Only the 2nd XI were in action on the first weekend back for the Arthurian League following the Christmas break, but it turned out to be a rather unhappy start to 2026 for the men in blue as they fell to a 5-2 defeat at home to the Old Haberdashers on the Harrow astroturf.

The two sides had drawn 3-3 in a thrilling game back in September but the visitors arrived with a stronger side here, bolstered by university players previously unavailable. The OHAFC took an early lead via an own goal as a low cross from Doug Pratt was turned in at the far post by an unwitting defender. But the lead lasted just five minutes, a fine volleved finish from a cross from the left restoring parity. And the same player then took advantage of a questionable decision from keeper Rory Craig to rush from his line to intercept a long ball, firing in from outside the corner of the penalty area.

The Blues changed to a back four at the interval but within three minute of the restart had conceded again, another long ball allowing a forward to run through down the left and fire into the bottom corner. Thankfully the home side responded almost immediately, Doug Pratt forcing an opponent off the ball to toe poke home on the stretch from just outside the box.

At 3-2 down with over half an hour remaining the result was very much in the balance, but it was the visitors who proved the stronger over the closing stages. A fourth goal arrived following a scramble inside the box and in a dominant final fifteen minutes the visitors added a fifth, a well-placed shot from the edge of the box.

Defeat leaves the 2s stuck in sixth in Division Two ahead of next week’s trip to face the Old Carthusians 2s in Acton. The team sheet and match report from Saturday’s game are now available in the results section.