Following two rather chastening defeats to the top two sides in Division One over the past fortnight, the OHAFC 1st XI stopped the rot with an entertaining and fully deserved 4-4 draw against the side just above them in the table, the Old Kimboltonians. The Blues got off to a dreadful start, conceding twice inside the opening ten minutes, but recovered to restore parity courtesy of goals from the two Bick brothers, Charlie and Harry. A goalkeeping error from Tom Mitchell allowed the visitors to head into the break ahead once more, but within a minute of the restart the sides were level again as skipper Dan Firoozan scored. Kimbolton led for the third time in the game with twenty minutes remaining, but Jamie Jordache finally ensured the hosts would earn a share of the spoils, both sides missing presentable opportunities to late on to snatch victory. Whilst the manner of the overall performance was pleasing, the nature of all four goals conceded was hugely frustrating, with Harrovian errors having a part to play in all four.

For the first time this season, skipper Dan Firoozan was able to name a full squad of fourteen for a game – coincidentally, the last time he was afforded this luxury was in the corresponding fixture last season, played on the Sunley Field, in which the two sides played out a 1-1 draw. Half of the fourteen who featured in that game back in February 2025 appeared here, although there was some continuity at the back, with the whole of the back five who played against the Ardinians a week ago lining up here. There was also a significant return on the subs bench, with winger Will Payne, a standout player for the OHAFC over the last few seasons, finally able to play following a lengthy spell out with various ailments.

On a damp, cloudy day on the Hill, the home side got off to the worst possible start, gifting their opponents two goals inside the first ten minutes. Both the Harrovian centre-backs were culpable, Ed Beecham and Ali Buckley, both attempting unwise balls forward out of defence and only succeeding in presenting the Kimbolton striker with the simple task of firing past Tom Mitchell – a feat he managed with consummate ease.

Unsurprisingly, it took the home side a while to recover from this setback, but the Blues steadily began to work their way back into the game and they gave themselves a glimmer of hope when a lightning-quick counter-attack ended with Charlie Bick driving into the box and sweeping home from fifteen yards out with an excellent finish. Ten minutes later, with the home side now looking dangerous, younger brother Harry followed up Charlie’s finish with a similar effort of his own, another flowing Harrow move rounded off with a fine finish.

But, infuriatingly, within five minutes of restoring parity, the home side fell behind again and once more the goal could so easily have been avoided. This time it was keeper Tom Mitchell at fault, spilling a long free-kick as he rose to claim possession, the ball dropping perfectly for the striker to fire in and complete his hat-trick.

With options available on the bench, skipper Dan Firoozan used the half-time interval to shuffle his pack. Will Payne was introduced for his first action of the season, as was left-back Jack Dolbey. This freed Harry Bick to play higher up the pitch, Owain James and Andy Hutchinson, both 2s regulars, the men giving way. The changes paid off almost instantaneously. Straight from kick-off Ed Beecham launched a long ball forwards down the left, Payne beat the rather sluggish defender and crossed the ball into the box for Firoozan to run onto and guide a simple finish past the keeper from ten yards out – his first goal of the season.

It was now anyone’s game and both sides poured forwards in search of the next goal, several half-chances being created at either end. But, ridiculously, with twenty minutes remaining and for the third time in the game, yet another stray pass out from the back by a Harrovian defender presented the disbelieving Kimbolton striker with a free run on goal. Once more, the finish was true and for the third time in the game the hosts found themselves trailing.

It would have been easy for the Blues to shrink into their shell and accept their fate at this stage, but to their credit they continued to press and ten minutes from time were rewarded for their endeavours when a corner was one on the left. Payne whipped the ball in, Beecham flicked on at the near post and Jamie Jordache ghosted in at the far post to tap the ball in. Now it was the Kimboltonians who were enraged, seeing a third lead of the game extinguished.

The final couple of minutes saw both sides come within inches of snatching the win, Ed Beecham the main protagonist on each occasion. With the ninety minutes almost up, the centre-back spurned a glorious chance to earn the Blues victory when he sent a free header flying inches over the bar from a free-kick. But a moment later, at the other end, it was his defensive qualities called upon to save the day, a superb last-ditch tackle preventing the Kimbolton forward from running clean through on goal.

Once the dust had settled, a draw was probably a fair result, although both sides will perhaps be wondering what might have been on another occasion. It was certainly solid evidence that neither side is likely to challenge for promotion this season, but neither are they likely to struggle keeping clear of the drop zone – a theory that will be put to the test next week when the OHAFC host bottom side the Old Wykehamists on the Hill, a side yet to earn a point so far this season.