Old Haberdashers 5 OHAFC II 3

A frustrating opening day fixture for the 2s saw the side lose in an 8 goal thriller. While Harrow played much of the better football on the day the Haberdashers’ aerial threat proved lethal, with a handful of gargantuan blue eyed monsters making their way into the Harrow penalty area every set piece.

After a tentative first half an hour, in which both sides were finding their feet on the long grass of the Chiswick pitches after long summers away, Haberdashers broke the deadlock. Charlie McHardy came out bravely to claim a loose ball, but unfortunately the Habs striker nicked it away from him just before he could get to it. After a long suck of his teeth Hugh Wylie – who controlled a surprisingly testy encounter well throughout - pointed to the spot. The spot kick was then drilled into the top right hand corner, giving McHardy no chance.

Following the half-time break, in which Harrow had resolved to continue to play passing football, the visitors began to show their quality. It was therefore doubly disappointing that Habs scored next, against the run of play. A loose pass in midfield gave them the opportunity to break, with the Habs forward showing pace and power to drill the ball in at the near post.

Harrow then replied – Taunton-Collins was fouled cynically after making a run towards the box, took the free kick on the edge of the area and found George Pratt who sent a powerful header into the roof of the net. 2-1. Harrow spirits were lifted as they charged with the ball towards the centre circle.

Habs then responded to Harrow’s reply with another goal – this time the ball being poked into the corner of the net from inside the area. The Blues replied however - Tristan David whipping in a good ball from wide left which worked its way over the defence to Taunton-Collins at the far post. His volley took a deflection but it was not enough to prevent the ball going in over the keeper. Notable mention should be given the David brothers – Tristan and Will – who combined effectively down the left, often bewildering their captain and opposition alike with swift positional interchanges. We look forward to them playing many more games in the years to come.

Haberdashers then scored to make it 4-2. Harrow scored their third through Dave Howells, who was industrious all afternoon having been given the unenviable task of playing up front on his own. A George Pratt shot was spilled by the Habs keeper and Dave was quick to pounce and tuck away the loose ball. The final Haberdashers goal came with 10 minutes to go.

Harrow will be encouraged by the attacking promise shown in the game, and with many key players still to join the squad will only get stronger as the season progresses. Preparation for Brentwood in two weeks’ time will begin following a week’s interval for the Jubilee Cup.

Team lineup can be viewed here.