The OHAFC relinquished their hold on the Derrick Moore Veterans Cup at the first hurdle after suffering a comprehensive 6-1 mauling at the hands of the 2011 winners Lancing.

John Wyn-Evans' men travelled down to Lancing College just outside Brighton for a 1.30pm kick-off on Sunday and were greeted by the magnificent sight of the College chapel and immaculate grounds, including the 1st XI pitch where the game was to be played.

Sadly however, the fine conditions failed to inspire the troops and despite only trailing 2-1 at the break, suffered at the hands of their superior opponents in a one-sided second half.

The side fell behind after twenty minutes to a magnificent 25-yard free-kick from Ben Evans which flew into the top corner leaving Butler without a prayer.

But the visitors regrouped and after several promising runs from Jason Walduck they were soon on level terms, the striker crossing from the right for substitute Rupert Hoffen to tee up Lederman from eight yards out.

After one superb save from Butler when he flung himself to his right to palm away another strong shot, Lancing did find a way through a few minutes before the break when some sloppy defending on the right saw a Lancing midfielder waltz through several challenges to fire high into the net from a narrow angle.

The mood at half-time was a positive one with plenty of encouragement and belief that the tie could be rescued. Sadly it was not to be, the visitors struggled to cope with the more fluent play of the home side and conceded four goals.

The first was the most avoidable, another free-kick from Evans was hit firmly towards the far bottom corner but Butler made a hash of the save, the ball slipping through his hands and into the net.

Although Harrow maintained their effort, they began to sink deeper and deeper into their own half and strikers Hoffen, Danos and Walduck saw less and less of the ball.

A fourth was conceded midway through the half with another pinpoint finish from the edge of the box before Evans completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after the referee decided to go with his assistant's decision, having initially declined the appeals.

A sixth was conceded late on, a fine lob with Harrow throwing men forward desperately in an attempt to somehow find a way back.

But Lancing deserved the win and they must surely be odds on to at least make this year's final such being the strength of their side. For Harrow, the only consolation was that defeat in the first round at least gives them the opportunity to compete for the consolation prize of the Veterans Plate. Hopefully, futher away days to the seaside will not feature.

Vets XI v Lancing (4-4-2): Butler; Feather, Warner, Walduck, Morley-Fletcher; Lederman, Wyn-Evans, Waugh, Thorn; Walduck, Danos Subs: Hoffen (on for Morley-Fletcher, 20), Tindall (not used)