As dawn broke on Sunday, anxious Harrovian eyes peered through the curtains to see what the weather had delivered this week. As it happened a light dusting of snow was not the problem it might have seemed, and the fixture against Highfield was deemed playable on Lower Redgates, always the pitch that holds up best.

Still, conditions underfoot remained a little soggy and sure footing was at a premium. This looked like it might be more of a problem for some of the Highfield players. No doubt they had all been lithe young athletes a few decades ago, but the bulging fabric of several of their jerseys served as testament to many long hours at the bar… and the pie shop. One of their more trim members made up for it by modelling a snood and a pair of gloves. OH skipper Wyn-Evans sported a new pair of two-tone black/white Nike Tiempo boots (£35 Sports Direct sale), displaying a remarkable degree of optimism in his career longevity. In the same sale he had also bought a new pair of goalkeeping gloves for the team, which featured a “punch zone”. It’s not clear if that was intended for the ball or the face of an oncoming striker.

Play commenced with the OH's attacking the goal at the bottom end of the ground and, with both sides struggling to adapt to the slippery conditions, early passages of play were disjointed. However, it soon became clear that the OH's had a potent attacking force down the right with full back George Thorp and right winger Mike Wood producing some spirited attacks. From one of these the ball came to Jon Ingram on the right by-line and he crossed for Ed Thorn to hit first time from fifteen yards out. Although it was something of a mis-hit the ball dribbled towards the goal, and one can only assume that Highfield’s keeper was unsighted as he belatedly ushered the ball inside his left-hand post. 1-0. Ed turned away quietly, somewhat embarrassed to have scored. Stealing a packet of Smarties from a three year old might have proven more challenging.

The OH's continued to press forward and with a bit more composure might have scored again sooner, but various players attempted a “Hollywood” finish when a good first touch and simple pass into the net might have paid more dividends. Highfield rallied a little, mainly through their midfielders Charlie (the little chap who usually plays for the Bank of England and who has a lower centre of gravity than Lionel Messi’s knees) and Rob, but it was the OHs who struck again next. George, marauding forward from right back, delivered an inch-perfect cross to the near post where it was met by the head of Jon Ingram. The keeper, fair play to him, produced an astounding one-handed save low to his left, but Ingram was able to walk in the rebound for 2-0, which is where it stayed until half-time.

The pattern of the second half was similar, with OH's dominating, especially on the break, but often unable to finish good chances. Skipper Wyn-Evans bursting through the centre to latch onto a pass from Fazil Shah could only lamely poke a left-footed effort straight at the keeper, who also made several noteworthy one-on-one saves. Danos made a strong run in on goal urged on by cries of “go on daddy” from his young son on the touchline, but not for the last time in his life (in all probability) the nipper was left to rue the lack of pace and finishing skills of his father who disappeared up a blind alley.

Not for the first time this season Ingram was denied a “nailed on” penalty as ref Giles failed to spot a blatant trip in the box (later openly admitted to by the guilty defender), but the game was wrapped up by a neat first-time finish from Faz meeting yet another cross by the excellent George, and a net-busting drive from Woody, who made a strong impression on his OH Vets debut.

Highfield, frustrated by a lack of goals, resorted to a few hefty challenges, and some choice words were spoken. “Snood” incurred the wrath of his own players by refusing to pass the ball and attempting a number of “fancy Dan” moves that came to nothing. Dom McCarthy spent most of the last 20 minutes whingeing about the lack of cover for the defence, which seemed a bit rich seeing as his Opta stats later revealed that he had covered a total of 72 metres during the whole game.

For once the OH keeper, Steve Stacey, had hardly a shot to save and left the field with unblemished kit. He could just as well have spent 80 minutes reading the Sunday Times on a deckchair behind the goal and the OHs would still have prevailed.

A good warm up for those OH's involved in next week’s cup clash with Malvern.

Squad: Steve Stacey, George Thorp, Dom McCarthy, Shane Grosser, Ben Durling, Woody, John Wyn-Evans (c), Rob Smith, Ed Thorn, Jon Ingram, Dom Danos, Fasil Shah.

Report courtesy of skipper John Wyn-Evans