Continuing our look back at OHAFC fixtures played on the corresponding weekend over the previous five seasons – this weekend has seen six games played but oddly enough only a single 1st XI fixture – and there is no game for the 1’s this season either…

Last Season: February 15th 2014

OHAFC 2nd XI 3 Old Stoics 2 (aet: 90mins 2-2), Junior League Cup 2nd Round:

A dramatic second round win for the Harrow 2’s on the School astroturf, with the winner coming in the first period of extra-time courtesy of Dave Stead.

Stead had given the hosts the lead inside the opening half-hour when he turned inside the box to fire home a cross from Joe Bone. Harrow held their lead to half-time although the visitors had proved that they were not playing just to make up the numbers.

After a narrow escape, when skipper Orr-Ewing headed narrowly over from a corner, Stowe broke up the other end at pace to equalise and they were to grab the lead with twenty minutes remaining despite the hosts looking the stronger side.

The goal shook the Blues and they poured forward, earning rewards for their determination when Cyprian Owen-Edmunds was hauled down inside the box. Conti von Hirsch coolly converted and with no goals inside the final quarter of an hour, extra-time was necessary.

For the second time in the game, the Bone-Stead combination bore fruit and Harrow scored the vital fifth goal, the striker coolly lobbing the opposition ‘keeper to send the Blues into the quarter-final.

Old Millhillians 2 OHAFC 3rd XI 3:

After a remarkable 4-4 draw played out earlier in the season, these two sides again put on an entertaining display for those present – the game was actually played on the Harrow School astroturf, the Mill Hill pitches not fit for purpose.

The ‘home side’ took the lead from a free-kick against the run of play after a strong start from Harrow but strangely, given the final scoreline, there were to be no further goals before the break.

Ten minutes into the second period Harry Richardson, making his first appearance for the 3’s that season, slotted the ball in from the edge of the box to level the scores. Pom Beeley then gave Harrow the lead with another well-taken effort.

Mill Hill hit back hard and levelled with just under half an hour to go to set up an intriguing final thirty minutes. Referee Stuart Borman was to have the vital final say when he awarded the Blues a penalty following a shove on David Howells. The striker took on the responsibility from the spot and duly converted to give Azhar Khan’s men a fine win.

Two Seasons Ago: February 16th 2013:

OHAFC 2nd XI 0 Aldenham 2’s 3:

The Harrow 2’s suffered a third consecutive defeat when suffering at the hands of a strong Aldenham side on the Harrow School New Fields.

After a promising start, the hosts fell behind after half an hour when they failed to deal with a long throw. Arjun Chopra’s men continued to play well in patches but couldn’t find the cutting edge to get them back on level terms.

In contrast, despite seeing little of the ball, the visitors were proving lethal in attack, with a breakaway goal ten minutes into the second period giving them a two-goal cushion. Ten minutes later and an almost carbon copy effort sealed the points for the yellow shirts, this despite a late penalty for the hosts that Freddie Brunt was to miss – an ill-fitting way to end the game after Brunt’s excellent performance.

OHAFC 3rd XI 4 Old Chigwellians 3rd XI 2:

A superb strike from Alex Breeden and a second-half brace from Alex Gilbert gave the OHAFC 3rd XI a vital win at home to promotion-chasing Chigwell 3's on the New Fields, Harrow on Saturday afternoon.

The home side, who began the match with ten men thanks to a late arrival, took the lead midway through the first half when a Chigwell clearance fell to midfielder Breeden five yards outside the box - he struck it superbly first-time, the ball arrowing into the far corner past a static Chigwell 'keeper.

The next two goals, one for either side before the break, were both fortunate - the visitors' coming directly from a long free-kick which evaded everybody as it travelled across the box and into the far corner of Charlie Walsh's goal, the home side's in similar circumstances when a cross from the left looped over the 'keeper and two defenders stationed on the line.

The half ended a minute prematurely however when a nasty clash of heads left Harrow's Jack Robinson and a visiting player both with blood pouring from gashes just above their eyes. The two players were escorted from the field by Fred Woolley and later taken to Northwick Park Hospital for treatment. With Harrow not having a substitute, they were forced to play the second half with ten men.

It didn't show however. Whilst Chigwell enjoyed more possession, they were unable to create any meaningful chances, one fine save from Walsh apart. Whilst at the other end, Alex Gilbert waged a one-man war on the Chigwell back four, constantly out-pacing them and latching onto balls over the top that he had little right to get to.

Gilbert scored twice in such circumstances, the first a cool side-foot at the near post, the second thundered into the roof of the net via the underside of the crossbar. Chigwell pulled a goal back with twenty minutes remaining but Harrow held firm to ensure the win and three vital points in their fight against relegation.

Three Seasons Ago: February 11th 2012

No OHAFC Fixtures

Four Seasons Ago: February 12th 2011

No OHAFC Fixtures

Five Seasons Ago: February 13th 2010

OHAFC 1st XI 2 Old KCS Wimbledon 3 (aet: 2-2 after 90mins), Arthur Dunn Cup Quarter-Final:

Harrow's hopes of Dunn Cup success were dashed for the season when they lost a tight, tense affair 3-2 at home to KCS Wimbledon, the match going into extra-time.

Harrow never quite had the measure of their opponents physical approach and although skipper Quentin Baker led by example to score twice and give his side hope, a goal midway through the first period of extra-time was sufficient for KCS Wimbledon to progress.

OHAFC 2nd XI 0 Old Carthusian 3rd XI 4:

A miserable day for the Harrow 2’s who went down 4-0 to a rampant Charterhouse third string, who took advantage of the fact that the hosts were missing several regular players.

The day got worse for the hosts in the second half when skipper Harry Woolley suffered a broken leg and had to be taken to hospital – once his dad had ensured the corner flags were going to be properly collected!

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

5 Years Ago: February 14th 2010

UK Singles Chart No.1: Owl City “Fireflies”

Premier League top three: 1st Chelsea 58pts from 26 games, 2nd Man Utd 57 (26), 3rd Arsenal 52 (26)

Premier League bottom three: 18th Bolton 23 (25), 19th Burnley 23 (25), 20th Portsmouth 16 (25)

10 Years Ago: February 15th 2005

UK Singles Chart No.1: Eminem “Like Toy Soldiers”

Premier League top three: 1st Chelsea 68 (27), 2nd Manchester United 59 (27), 3rd Arsenal 57 (27)

Premier League bottom three: 18th Norwich City 20 (27), 19th Southampton 19 (26), 20th West Brom 17 (26)

20 years Ago: February 15th 1995

UK Singles Chart No.1: Celine Dion “Think Twice”

Premier League top three: 1st Blackburn Rovers 62 (28), 2nd Manchester Utd 60 (28), 3rd Newcastle 51 (28)

Premier League bottom three: 20th Wes Ham Utd 29 (27), 21st Ipswich Town 20 (27), 22nd Leicester City 19 (27)