Continuing our look back at OHAFC fixtures played on the corresponding weekend over the previous five seasons:

Last Season: January 11th 2014

OHAFC 1st XI 1 Old Cholmeleians 0:

The OHAFC 1st XI chose the perfect occasion to register their first clean sheet of the season as a first-half penalty from David Lederman proved sufficient to secure three vital points against a relegation-threatened Old Cholmelians XI on the Hill.

The home side made a bright start and soon took control of possession against a Cholms team that had caused problems for the hosts in recent encounters.

Despite enjoying plenty of the ball, the Blues struggled to carve out any clear cut chances. Verhagen looked the most threatening player, skipping past his full-back on several occasions without being able to supply the final ball.

The only goal of the game came shortly after the half-hour mark via the penalty spot. A flowing counter-attack saw the ball delivered dangerously into the box where Pepys appeared to be shoved as he was about to strike on goal. Lederman sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to maintain his near-perfect record from the spot.

The second half was a more prosaic affair with neither team able to carve out any clear-cut chances, much to Harrow’s relief, and the home side hung on to claim three valuable points as they looked to climb up the table.

Old Eastbournians 1 OHAFC 2nd XI 3, Junior League Cup 1st Round:

The 2nd XI also got their year off to a winning start with a comfortable victory at Eastbourn in the first round of the Junior League Cup.

Skipper Jack Orr-Ewing opened the scoring with a spectacular effort, the centre-half acrobatically twisting to send his overhead kick looping into the top corner. It was later described as ‘the goal of the season’ by none other than the scorer himself!

But he, and his team, were brought back down to earth shortly before the break when a loose defensive header by the goalscorer allowed Eastbourn to equalise.

Fortunately, the visitors upped their performance in the second half and earned their place in the hat for round two thanks to goals from Max Curry and Cyprian Owen-Edmunds.

Two Seasons Ago: January 12th 2013

OHAFC 1st XI 3 Old Carthusians 4:

One of the more infamous meetings between the previous decade’s top two Arthurian League teams saw the visitors snatch victory with a stunning late strike following an incident-packed game on the Hill.

It took only three minutes for the blue touch-paper to be lit, with a controversial penalty decision from referee Alan Higgs (not for the last time in this game), penalising Fred Milln for a tangle of legs and gifiting Charterhouse the chance to take the lead.

Harrow, having struggled initially, were back on level terms on the half hour mark thanks to a fine team goal that ended with Lederman crossing for Harder to fire home from just outside the box. But parity lasted for just a few minutes, the visitors re-taking the lead from a corner.

The home side improved after the break and after a spell of sustained pressure earned their reward when good persistence by Nick Defty saw him take advantage of a defensive error to level the score.

The game turned in favour of the visitors with twenty minutes remaining when Fred Milln received his second yellow card for a lunging tackle on the Charterhouse skipper and the referee made sure he finished the afternoon as the least popular person on the Hill when he pointed for another spot-kick following an innocuous challenge at a corner, Raffety unable to prevent the leaders going in front.

Remarkably, despite playing with ten men the hosts levelled for a third time thanks to a fine strike from substitute Charlie Stebbings but Harrow hearts were broken a few minutes from time when a sensational run and strike from the right wing sentenced the game in favour of the visitors.

OHAFC 3rd XI 2 Old Westminsters 2’s 2:

An equally entertaining game took place on the adjoining pitch with the OHAFC 3rd XI coming from behind to earn a point thanks to a last-minute goal from skipper Theo Gordon.

Westminster’s second string twice took the lead but the hosts hit back firstly through striker Alex Gilbert and then through their captain to at least remove some of the bitter taste left in the mouth of the 1st XI players.

Three Seasons Ago: January 7th 2012

OHAFC 1st XI 2 Old Carthusians 1:

Again, the OHAFC 1st XI began a calendar year with a home fixture against their main rivals in the Premier Division but this time the Dark Blues came out on top.

The only goal of an even first-half came courtesy of a set-piece, Lederman’s corner finding Milln at the back post and although his header was cleared off the line, the referee eventually signalled for a goal, much to the visitors’ chagrin.

Harrow began to dominate their opponents as the game wore on and doubled their lead with twenty minutes remaining thanks to a lightning fast counter-attack that saw Baker feed Hoffen, leaving him with just the ‘keeper to beat. As is so often the case, there was only one outcome.

Charterhouse were given some hope two minutes from time when a trip on the edge of the box by Milln allowed the visitors to pull one back from the penalty spot but the centre-half redeemed himself moments later, foiling a promising attack to ensure the hosts held on for three well-deserved points.

Old Aldenhamians 2’s 5 OHAFC 2nd XI 1:

Not such a good day for the Harrow second string as they were comprehensively outplayed by a strong Aldenham outfit in north London. Rupert Hoffen scored the only goal for the visitors shortly before time – a true ‘consolation goal’ if ever there was one.

Four Seasons Ago: January 8th 2011

OHAFC 1st XI 2 Old Chigwellians 4:

After the disappointment of the defeat to Radley in the first round of the Arthur Dunn Cup prior to Christmas, the 1st XI returned to action in 2011 determined to pick up some much-needed League points and climb up the Premier Division table.

Sadly however, a poor defensive display saw them concede four goals to Chigwell, a team they had dominated earlier in the season, and slump to a dispiriting defeat.

Despite taking the lead through a fine flicked header from Olly Hadden-Paton, who scored both the side's goals, Harrow were unable to keep them out at the other end, the old Achilles heel of defending set pieces returning to haunt the team.

Old Salopian 2’s 3 OHAFC 2nd XI 1:

A 3-1 defeat in Chiswick completed a miserable day for the Club with bemini Soyinka’s late goal again proving little by way of consolation for Arjun Chopra’s men.

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

5 Years Ago: January 11th 2010

UK Singles Chart No.1: Lady Gaga “Bad Romance”

Premier League top three: 1st Chelsea 45pts from 20 games, 2nd Man Utd 44 (21), 3rd Arsenal 42 (20)

Premier League bottom three: 18th Bolton 18 (18), 19th Hull City 18 (20), 20th Portsmouth 14 (20)

10 Years Ago: January 12th 2005

UK Singles Chart No.1: Steve Brookstein “Against All Odds”

Premier League top three: 1st Chelsea 55 (22), 2nd Arsenal 48 (22), 3rd Manchester United 44 (22)

Premier League bottom three: 18th Norwich City 16 (22), 19th Southampton 15 (22), 20th West Brom 13 (22)

20 years Ago: January 10th 1995

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

Premier League top three: 1st Blackburn Rovers 52 (22), 2nd Manchester Utd 49 (23), 3rd Liverpool 45 (23)

Premier League bottom three: 20th Everton 22 (22), 21st Ipswich Town 16 (23), 22nd Leicester City 15 (23)