The OHAFC Vets trotted out for their second friendly fixture of the season at a gloomy-looking Bank of England Ground in Roehampton on Sunday morning with the familiar foe of Witan Old Boys as adversaries. It was hoped that, regardless of the result, the fixture would prove somewhat less combustible than the opening game against Albion a fortnight earlier when tempers flared in an unpleasant second half.

The OHAFC lined up with one of their most physically intimidating sides in recent memory, aided, it must be said, by a number of star guests including Steve Stacey in goal, the illustrious Gordon Baker (Winchester) at centre-half, Mike Wood in central midfield, and the return of two bona fide Harrovian strikers in the form of Dom Danos and Matt Davis.

The usual OHAFC pitch at the Bank of England was in fine condition and the promised downpour had yet to arrive, light drizzle filling the air at kick-off. The opening spell was very evenly contested with neither side able to carve out any clear cut opportunities. Harrow’s centre-half pairing of Baker and Ben Durling comfortably dealt with any long balls forward but in attack the hosts struggled to create any chances of note.

Indeed, when the opening goal did arrive after twenty minutes, it was rightly pointed by a Witan player that it was Harrow’s first effort of the match. Even so, it was a very well-worked goal with the two strikers combining excellently, Danos hooking the ball over the top for Matt Davis to run onto and bury in the bottom corner on the half-volley.

Minutes later it was two, with the same pair combining to ruthless effect, this time Davis crossing for Danos to sweep home first time. Witan were reeling at the sudden shift in momentum and their mood worsened soon after when Harrow scored a third from a most unlikely source. Left winger Chris, one of the ringers, had barely been a factor in the game in the first half an hour, but he made amends for that with a superb strike, crashing home inside the near post after Baker had launched the ball forwards with a trademark towering header.

The visitors were by this stage arguing among themselves about anything and everything with suggestions to switch to a new formation met by the plaintiff response of ‘we’re not good enough to play one formation, let alone two or three!’

Sadly, things got worse for the visitors before they got better, with another superb Harrow goal prior to the break. Mike Wood had enjoyed a stellar game and he crowned his first-half display with a Lothar Matthaus-esque goal, striding through the heart of the Witan defence before planting the ball assuredly inside the far post.

The 4-0 half-time scoreline was perhaps a touch harsh on the visitors, who had forced a number of corners and free-kicks in the attacking third. But up against a rock-solid Harrow spine, finding a wau through was proving nigh on impossible.

The second half saw the forecast downpour arrive and everyone was thoroughly soaked to the bone by the time Harrow had scored a fifth, shortly after the hour-mark. A lovely Harrow move saw the ball played forwards swiftly from the back, Wood finding Lederman down the right and he cut inside before squaring for Danos to sweep home first-time from the edge of the box.

By this time Witan heads had dropped, with Wood and Danos enjoying their own ‘who could hit the crossbar more often’ competition. Danos was so unfortunate to see one effort bounce down onto the line, Wood meanwhile nearly broke the bar with a thunderous effort following yet another storming run forwards.

A sixth duly arrived for the rampant hosts and again it was a thing of beauty, another break forwards started by keeper Steve Stacey that ended with Danos exchanging passes with right-back Sam, the youngster striding into the box to collect the return and finish competently inside the near post.

To the visitors’ credit they did pull a goal back with fifteen minutes to go, but it was little consolation and the final whistle brought relief all round. A fine win, then, for the hosts, albeit aided in their efforts with some excellent performances from many of the guests. Well done to all concerned on a miserable day in south west London.