Continuing our look back at OHAFC fixtures played on the corresponding weekend over the previous five seasons – this weekend has seen just six games played, including two heavy defeats in big cup games for the 1st and 2nd XI’s…

Last Season: March 8th 2014

Old Berkhamstedians 2 OHAFC 2nd XI 2:

On a beautiful early spring afternoon, Jack Orr-Ewing took a strong 2nd XI squad the short trip to face a strong Berkhamsted side that had beaten them 2-0 just a fortnight previously. Sadly, the pitch did not match the weather, with a small, uneven surface greeting the players on arrival in Barn Elms.

A pragmatic approach was therefore decided upon, with special consideration given to the long throws of Alex Cater, a weapon that had proved more than useful during the course of the season. And the visitors could not have made a better start, scoring twice in the opening quarter of an hour, Cater’s throws causing havoc.

In the first minute the hosts’ back four under-estimated the distance the throw was going and left Dave Stead alone at the far post to head home from close range. Fifteen minutes later and another throw was only half-cleared to the edge of the box allowing Lederman to smash the ball back first-time on the half-volley.

The game should have been put to bed before the break when a defensive mix-up allowed Max Curry a shot at an empty goal but the angle proved too tight and the ball rolled agonisingly wide.

The second half proved trickier for the visitors as the hosts upped their intensity and forced the visitors into a series of hurried clearances. Despite this, the Blues looked comfortable enough with less than a quarter of an hour remaining and their two-goal lead intact. But a slight error from Orr-Ewing in goal allowed a tame shot to squirm past him and in injury time, with the visitors praying for the final whistle, a magnificent strike from the hosts’ best player left the ‘keeper with no chance, earning a less-than-deserved point for Berks.

It was a cruel end to the game for a team that had put in so much effort and had looked the likely winners for all but the final few minutes.

Two Seasons Ago: March 9th 2013:

• OHAFC 1st XI 0 Old Wykehamists 4, Arthur Dunn Cup semi-final:**
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A devastating defeat for the Harrow 1st XI who went into their first Dunn Cup semi-final in six years strong favourites against Division One Winchester.

The hosts began well enough and had barely been out of the Winchester half when the visitors scored against the run of play, a speculative through ball catching the Harrow defence napping and allowing a one-on-one against Luke Raffety.

Undeterred, the hosts continued to press and should have levelled when two good chances were wasted, Defty and Brunt the culprits.

Despite continuing in the ascendency in the second half, Harrow struggled to create any clear-cut chances and were stunned on the hour when a free-kick to the far post left two Wykehamists unmarked allowing a simple header in.

At this stage the visitors were content to sit on their lead and they dropped everyone back behind the ball. The tactic worked to perfection, with Harrow throwing caution to the wind they were twice caught on the counter leading to two excellent goals.

A thoroughly disappointing defeat that robbed the Blues of a first ever Dunn Cup final against old foes Charterhouse.

OHAFC 2nd XI 0 Lancing Old Boys 2’s 3:

News of the 1’s exit was swiftly followed by a similarly crushing loss for the 2’s in their Junior League Cup quarter-final against Lancing.

Just as in the 1st XI game, the hosts enjoyed the better of the first half but found themselves trailing 1-0 at the break, a free-kick not properly cleared leading to a tap-in for a handily-placed Lancing striker.

The second half again saw the home side press forwards but, again as in the 1’s match, they were twice caught on the counter-attack to end any hopes of a third consecutive appearance in the final.

Three Seasons Ago: March 4th 2012

OHAFC 2nd XI 3 Old Aldenhamians 2’s 2:

A vital win for the Harrow second string against Aldenham on the Hill but one that saw Harry Woolley’s side clinging on at the end.

The hosts led at the break thanks to three early goals, Brunt opening the scoring after ten minutes and adding a second shortly before the break. In between, Jonathan Best, playing in midfield, scored a rare goal himself and at this stage the game looked won.

But the visitors put up a tremendous fight in the second half and pulled two goals back to set up a tense finish. Fortunately the Blues held firm and claimed the win to help consolidate their position in Division Three.

Four Seasons Ago: March 5th 2011

OHAFC 2nd XI 5 Old Eastbournians 1:

A much more comfortable win on the Hill for Arjun Chopra’s men four seasons ago when they disposed of Eastbourne in style and, principally, thanks to one man: Gbemini Soyinka. The powerful, quick striker showed why his goal record was better than a goal per game with a virtuoso performance that left the visitors rearguard in tatters.

‘Bem’ scored all five of Harrow’s goal, completing his hat-trick inside the opening twenty minutes against his shell-shocked opponents. He had to wait until ten minutes after the break to score his fourth but kept going and in the last minute put the icing on the cake with his, and his team’s, fifth and final effort.

Five Seasons Ago: March 6th 2010

OHAFC 1st XI 3 Old Brentwoods 4:

A poor defensive display saw the OHAFC concede four goals at home to Brentwood and the deserved defeat at John Lyon School make the League title a vague possibility rather than the previous distinct possibility it had been.

With a fine pitch and glorious sunshine there were no excuses for the lapses in concentration which gifted the visitors three of their four goals. Having been defeated by a last-minute goal at home by Harrow a few weeks earlier, Brentwood were in little need of motivation or help in securing the win - this despite Harrow scoring three fine goals of their own through Ed Martins (2) and Harry Hoffen.

The defeat left the Blues with seven games remaining, including two against League leaders Charterhouse, and probably needing to win all seven to have a shot at the title.

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

5 Years Ago: March 10th 2010

UK Singles Chart No.1: Jason Derulo “In My Head”

Premier League top three: 1st Man Utd 63pts from 29 games, 2nd Chelsea 61 (28), 3rd Arsenal 61 (29)

Premier League bottom three: 18th Burnley 24 (29), 19th Hull City 24 (28), 20th Portsmouth 19 (28)

10 Years Ago: March 7th 2005

UK Singles Chart No.1: Nelly “Over and Over”

Premier League top three: 1st Chelsea 71 (28), 2nd Manchester United 63 (29), 3rd Arsenal 61 (29)

Premier League bottom three: 18th Southampton 24 (29), 19th West Brom 21 (28), 20th Norwich City 20 (29)

20 years Ago: March 8th 1995

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

Premier League top three: 1st Blackburn Rovers 72 (32), 2nd Manchester Utd 69 (32), 3rd Newcastle 60 (32)

Premier League bottom three: 20th Crystal Palace 31 (30), 21st Ipswich Town 23 (32), 22nd Leicester City 21 (31)