The OHAFC 1st XI started their Division One campaign away to the Old Cholmeleians with a number of new faces making their first appearances for the side: Chester Robinson and Dominique Hupfauer-Sanchez had never represented the OHAFC before, Josh Adejokun had played just a solitary game for the 2s and regular goalkeeper Fraser McGuiness returned from New York having missed the whole of last season. In addition, there was a welcome return for Jack Hill, who had been absent for over a year with an Achilles injury.

The 1s kicked off their opening fixture utilising a new 4-3-3 formation, trying to exploit the most of the youthful pace and energy available to them: McGuiness donned the gloves, with a back four of Hill, Sert, Poulter and Lalude in front of him; the midfield three consisted of Trower, Alex Breeden and Robinson with the front three made up of Bamford, James Breeden and Adejokun.

The pitch, as usual for the Old Cholmeleians ground in north London, was in pretty average shape, even for this early in the season: sticky and bobbly and exceptionally narrow, which was only ever going to aid the hosts.

The OHAFC began relatively comfortably, the only outlet Cholmeleians had was a long ball over the top, which was comfortably dealt with by the back four. It soon became apparent however that the hosts possessed a secondary weapon, with their right back having a cannon of a throw. Despite the Blues' lack of height, the visitors dealt with the deliveries in a professional manner.

Mid-way through the first-half the visitors began putting some nice moves together, particularly on the counter-attack: a cross delivered into the right-hand side of the Cholms' box was headed up into the air and Will Bamford reacted quickest, thumping the ball in on off the underside of the bar with a powerful volley to give the Blues the lead.

At this stage Harrow tempers began to fray as several refereeing decisions went the way of the hosts. Cholms used this to their advantage to put Harrow under immense pressure, catapulting long-throws and free-kicks into the box. Somehow, the Blues survived.

And then towards the end of the half, against the run of play, McGuiness cleared long down the middle, Bamford (standing offside) allowed the ball to run past him, and as both Cholms' centre-halves switched off, James Breeden ran through to take it down on his chest and beautifully lob the stranded goalkeeper. 2-0 Harrow.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first with the Harrow goal under considerable pressure and, once more, the visitors feeling they were on the wrong end of many of the referee's calls. This, unfortunately, saw the hosts pull a goal back that was hotly disputed by the Blues, who were certain the Cholms' striker was offside as he ran through to finish past McGuinness.

With the result in the balance, Cholms became ever more physical: Harrovians winced as Jack Hill got absolutely clattered twice in quick succession: both times the Cholms players were penalised.

With ten minutes remaining there was, disappointingly, yet further controversy when a swift Cholms counter-attack saw a forward fall under minimal contact inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot and McGuinness was sent the wrong way, the sides now level at 2-2.

Given the conditions and the physical nature of their opponents, it was an encouraging display to begin the season for new OHAFC skipper Yunus Sert. All the youngsters acquitted themselves well and the new formation showed signs of promise.

The Blues face a second consecutive away trip next weekend and it's the furthest of the season, with a trip to Berkshire to face the Old Bradfieldians. Conditions are likely to be very different to those faced on Saturday, with the Bradfield pitches usually in excellent condition.

Thanks to Alex Breeden for this match report