A magnificent individual display from James Breeden, the OHAFC's standout performer this season, led the 1st XI to an absolutely vital 5-3 win over the Old Berkhamstedians in Chiswick on Saturday afternoon. The result lifted the Blues above their opponents into second in Division One and, with just five fixtures remaining this season, ensures Yunus Sert's men are in pole position to claim the second promotion spot behind runaway leaders Bradfield.

A cold, wet, grey afternoon in west London was sporadically illuminated by moments of supreme quality from the younger of the two Breeden brothers, whose four goals took his tally for the season to a remarkable 23 goals in 11 appearances. Despite Berkhamsted at one stage reducing the deficit to just a single goal at 3-2, Breeden's third and fourth goals of the afternoon and some doughty, if slightly chaotic, defending at times ensured the visitors safely held on to claim the points.

There was a very different look to Saturday's lineup with both skipper Yunus Sert and Alex Breeden missing their first games of the season. With centre-half Ed Poulter and midfielder Jack Hill also both absent, the squad of thirteen was one of the most attacking named in OHAFC history. It was also, curiously, one of the oldest and most experienced in recent seasons, with Fred Richardson and Paul Molloy forming a solid centre-half partnership, the latter playing his first game of the season; Harry Hoffen started up front - his only start for the side this campaign; and 43 year-old David Lederman named on the bench, alongside Jesse Duah who had generously travelled across from Bristol for the game. With a midfield trio of Firoozan, Brunt and Gilbert and Josh Adejokun joining Hoffen and James Breeden in the forward positions, scoring goals was evidently not going to be a problem - it remained to be seen whether the side possessed the requisite defensive discipline to prevent their opponents from doing likewise.

Conditions throughout the encounter were awful: cold, wet and a decent breeze blowing across the astroturf ensured a miserable afternoon for players and spectators alike.

Predictably enough, with both sides fully aware of the importance of Saturday's game, the opening spell was frenetic and lacking in much quality. Berkhamsted had taken full advantage of some appalling Harrovian organisation in the previous fixture between the teams to claim a 5-1 win, but it was clear that at close to full strength the two sides were fairly evenly matched.

The ball was pinged around in midfield at a rapid pace, both sides probing to find a way through. Hamish MacIntyre enjoyed a running battle down the Harrow left and had to be concentrated throughout the first half. Going forwards, the visitors looked threatening without ever being able to produce a telling pass. Firoozan quickly displayed he possessed both the requisite intelligence and physicality to play the deep-lying midfield role, winning plenty of possession and carrying the ball clear of his pursuers. Brunt and Gilbert looked to stretch play to Breeden and Adejokun on the wings, but, as was the case in last week's win at Repton, too often the attackers were isolated in possession, forced to take on two or three defenders at a time with no available teammate to pass to.

The scrappy start had seen several free-kicks awarded by referee Ari Mendonca and when Firoozan was bundled over fifteen yards inside the Berkhamsted half, the whistle again blew. Harrow sent players forwards to the edge of the box awaiting Breeden's delivery, but they needn't have bothered. The youngster confidently strode up to the ball and curled it straight into the far top corner from fully 30 yards out, almost beginning his celebrations before the ball had hit the net.

Energised by the audacious effort, belief surged through Harrovian veins and the navy shirts poured forwards in search of number two. A fine combination down the left saw three or four players exchange passes on the edge of the box before Breeden was crowded out as he prepared to shoot.

An unfortunate aerial collision left a Berkhamstedian prone on the turf but after a couple of minutes he was able to continue. Somewhat bizarrely, after a further minute of action, the referee stopped the game and booked the player for not leaving the field to receive attention - despite never having requested him to do so!

Harrow showed no sympathy however, doubling their lead in the 25th minute with a well-worked team move that began just outside their own box. Adejokun and Tass von Hirsch combined to snuff out a Berkhamsted attack, the former finding Brunt down the right. He carried the ball forwards but slightly overhit his cross, forcing Breeden beyond the far post. He turned and crossed again and, once more, the ball flew across the box and back to the waiting Brunt. This time the delivery was spot on, curled to the far post allowing Adejokun to out-jump the right-back and thump a header low past the 'keeper from six yards out.

To Berkhamsted's credit they refused to wilt and continued to match the visitors in the midfield area. Molloy and Richardson remained resolute at the back, both players using their experience to snuff out any danger. Indeed, 40 year-old Molloy had barely misplaced a pass in the opening forty minutes until one loose ball caused some nervy moments in the Harrow rearguard just prior to the break, culminating in a close-range shot that was repelled by a magnificent save from goalkeeper Fraser McGuinness, who threw himself full length to his right to turn the ball past the post.

At half-time a slightly tiring Harry Hoffen, who had unselfishly run the channels constantly without ever being rewarded with a through-ball of note, was replaced by Jesse Duah. Duah moved to the left with James Breeden asked to play through the middle.

And for the first ten minutes of the half the switch looked to have paid dividends with Harrow suddenly consistently finding space on the break to run at their opponents. Adejokun looked especially lively down the right and he carved out the opening chance of the half with a strong run across the edge of the box, cutting inside only to fire his shot just over the bar.

Five minutes later and his strike partner would show him how to do it. Tass von Hirsch was the facilitator, showing great strength to hold off an attacker before carrying the ball forwards over halfway and laying it into the path of Breeden. The striker was ten yards outside the box with three defenders in front of him. They did not trouble him. He skipped inside the first, outside the second before standing up the third, pausing briefly inside the box. A sudden acceleration around the outside and the ball was smashed in off the crossbar and just inside the far post before the goalkeeper had moved a muscle.

At this stage both a comfortable win and further goals for James Breeden looked almost certain, but rather disappointingly Harrow's level dropped and the game once more became a scrap, possession regained and lost with bewildering regularity. At this point, Harrow's formation should possibly have been changed, with the wide attackers offering little defensive assistance to the midfield trio.

As it was, the formation had little to do with Berkhamsted pulling a goal back on the hour mark. Richardson initially half-cleared a long ball into the box but Berkhamsted collected possession and worked it back in from their left wing. Again the ball should have been cleared but Harrow paid for their dithering, a Berkhamstedian eventually collecting the ball in space and producing a delicate chip over the stranded McGuinness.

As Berkhamsted went in search of a second and players tired in the constant downpour, space began to open up at both ends. James Breeden nearly completed his hat-trick when he arrowed a shot just wide of the far post. Instead, Berkamsted pulled another goal back with yet another scrappy effort, Harrow again failing to clear their lines when under pressure, allowing the ball to travel across the box and a simple close-range finish from an unmarked player.

The result should have been put beyond doubt moments later when Breeden somehow contrived to miss an almost unmissable chance, firing wide from the penalty spot after Jesse Duah had cut in and curled an effort on goal, the 'keeper parrying straight into the centre forward's path.

It was to be Jesse's last act of a disappointing afternoon for him as he was withdrawn with just under twenty minutes remaining and Lederman asked to shore up the midfield and prevent any further Berkhamsted pressure.

Fortunately, the result was soon put beyond doubt courtesy of two more clinical efforts from Breeden in quick succession. Collecting the ball on the right-hand side, he cut inside past two men before drilling the ball low inside the near post with his left foot. With his confidence sky-high, his fourth goal was almost mundane in comparison to his first three, robbing the last defender on the edge of the box before slotting past the 'keeper with minimal fuss.

There was still time for further drama, with both teams seeing players booked during several skirmishes as tempers flared somewhat, Adejokun, Breeden and von Hirsch the Harrow players cautioned.

With nothing to lose, Berkhamsted threw players forwards and for the last ten minutes bombarded the Harrow back four with a series of long balls which, in truth, the Blues did not defend particularly well. Several times, clearances were missed and panic ensued as the ball bobbled around inside the box.

The hosts were to pull a third goal back but by this time it was too late, Tass von Hirsch slightly unlucky to concede a penalty as he pressured his man on the outside. There was contact but there also appeared to be a delayed reaction before the player fell to the turf. Despite guessing the right way, McGuinness' mind powers failed to work this time, the ball being placed just beyond his reach.

The deserved win was vitally important, lifting Harrow above their opponents into second in the table with five games remaining. All thirteen players did their bit to ensure victory, although the performance of James Breeden was exceptional and one that will live long in the memory. His target must be to play in the remaining five games and reach the 30-goal mark for the season.

With Brentwood, next week's opponents, also firmly in the promotion mix, the Blues cannot afford any slip-ups and player availability will be key going forwards.