On this weekend...
Today we take a look back at the last five years' worth of games for the three OHAFC teams on this weekend...
Five Seasons Ago: October 24th 2009
Old Kings Wimbledon 3 OHAFC 1st XI 2: The 1st XI fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat after making a shocking start in south London. Three goals down inside half an hour, the visitors rallied to score twice in a second half they dominated.
Freddie Brunt scored an excellent goal and Lederman converted from the spot following a handball but despite hitting the woodwork twice and coming close on several other occasions the Blues couldn’t find the equaliser their play deserved.
Old Aldenhamians 2’s 5 OHAFC 2nd XI 2: The Harrow 2’s were well-beaten in north London thanks to some sloppy defending contributing to the concession of five goals.
A first-half effort from Bemini Soyinka made the score 2-1 to the hosts at the break but in the second half Aldenham raced into a 5-1 lead, debutant goalkeeper Alasdair Pritchard left exposed by some poor marking. Harry Woolley scored a consolation late on.
Four Seasons Ago: October 23rd 2010
OHAFC 2nd XI 1 Old Salopians 2’s 2: The Harrow 2’s went down to the odd goal in three at home to the Old Salopians 2’s despite taking the lead through Nick Bartlett.
Three Seasons Ago: October 22nd 2011
Lancing Old Boys 1 OHAFC 1st XI 1: The Harrow 1st XI earned a hard-fought draw away to Lancing but could have forced the win after the home side were reduced to ten men with half an hour to go.
Following a poor start to the season, the Blues approached the game determined to show an improved performance but despite enjoying a good start, fell behind prior to the break when a long goal-kick bounced over the back four and was comfortably fired home.
Harrow continued to press in the second half, de Rougemont, Martins and Pepys all going close to forcing the equaliser. Lancing were reduced to ten men following an injury (they had already used their one sub) and Harrow pressed on, switching to three at the back and sending an extra man forwards.
They were rewarded for their endeavours when referee David Mann generously pointed to the spot following a shove on Olly Hadden-Paton. Lederman safely converted and had a chance to win it late on with a free-kick just outside the box – his effort curled narrowly over however.
Two Seasons Ago: October 27th 2012
OHAFC 1st XI 2 Old Chigwellians 1 – Arthur Dunn Cup 1st Round: The OHAFC progressed into the second round of the Cup thanks to a magnificent strike from midfielder Ed Arghebant.
A nasty eye injury forced striker Luke de Rougemont off after less than half an hour but his replacement, young Charlie Stebbings, made an immediate impact, scoring with an excellent header to give Harrow the lead.
Chigwell were back on level terms after an hour when an innocuous cross into the Harrow box bounced up and hit Ed Martins on the arm, the referee immediately signalling for a penalty that was duly dispatched.
But in appalling conditions the grim prospect of extra-time was averted with just under twenty minutes remaining when Ed Arghebant thumped a stunning volley in from 22 yards out, the ball arcing perfectly over the Chigwell 'keeper and into the top of the net.
The win earned Harrow a home tie against Tonbridge in round two.
OHAFC 3rd XI 0 Old Cholmeleian’s 3’s 5: A chastening defeat for Theo Gordon’s 3rd XI, who were never in the game against their counterparts from Highgate.
Last Season: October 26th 2013
OHAFC 1st XI 2 Old Etonians 2: For the third game in five, the OHAFC were forced to come from behind to rescue a point, this time against their Old Enemy.
In strong winds on the Hill the home side made a poor start, being undone by a simple long ball over the top after twenty minutes. The Blues nearly pulled a goal back shortly before the break when an excellent move culminated in Lederman chipping the ‘keeper but seeing his effort cleared off the line.
The second half was a fractious affair with referee Nicky Bloom handing out several yellow cards. More importantly, he awarded a penalty to the visitors following a trip by Fred Coleridge-Cole. Trailing by two goals with barely twenty minutes remaining, things did not look good for the home side.
But the culprit for Eton’s second goal began the Harrow fight back, heading home from a corner to cut the deficit to one. And an unlikely point was earned just three minutes from time when a second penalty was awarded by the referee following a highly controversial incident: Harry Hoffen’s goalbound effort was blocked on the line by an Etonian defender’s arm, the ball clearly over the line. Instead of allowing the goal to stand, the referee decided to send off the Etonian and award a penalty instead. Fortunately, Lederman kept his nerve to convert and ensure a share of the points.
OHAFC 2nd XI 0 Old Etonians 2’s 2: No such luck for Jack Orr-Ewing’s 2nd XI who went down to two second half Eton goals.
The skipper, forced to play in goal, was largely untroubled in a goalless first half in which the visitors made the better start, but Harrow gradually fought their way back into the game.
The first goal came on the hour when an Etonian corner wasn’t properly dealt with and, following a goalmouth scramble, was converted from close range. With ten minutes remaining the visitors made sure of the points when their best player beat Orr-Ewing from close range with a neat side-footed finish.
There was further bad news for the 2’s, with striker Dave Stead suffering a badly sprained ankle, an injury likely to keep him out of action for a couple of weeks.
Old Brentwoods 4’s 2 OHAFC 3rd XI 3: Result of the day went to the 3rd XI who produced a fine display to defeat Brentwood’s 4th XI in Essex.
Star of the show was unheralded striker Oli Malin-Hyams who scored two stunning goals inside thirty minutes, the first a back-post header, the second a speculative effort from over thirty yards which looped over the stunned goalkeeper and into the top corner of the goal.
The second half was a much more scrappy affair as the hosts fought hard to get back on level terms. They pulled a goal back minutes after the break but Will Pridham restored the visitors’ two-goal cushion soon after.
A second Brentwood goal left Harrow to hang on for the final quarter of an hour and they did so magnificently, all eleven players exhausted at the final whistle.
On this Weekend...Premier League and Top of the Pops:
5 Years Ago: October 24th 2009
UK Singles Chart No.1: Alexandra Burke featuring Flo Rida “Bad Boys”
Premier League top three: 1st Chelsea 24pts from 10 games, 2nd Man Utd 22 (10), 3rd Arsenal 19 (9)
Premier League bottom three: 18th Hull City 8 (10), 19th West Ham 6 (9), 20th Portsmouth 4 (10)
10 Years Ago: October 23rd 2004
UK Singles Chart No.1: Eric Prydz “Call on Me”
Premier League top three: 1st Arsenal 25 (10), 2nd Chelsea 23 (10), 3rd Everton 22 (10)
Premier League bottom three: 18th Southampton 6 (10), 19th Norwich City 6 (10), 20th Blackburn 6 (10)
20 years Ago: October 22nd 1994
UK Singles Chart No.1: Take That “Sure”
Premier League top three: 1st Newcastle 29 (11), 2nd Nottm Forest 27 (11), 3rd Man Utd 22 (11)
Premier League bottom three: 20th QPR 7 (11), 21st Ipswich Town 7 (11), 22nd Everton 3 (11)