Continuing our look back at OHAFC fixtures played on the corresponding weekend over the previous five seasons – with several campaigns ending in either glorious success or cruel failure on this weekend…

Last Season: April 26th 2014

Old Cholmeleians 4 OHAFC 1st XI 1

As with this season, the 1st XI ended the 2013/14 campaign fielding a makeshift side and losing comfortably away to Cholms, the only difference being that last season relegation had already been avoided.

The difference in attitude between the sides was clear: Harrow arrived with one player not bothering to turn up and only managing to field eleven players thanks to a friend of goalkeeper David Griffiths who had come along to watch.

In contrast, despite having nothing to play for, Cholms had a full squad of fourteen and were well into their warm-up when Harrow began to trudge out of the changing rooms.

It was no surprise the hosts dominated the early stages of the game, taking the lead on twenty minutes. Harrow gradually worked their way back into the game and enjoyed plenty of possession without troubling the Cholms goalkeeper.

Two goals in a minute, both thanks to careless loss of possession, saw the hosts open up a three-goal cushion and despite schoolboy Dan Firoozan scoring with an excellent run and curling shot, a fourth for Cholms ensured the OHAFC ended the season well beaten.

Two Seasons Ago: April 27th 2013

OHAFC 1st XI 3 Old KCS Wimbledon 2

The OHAFC 1st XI finished their 2012/13 campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 win over a KCS Wimbledon team scrapping to avoid the drop.

Harrow eased into a 2-0 lead early in the second half without ever looking particularly comfortable: A Fred Milln long throw was flicked in at the near post by Fred Coleridge-Cole and ten minutes after the break the lead was doubled thanks to an excellent team goal that culminated in Freddie Brunt crossing for Luke de Rougemont to slide in and score.

When the visitors scored twice from crosses themselves it looked as though the visitors would have to cling on for a point. But Nick Defty scored an excellent third ten minutes from time to ensure the side finished the season with a perfectly symmetrical record of nine wins, nine defeats, 47 goals scored and 47 goals conceded.

Old Marlburians 3 OHAFC 2nd XI 1

Harrow began their vital final game of the season knowing that a win would secure their Division Three status for another season, anything else and they would be reliant on other results.

The side made a wonderful start to the game when Dave Stead scored a superb 30 yard screamer after half an hour, leaving the Marlburian ‘keeper without a chance to lay a glove on the ball.

But as the second half wore on the Blue shirts began to tire and the hosts took advantage, scoring the equaliser thanks to a deflection and a second soon after thanks to a fine turn and shot from a striker.

Max Curry was denied what looked a clear penalty with ten minutes remaining when he was grappled inside the box and further punishment was meted out when Marlborough scored a third five minutes from time to ensure the win.

Thankfully for Arjun Chopra’s men Marlborough were to win against KCS Wimbledon the following week, thereby preserving Harrow’s League status for the following season.

Three Seasons Ago: April 21st 2012

Old Haileyburians 1 OHAFC 1st XI 2

Finally a win for a Harrow team on the final day of the season, this one coming against a Haileybury team that was already relegated.

Things started in odd fashion for the visitors when Ed Poulter and Will Orr-Ewing were locked in the changing rooms before kick-off. Thankfully they escaped in time to take their place for the start of the game.

Harrow began well, testing the hosts’ ‘keeper but failing to take advantage of several good chances. Thankfully skipper Quentin Baker put an to the profligacy when he latched onto Luke de Rougemont’s flick from a long Raffety clearance to open the scoring.

A few minutes later Harrow nearly scored what surely would have been the goal of their season: Milln sprayed a fifty yard cross-field pass to Lederman on the right wing, he controlled the ball on his chest and, without letting it hit the ground, flicked the ball down the line for Hoffen to run onto. The striker looked up and produced a fine cross to the edge of the box but Freddie Brunt disappointingly fired wide with the whole team ready to celebrate the outstanding move.

Brunt was to make amends in the second half however when he scored Harrow’s second, playing a one-two with de Rougemont before planting a firm finish inside the far post. Harrow tails were up and they could have scored five or six in the closing moments of the season but, in typical Harrovian fashion, they allowed the hosts a consolation two minutes from time.

The visitors ended the season with 38 points and just one League defeat since Christmas, an excellent reward for their efforts.

OHAFC 2nd XI 1 Old Carthusians 2’s 5, Junior League Cup Final

Junior League Cup success two years running eluded the OHAFC 2nd XI when they were comfortably beaten by Charterhouse’s third-string in the final at Teddington.

After the previous season’s heroics in defeating Carthusians’ 2’s, hopes were high of another Harrow win, but there was to be no mercy shown from the Division Two champions and their long ball tactics and superior physicality rendered Harrovian efforts in vain.

3-0 down at half-time, the Blues were briefly given hope when Hugo Trower turned and shot into the bottom left corner. But the necessity to throw men forward left Harrow exposed at the back and they were twice caught on the break in the closing minutes to ensure a comfortable win for the team from Surrey.

Four Seasons Ago: April 23rd 2011

No OHAFC Fixtures

Five Seasons Ago: April 24th 2010:

OHAFC 1st XI 3 Old Carthusians 1:

The OHAFC 1st XI closed to within one win of the Premier Division title after a magnificent performance that saw them beat title rivals Charterhouse 3-1 at Rayners Lane FC.

Having trailed in the League for most of the season, Harrow’s recent run of five straight wins had given them the chance to overhaul the long-time league leaders. It was a chance they took in style, earning a 2-0 lead at the break thanks to a Lederman free-kick, curled over the top of the wall and into the bottom corner, and a fine Piers Bourke strike, the left-winger connecting sweetly with a Lederman cross to fire into the far bottom corner.

Charterhouse threw everything at Harrow in the second half but the Blues held firm thanks to titanic performances from centre-halves Milln and Poulter as well as goalkeeper Luke Raffety. The visitors finally broke through with five minutes left and threw men forward in desperation knowing that a draw was sufficient to deny Harrow the title.

But a long clearance from the back saw Harry Hoffen given the freedom of the pitch and he carried the ball forty yards to round the ‘keeper and slot home, provoking scenes of wild celebration from the Harrow supporters.

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

5 Years Ago: April 26th 2010

UK Singles Chart No.1: Usher feat Will.i.am “This Ain’t a Love Song”

Premier League top three: 1st Chelsea 80pts from 36 games, 2nd Man Utd 79 (36), 3rd Arsenal 72 (36)

Premier League bottom three: 18th Hull City 28 (36), 19th Burnley 27 (36), 20th Portsmouth 25 (36)

10 Years Ago: April 24th 2005

UK Singles Chart No.1: Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay “Is This the Way to Amarillo”

Premier League top three: 1st Chelsea 85 (34), 2nd Arsenal 74 (34), 3rd Man Utd 70 (34)

Premier League bottom three: 18th West Bromwich Albion 30 (35), 19th Norwich City 30 (35), 20th Southampton 28 (35)

20 years Ago: April 26th 1995

UK Singles Chart No.1: Take That “Back For Good”

Premier League top three: 1st Blackburn Rovers 86 (39), 2nd Manchester Utd 78 (38), 3rd Nottingham Forest 70 (39)

Premier League bottom three: 20th Norwich City 42 (39), 21st Leicester City 24 (39), 22nd Ipswich Town 24 (38)