Continuing our look back through the OHAFC archives at games played on this weekend last season, three seasons ago and five seasons ago...

Last Season: December 14th 2013

Old Brentwoods 2’s 5 OHAFC 2nd XI 4:

A young Harrow side made the trip to Essex to face Brentwood with, as usual, the home side’s pitches in a poor state. The visitors didn’t help themselves however with two players turning up seconds before kick-off and a third not arriving until the second half.

An entertaining first half saw both teams score within a minute of each other midway through the period: Brentwood opened the scoring following sloppy passing from the visitors rearguard but Harrow responded immediately when Cater crossed for Stebbings to volley home.

The pattern was repeated soon after when Brentwood re-took the lead direct from a corner only for Harrow to respond again almost immediately when Cater controlled a ball from the left and slotted home in composed fashion.

Remarkably, the second half began with the two sides trading goals yet again in almost identical fashion: a mix-up at the back allowed the hosts to take a 3-2 lead but, for the third time, Harrow equalised moments later when Jack Robinson crossed for Stebbings to back-heel in from close range.

The match took a decisive turn midway through the half when two Harrow mistakes cost them the chance of returning to London with a point. A slip from Simon Maydon allowed a simple finish for the hosts’ fourth, a deflected cross off Max Curry’s shoulder gifting them the fifth.

Harrow scored the final goal of the game with fifteen minutes remaining, Breeden heading home Cater’s cross, but despite applying pressure at the death, the visitors could not find their way through for the equaliser.

OHAFC 3rd XI 1 Old Brentwoods 4’s 3:

Another Harrow v Brentwood clash took place back on the Hill with the Blues’ 3rd XI taking on the visitors fourth-choice side – the two teams had already met earlier in the season and that match provided Harrow with their sole victory to date.

This time it was a different story with the visitors running out 3-1 winners. Again, Harrow preparations were not good, with several players arriving late but the hosts managed to reach the interval with the scoreline blank despite Brentwood having the better of the play.

Playing into the wind in the second period, Azhar Khan’s men made a fine start, taking the lead through a close-range Benjy Sewell strike ten minutes into the half. But the joy was short-lived as the visitors hit back to score twice in quick succession.

A fine solo effort shortly before the end saw the game put to bed, although there were several positives to take from the performance, not least that of Harry Turner at the back, who again excelled in his defensive duties.

Two seasons ago: December 15th 2012

Old Aldenhamians 2’s 7 OHAFC 2nd XI 0:

A chastening experience for the Harrow 2’s as they were put to the sword by a remarkable performance from Aldenham, who scored seven goals, nearly of which were of the highest quality. Indeed, despite the scoreline Harrow ‘keeper Alasdair Pritchard performed superbly to keep the score down to just seven.

Quentin Baker completed his first 90 minutes of the season in midfield following his return from injury – about the only positive to come from the day.

Three Seasons Ago: December 10th 2011

OHAFC 1st XI 2 Old Chigwellians 1:

The Harrow 1st XI returned to the Hill for their first game in a month and their final League game of the year.

Conditions were excellent and the hosts nearly made the perfect start, a Luke de Rougemont strike ruled out for offside after only five minutes.

Harrow continued to enjoy the better of the early exchanges and had several chances to open the scoring before the break: Harry Hoffen hit the bar with a header from an Ed Martins free-kick, Baker fired narrowly over from close range and then came even closer to scoring when a close-range effort from a long throw by Milln was hacked clear off the line. But the visitors held on to ensure the sides went in at the break level.

Harrow began the second period poorly, their passing losing much of the fluency shown in the first half and with twenty minutes remaining and the scoreline still blank, the destination of the points was still anybody’s guess.

Two goals in the space of three minutes did little to solve matters, Harrow taking the lead when a long throw was hooked back across goal by Hadden-Paton for Hoffen to volley in, the visitors responding thanks to a cross-shot which was parried by goalkeeper Raffety allowing a simple finish.

Tempers were beginning to flare as the match reached the final ten minutes, with both sides sensing victory could be theirs. Thankfully the crucial goal went the way of the home side and from a customary source: Harry Hoffen sprinting clear of the back four to latch onto a long ball before unselfishly squaring for Luke de Rougemont to slot home.

This game also saw the 1st debut of young midfielder Alex Breeden, who came on as a second half substitute.

Four Seasons Ago: December 11th 2010

OHAFC 1st XI 1 Old Radleians 3 – Arthur Dunn Cup 1st Rd:

A hugely disappointing day for the 1st XI who were dumped out of the Dunn Cup at the first hurdle, losing 3-1 at home to Division One team Radley on the School astroturf.

Quentin Baker gave the hosts the lead on the half-hour mark but a depleted Harrow team never looked capable of keeping a clean sheet and the visitors duly took advantage of the makeshift back four to score three times and consign the hosts to concentrating on the League.

Five Seasons Ago: December 12th 2009:

Old Salopians 0 OHAFC 1st XI 2:

A tough encounter on a poor pitch in Chiswick was eventually settled in the visitors’ favour thanks to second half goals from the two leading goalscorers, Harry Hoffen and Luke de Rougemont.

The win ensured Harrow went into the Christmas break on top of the Premier Division table.

Old Chigwellians 2’s 3 OHAFC 2nd XI 4:

A remarkable game for the Harrow 2’s up at Chigwell in a game played in pouring rain throughout.

Harry Gibson scored the opener for the visitors but they were second best for the majority of the half and conceded three times to the hosts.

The sides were level thanks to two penalties given less than five minutes apart, both of which were converted by Ed Arghebant. But the winning goal was even more remarkable, a magnificent strike from nearly 40 yards out by Charlie Bick, who spotted the ‘keeper was off his line and volleyed his effort from yards inside the Chigwell half.

Harrow held out for the final ten minutes to earn three valuable points.

On this Weekend...Premier League and Top of the Pops:

5 Years Ago: December 13th 2009

UK Singles Chart No.1: Peter Kay's Animated All-Star Band "BBC Children in Need Medley"

Premier League top three: 1st Chelsea 37pts from 16 games, 2nd Man Utd 34 (16), 3rd Arsenal 31 (15)

Premier League bottom three: 18th West Ham Utd 14 (16), 19th Bolton 13 (15), 20th Portsmouth 11 (16)

10 Years Ago: December 14th 2004

UK Singles Chart No.1: Band Aid 20 “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

Premier League top three: 1st Chelsea 40 (17), 2nd Everton 36 (17), 3rd Arsenal 35 (17)

Premier League bottom three: 18th Blackburn Rovers 14 (17), 19th Southampton 13 (17), 20th West Brom 10 (17)

20 years Ago: December 12th 1994

UK Singles Chart No.1: East 17 “Stay Another Day”

Premier League top three: 1st Blackburn Rovers 42 (18), 2nd Manchester Utd 41 (18), 3rd Newcastle Utd 37 (18)

Premier League bottom three: 20th Aston Villa 16 (18), 21st Leicester City 13 (18), 22nd Ipswich Town 11 (18)