With the OHAFC Veterans struggling for numbers as usual on Sunday morning, skipper John Wyn-Evans moved heaven and earth to get a game played and a combined OHAFC/Highfield Vets took on a new opponent, St Agatha's Vets, a Catholic school based in Kingston-upon-Thames.

In the end, the two sides produced a thoroughly entertaining game, or, as lone spectator Chris Carline dubbed it, 'a seven-goal thriller'.

Certainly the opening forty-five minutes would have kept Chris - oddly dressed in a pair of shorts given that the temperature was barely above freezing at kick-off - an interested onlooker as six goals were shared between the teams, the opener from Jon Ingram coming less than a minute into the game.

Any thoughts of a comfortable win for the hosts were quickly dispelled however when St Agatha's hit back to secure a 3-1 lead in quick time, in no small part to their Brazilian-looking striker who scored twice, one effort a fine curler into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The OHAFC/Highfield side regrouped and went in level at the break thanks to goals from Dom Danos and David Lederman.

Disappointingly, the second half failed to produce nearly as much entertainment with both defences looking more solid and both attacks tiring in the cloying mud that covered the central areas of the pitch at the Bank of England Ground.

Fortunately, the only goal of the half was scored by Danos, giving the hosts the win and, rather satisfyingly, meaning that despite fielding several guests, Harrow's four goals had all been scored by genuine Old Harrovians.

Dom missed his chance for a hat-trick when he somehow headed wide from a yard in front of the goal, but the enduring memory of the second period will undoubtedly be the sight of Jon Ingram lying on the ground appealing, in vain, for a penalty. This happened on three occasions and, following discussions afterwards in the dressing room, his three appeals could have been categorised as follows: stonewall, possible, unlikely.

Referee Giles Paul should not be expecting a Christmas card from the Ingram family this year. Jon can possibly expect a retrospective yellow card for simulation from Giles if he's lucky.

The Vets return to action in a fortnight with either a friendly against the Bank of England or a Cup match against Malvern.