The OHAFC 2nd XI return to action with a tricky opening fixture in the newly-revamped Junior League Cup for 2021. With 20 sides drawn into four groups, each containing five teams, the Blues theoretically have the opportunity to play at least four more games this season, although tomorrow's game against the Old Columbans may yet turn out to be a knockout affair. Either way, with such a tough group to navigate, a strong showing is required from the OHAFC in their first game back since prior to Christmas.

The Blues struggled in the early stages of the 2020/21 campaign, drawing four of their first five games in the League before suffering a heavy defeat away to the Old Owens in the first round of the Junior Old Boys Cup. Further defeats to the Old Johnians and Old Carthusians in the League left the side struggling at the wrong end of the Division Two table, with the only win of the season coming in the final game prior to lockdown, a rather scrappy 3-2 win over the Old Suttonians - ironically, a game that has since been deemed irrelevant due to the reformatting of the JLC.

Fortunately, enthusiasm for the restart appears high among the 2s ranks, with a strong squad of fourteen named: skipper Geoff Taunton-Collins remains on track to return from his ACL operation early next season, whilst veteran David Lederman is unlikely to play again this season due to a back strain suffered during lockdown. Harry Woolley is self-isolating for two weeks so could yet feature later in the competition. Both Curry brothers are included, as are both Hutchinson's although Andres' troublesome ankle casts some doubt on his participation.

The OHAFC 3rd XI return to action with a home fixture on the astroturf against Division Five North side the Old Haberdashers. On paper at least, and given previous meetings between the teams, this looks a more than winnable game, with Haberdashers sitting 3rd in their division prior to lockdown. But last weekend the side from north London secured a memorable 3-1 win at home to the Old Alleynians 3s, who were sitting 2nd in Division Four prior to lockdown. This surprising result means the 3s may face a stiffer challenge than expected on the astroturf, with Habs now potentially just one win away from securing a place in the quarter-fnals.

As with the OHAFC 2s, the 3s have named a strong squad of 14 for their first fixture back. The three captains Ed Nicholson, Tom Mitchell and Felix Tritton all play, with the trio faced with a number of tricky selection issues ahead of them. Jamie Jordache, the very incarnation of the 'have boots, will travel' maxim provides some additional quality.