The 3rd XI faced the Old Amplefordians on Saturday in the much-anticipated top of the table clash between the top two in Divsion Five South of the Arthurian League. With both sides boasting formidable records, it was Ampleforth who went into the fixture as favourites with a 100% win record from their first five games of the season. But the OHAFC 3s are an excellent team in their own right this season and with four striaght wins under their belts, they were more than ready to test themselves against one of the few remaining unbeaten teams in the Arthurian League.

The game kicked off in bleak conditions at Chiswick Boathouse. As a strong wind blew across the open fields, it was immediately clear that both sides were going to have to sacrifice their usual possession-based football for a more robust approach in order to get the job done. And it was the visitors who proved up the task, physically imposing themselves from the off with the likes of Kapoor and Charlie Bick in he middle of the park immediately getting amongst the opposition.

As the game started to settle down, it was Harrow in the ascendancy, with the ever-impressive Olly Roberts making some driving runs through the middle of the park, turning Ampleforth and keeping them penned into their final third. Roberts was unlucky not to release Alex Smith on several occasions, some very tight offside calls halting the forward's progress. But Harrow were eventually rewarded for their consistent pressure when Connor Barrett delivered a long throw into the six-yard box and, following an almighty scramble, Smith was on hand to guide the ball into the bottom corner from close rang.

Harrow didn't rest on their laurels and continued to apply the pressure. More impressiving running from Roberts, Ned Callender and Harry Bick put the side into some dangerous positions and caused consistent headaches for the hosts. Then a neat interchange between the Bick brothers saw younger brother Harry teed up on the edge of the area and he finished precisely with a first-time curling shot into the bottom right corner, leaving the 'keeper with no chance.

2-0 to the good and the OHAFC were totally dominant, any threat from the hosts immediately snuffed out by the ever-reliable defence: stalwarts Connor Barrett, Alec Foggarty and Hussein Janmo all remained rock-solid, while there was a hugely impressive performance from Oliver Walker, who was stepping in as a makeshift centre-back. The result was a quiet half between the sticks for 'keeper Chuka Ilogu, allowing him to contemplate his evening ahead and, in particular, what sauce he would choose to go with his McNuggets.

The second half started the same way the first had ended, with Harrow on top and the game being played mainly in the Old Amplefordian final third. Xander Cadisch came on to the left wing for his first appearance of the season and he continued where Ned Callender left off, taking on the opposition defence whenever he had the chance.

Charlie Bick, now joined by Tommy Faber in the middle, did not let up and continued to dominate the central areas. It wasn't long before the visitors were rewarded for their continued dominance with a third goal. Winning a free-kick just inside the opposition half, Charlie Bick planted a dangerous ball into the box and from the ensuing defensive scramble Olly Roberts swept home into the bottom left corner. 3-0 and the 3's were now in dreamland.

Still the visitors kept their foot on the gas and, after another dazzling run from Cadisch was ended unfairly, they won a free-kick on the edge of the area. Bick wipped in another dangerous ball causing further mayhem in the area, allowing Connor Barrett to tap in - disappointingly, the goal was ruled out for offside.

Ampleforth were powerless to prevent a fourth however. It was another Bick set-piece creating havoc in the box and, following some determined play from Oli Walker to prevent the opposition clearing the ball, he fed Smith, allowing the striker to fire home and put the result beyond any doubt.

The visitors saw the game out comfortably enough, helped by further strong defending from Barrett, Walker, Foggarty, Janmo and substitute Ludo Callender. With the game wrapped up, the side could have been forgiven for a momentary lapse in concentration that saw Ampleforth scramble their way into the Harrow box and earn a penalty following a foul from the otherwise-excellent Charlie Bick. A well dispatched effort from the spot ensured there was to be no Harrow clean sheet, but it failed to take the gloss off an outstanding display.

For the first time since the side's reformation in 2011, the OHAFC 3s have won five games in a row and now sit proudly atop Division Five South. Having beaten their main contenders for promotion in the last two weeks, scoring seven goals in the process, the side must surely be setting their sights on the top spot come the end of the season.

*Thanks to Chuka Ilogu for this match report (hopefully he enjoyed his McNuggets)