The OHAFC 1st XI returned to winning ways on Saturday with a comprehensive 6-2 victory over the Old Malvernians on a sun-drenched Harrow Hill. Despite the freezing conditions, there were plenty of highlights for the watching spectators to enjoy, with James Breeden continuing his record-breaking goalscoring exploits and Freddie Brunt making a successful return to action having spent the last four years living in Rio de Janeiro.

Following successive defeats against the top two sides in the division, it was imperative that Yunus Sert’s men returned to winning ways as quickly as possible and a home fixture against a struggling Malvernian side provided a perfect opportunity to do just that. The skipper was able to name a strong thirteen-man squad with Brunt’s addition to a front-three including James Breeden and Josh Adejokun completing the Arthurian League equivalent of PSG’s marvellous attacking trident. Further creativity was provided by the fleet-footed Dan Firoozan in midfield, with Jamie McKee making his first appearance of the season alongside. The back four required some tinkering however, with Rollo Hovey called up from the 2s, Connor Barrett from the 3s and Cyprian Owen-Edmunds asked to fulfil an unfamiliar left-back role. Will Swan and Emre Sert were named on the bench.

The cold snap that had embraced the country for much of the week had left parts of the pitch at the southern end of the ground slightly frozen, but referee Peter Dace deemed the surface playable and of more concern to the players was actually a startlingly bright low sun, shining right into the eyes of Harrow ‘keeper Fraser McGuinness as the game got underway. Incredibly, it took less than five minutes for the conditions to cost the hosts a goal, with a high, hopeful ball into the box following a poor clearance out causing serious problems. Despite wearing a cap, a panicking McGuinness repeatedly screamed ‘I can’t see it, I can’t see it!’ As the defence dithered, the ball dropped to a disbelieving Malvernian barely three yards out and he scuffed his shot in to give the visitors a stunning early lead.

Fortunately, it didn’t take the hosts long to restore parity, with an early link-up between Brunt and James Breeden hinting at a potentially blossoming partnership. Brunt, remarkably the oldest player on the Harrow side by five years, clipped the ball over the top for Harrow’s leading scorer to run onto, he allowed the ball to drop over his shoulder before firing past the ‘keeper on the half-volley.

Harrow continued to enjoy the bulk of possession and, as expected, the front three menaced on regular occasions. At the back however, there were some nervy moments – perhaps understandably given the makeshift nature of the lineup.

The hosts took the lead on the half-hour when Breeden turned provider, whipping a corner in low to the near post where Yunus Sert cleverly flicked the ball in. But, once again, some sloppy Harrow defending allowed the visitors a way back into the game: a cross into the box saw a mix-up between ‘keeper McGuinnes and centre-half Connor Barrett – the former called for it, the latter was caught in two minds, and the result was some fatal hesitation that allowed a Malvernian forward to nip in and score from close range.

The skipper’s half-time team talk was simple: maintain the same threat going forwards but tighten up at the back. And it took barely five minutes for the hosts to restore their lead, a rather mundane goal, but nonetheless significant for the fact that it was Freddie Brunt who scored it. The ball fell kindly to the striker inside the six-yard box and he smashed high into the net for his first goal since netting Harrow’s second in an 8-0 mauling of Tonbridge on October 6th 2012.

The result was put beyond doubt on the hour thanks to a magnificent solo effort from Dan Firoozan – no stranger to scoring goals of the highest quality. Collecting the ball just inside the Malvern half, the youngster weaved his way past several defenders with a range of tricks, carried the ball forwards towards the edge of the area before unleashing an unerringly accurate curler into the far top corner. The goal understandably provoked scenes of wild celebration and, more importantly, ended the game as a contest.

The hosts scored twice more in the final ten minutes with both Breeden and Brunt doubling their tallies for the afternoon: Breeden struck first, collecting a pass from his strike partner to fire past the ‘keeper inside the far post, before Brunt then took advantage of a late counter-attack, collecting a pass from Josh Adejokun before finding the bottom corner.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic, with McGuinness called upon to make a couple of excellent saves, not least from a one-on-one that could have provided the visitors with a way back into the game. But the hosts had too much quality all round, Will Swan in particular enjoyed a storming game at right-back and has improved with every game he has played this season.

With Berkhamsted having lost twice in consecutive weeks, the door to the promotion places is now once again ajar. Harrow are now five points off the pace, but still have games against Berks and Brentwood to come.

The side now enjoy a month-long break for Christmas and New Year before re-starting their campaign with seven games remaining and much to play for.

*Thanks to Freddie Brunt for his assistance with this match report