A depleted OHAFC 2nd XI side ended their season in fairly farcical circumstances with a 9-1 mauling at the hands of a rejuvenated Old Chigwellians 2s in northeast London on Saturday morning. With the OHAFC 3s involved in a do-or-die relegation scrap at home to the Old King’s Scholars, the late change of fixture date meant numerous regulars were away for this trip, with joint-captain Tristan David serving the second game of his two-match suspension. An unfamiliar back four that included debutant Harry Sizer failed to cope with a vastly different Chigs side to the one that was beaten 4-2 on the Hill at the end of November. The visitors conceded almost immediately and the game was over by half-time, Chigs 8-1 to the good. Although the defeat, the 2s’ worst since an 11-0 hammering at home to the Old Etonians 2s on the opening day of the 2021/22 season, was a shock to the system, in reality it has little bearing on the side’s final league placing or the overall performance level this season.

Miles Kellock was tasked with sorting the eleven available players into the best shape possible, with several OHAFC committee members having worked frantically all week in a bid to field a full side. Sizer was dropped in at centre-back alongside Giacomo Grasso, with Steve Dickson-Tetteh, who hasn’t been seen in Harrow colours since a couple of appearances for the 3s in the 2022/23 season, at right-back, Archie Nicholls on the left. The remainder of the side had a more familiar feel to it, with the exception of Henry Bamford, who played in the ten role having featured in only a solitary 2s game previously this season.

On a hard, bumpy pitch at the Old Chigwellians Club, it was clear from the outset that the hosts would prove a very different proposition to the side that were defeated in the reverse fixture. Playing through the Harrow press with some ease, passes were sprayed out to either wing and attacks were launched with fearsome regularity. The visitors simply could not cope and although keeper Rory Craig made some excellent saves, the goals soon began flying in. Within twenty minutes the game was over as a contest, by half-time it was clear embarrassment would not be avoided. The lone bright moment came on the half-hour when a decent Harrow move down the left saw Geoff Taunton-Collin earn a corner – Kellock delivered into the box and the ball fell kindly for Owain James to slam home his fourth goal of the campaign.

The second half proved a more even affair, the hosts clearly taking pity on their opponents and their foot off the gas, a lone effort ensuring the final tally remained in single figures. The Blues maintained their effort levels until the final whistle but it was clearly a totally unenjoyable experience for the eleven and a rather sad note on which to end what had been, up to that point at least, a pretty decent season. The news that the OHAFC 3s had won to confirm their survival in Division Four at least ensured the day had not been a total waste and both sides can look forward to next season and starting afresh.