The OHAFC Vets missed out on their second piece of silverware in consecutive seasons when a catalogue of missed chances allowed opponents Eton to take the game into extra-time before ultimately triumphing 6-5 in a sudden death penalty shoot-out amid scenes of great drama at the Bank of England Ground on Sunday morning.

After suffering a 6-1 defeat to Lancing in the opening round of the Vets Cup, the competition John Wyn-Evans' side won in style last season, few could have foreseen the season ending with a further visit to the Wembley of Arthurian League Veterans football.

But high-scoring wins over Forest and Malvern ushered the OH Vets into the Plate Final to play last season's winners Eton.

There were few selection issues prior to the game with the same side that ended the semi-final named to start the final, Ed Thorn and Mike Morley-Fletcher the substitutes.

After a poor start to the semi-final when complacency was possibly a contributing factor there was a steely determination to give a physically imposing Eton side no such leeway.

And Harrow made the better start with Danos and Hoffen H combining well up front to pressure a cumbersome Eton rearguard into some hurried defending.

Gradually the dark blues began to take control and a steady stream of crosses were soon being swung into the Eton box from a combination of open play and set-pieces.

The best chances in the opening half-hour fell to Harry Hoffen, whose pace was far too much for his markers to handle. Twice through balls saw the Harrow man through on goal but twice he was denied, the second time thanks to a clear foul by the last defender who tried his best to bring Harry down. To his credit, the striker stayed upright but his momentum was thrown and the 'keeper was allowed to narrow the angle with no punishment for the offence forthcoming.

At the other end Eton sporadically threatened but in truth Harrow 'keeper Tindall had little of note to deal with - Nick Warner's pace at sweeper ensuring that any balls over the top were dealt with comfortably enough, whilst Baddeley, Hoffen R and Waugh were solid in dealing with anything in front of them.

With Harrow looking the better side but unable to completely overrun their opponents it was unclear where a goal was going to come from to break the deadlock. That was until substitute Ed Thorn, who had only been on the pitch about ten minutes, stepped up just before the break to score one of the goals of the season: 'the Mugger,' so-called due to his old love of wearing hooded tops, collected a ball in the centre of the Eton half, took a few touches sideways and eschewed the cries of his teammates for a pass to take aim and fire an unstoppable left-foot volleyed shot from nigh-on thirty yards which arced perfectly into the top corner, the tall Eton custodian powerless to lay a glove on it. Harrow celebrations were understandably exhuberant, a combination of the wonder of the strike, it's importance and the identity of the scorer not lost on anyone.

No changes were made at the break and Harrow continued in the same vein at the start of the second half, Baker, Lederman, Danos and Harry Hoffen using their pace and understanding to cause further problems for the Eton back four.

Gradually however the light blues began to work their way into the game, their power and fitness allowing them to outmuscle the Harrovian midfield at times and secure plenty of possession. Once again though, some solid defending kept Harrow's lead in tact.

Quentin Baker, scorer of a hat-trick in last year's final, was presented with a golden opportunity to score a vital second when he was played clean through but his attempt to go round the 'keeper was comfortably foiled.

Eton then sprung upfield and thanks to some good combination play down their right produced a low cross that was eventually turned in from close range.

Harrow's opponents scented blood and roared on by some vocal support pressed for a winner. But the best chance to clinch the cup in normal time was again spurned by Baker when his first-time shot from Lederman's through-ball flew just past the near post.

Extra-time was a cagey affair with both sides understandably showing signs of fatigue and the level of football dropped somewhat. Neither 'keeper was really tested and penalties looked an inevitable conclusion to the morning's entertainment long before the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the 120 minutes.

True to form, the shootout produced all the drama one sees from such occasions at the highest level. Harrow stepped forward first and saw Baker, Rupert Hoffen, Warner and Danos all safely convert to give the side a 4-3 lead. With neither 'keeper coming close to a save, Bobby Tindall then produced what looked to be the conclusive moment when he blocked the fourth Eton effort.

Sadly, Harry Hoffen's effort to win the tie was not the best and was also saved, allowing the opposition to level at 4-4 and take the shootout into a sudden death format.

Tension built with every kick: Thorn scored to make it 5-4, Eton replied 5-5. Walduck had his effort saved giving Eton their first chance to win: Tindall again came to the rescue and the drama continued, some by now hiding behind bushes unable to watch.

Sadly, it was gallant skipper John Wyn-Evans who then saw his effort also saved and Eton made no mistake second time around, scoring to win the shootout 6-5.

It was cruel on a Harrow team that, whilst clearly not at their best, still created enough clear chances to have won the match, the crying shame being that Ed Thorn's wondergoal in the end counted for little.

Nevertheless, two Cup finals in two years is a good achievement for the Vets given that prior to last season they had never got beyond the semi-finals in either competition.

OHAFC Vets Plate Runners-Up: Tindall (GK); Hoffen R, Warner, Baddeley, Waugh; Lederman, Wyn-Evans (c), Baker, Walduck; Hoffen H, Danos Subs: Thorn, Morley-Fletcher