Arthur Dunn Cup Final Report: Old Harrovians 1-0 Old Bradfieldians

On April 21^st in front of a crowd of around 250 people at Imperial College Sports Ground in Teddington, south west London, the OHAFC 1^st XI lifted the Arthur Dunn Cup for the first time in its 104 year-old history.

In energy-sapping heat, a spectacular Paul Molloy strike after half an hour was enough to secure victory against an enthusiastic but inexperienced Bradfield side and skipper Quentin Baker lifted the trophy to the delight of the many Harrow supporters present, rounding off another memorable season for this flourishing OH club.

In truth, it would have been rather a let-down had Harrow not claimed the trophy. The previous couple of rounds had seen them overcome perhaps the two hardest ties in the hat, with away trips to Cup holders Charterhouse and then perennial Dunn Cup challengers Shrewsbury safely negotiated – both with the help of dramatic late goals.

Despite this, and the fact that Bradfield were a Division One outfit, there was no question of complacency from the dark blues in the build up to the final. Their opponents had won 13 of their previous 14 matches and had yet to concede a goal in their run of four games to the final, including victories over two strong Premiership teams in Lancing and Brentwood.

But aided by the presence of FA coach Ricky Gill, who ensured meticulous preparation for the game, Harrow started the more confident of the sides and quickly stamped their authority on the match.

In midfield, Baker and Molloy won plenty of possession and soon set about freeing the plethora of attacking talents. Left-winger Piers Bourke saw plenty of the ball and ran his full-back ragged, creating several half-chances and earning several corners. Strikers Harry Hoffen and Freddy Brunt, who was to run the London Marathon in under 4 hours the following day, worked tirelessly up front and it appeared only a matter of time before the breakthrough arrived. When it did, it was certainly worth waiting for.

Baker and Bourke scrapped for possession midway inside the Bradfield half and the ball broke to right-winger David Lederman who had come off his touchline in a bid to affect the play. He slipped a simple pass inside to an unmarked Paul Molloy who took one touch to control the ball before volleying it effortlessly into the top right-hand corner of the goal to give the Harrovians a deserved lead.

A couple of Bradfield breaks down their left-wing aside, it was a comfortable half for the Harrow back line, marshalled superbly by Tim Dalton, who was playing his first game for several months following a serious groin injury. Alongside him Ed Poulter, Jamie Waugh and Ed Martins looked secure with young goalkeeper Alex Fraysse solely called upon to make some basic interceptions.

The half-time whistle was greeted with roars of encouragement from the Harrow players and supporters and sheer silence from the Bradfield players – a clear sign of their shock at being so overwhelmed in the first forty-five minutes.

After some pertinent instruction from coach Gill during the break, the Harrow side returned for the second half determined to build on their lead. With players tiring in the heat, space soon appeared and the Harrow forwards once again looked dangerous. Bradfield did enjoy a spell of possession midway through the half but in truth they produced few clear chances and resorted to corners and long balls as their most likely form of regaining parity.

In the final quarter of an hour, as Bradfield threw more men forward in desperation, Harrow once more sprung to life and should have extended their lead courtesy of some fine counter-attacking football. Baker and Brunt both missed chances when it appeared easier to score and Lederman added to the nerves in the final five minutes when firing wildly over from fifteen yards out following a mazy dribble.

But Harrow held on without further drama and put to rest a century-long wait for the famous trophy, just reward for their fine performances in the competition throughout the season.

OHAFC Arthur Dunn Cup Final Squad:

Alex Fraysse, Jamie Waugh, Tim Dalton, Ed Poulter, Ed Martins, Piers Bourke, Paul Molloy, Quentin Baker (c), David Lederman, Harry Hoffen, Freddy Brunt, Rupert Hoffen, Charlie Tweddle, Nick Warner, Rowley Higgs, Ashley Vargas.