The OHAFC 1st XI’s unbeaten four-game run came to an abrupt and comprehensive end at the hands of a surprisingly strong Old Salopians side on Saturday afternoon, the hosts running away with a fine 7-1 victory over the Blues on the astroturf in Chiswick. The visitors were unfortunate to concede a harsh penalty early on and then fell two behind a minute before the break. But there was only one team in it in the second half, the Salopians scoring some fine goals to run away with a convincing win and close to within a point of the OHAFC in the middle of Division One. Harrow’s consolation strike came from the spot, Charlie Bick converting following a foul on George Taylor.

This defeat was as surprising as it was disappointing, with the Blues’ strong recent run and Salopians' 4-1 loss at home to the Tonbridgians last time out suggesting a much closer contest than the final scoreline indicated. Skipper Dan Firoozan, back on the touchline following last week’s birthday weekend away, was again able to name a strong outfit, with eight of the players who helped the side earn an excellent 3-0 win over the Radleians in action again here. Ed Nicholson’s season is over, with an operation due on his troublesome shoulder, Harry Bick and Ciaran Jordan were both away. In came Cassius Kidston to partner Kyle Barrett at the back, Murray Barr fit again and in his new full-back role and Jamie Jordache into midfield alongside experienced duo Yunus Sert and Charlie Bick. The front three of Payne, Acar and Taylor remained, with the only disappointment the lack of any substitutes.

Conditions on the astroturf at the King’s House Sports Ground were unexpectedly tricky, with the heavy morning rain having failed to drain from several places. One corner in particular was thoroughly sodden, with the ball almost coming to a standstill when rolling through it. Nevertheless, referee Elijah Marrs, a regular face for the OHAFC 1s, was happy the playing surface was in generally decent enough shape and so the game kicked off on the stroke of midday as scheduled.

The early stages proved tricky, as expected, for both sides with the heavy playing surface causing numerous poor touches and misplaced passes. Salopians pressed the Blues inside their own half and made life incredibly tricky for their opponents, the front three unable to get a foothold in the game at all. Tom Mitchell was forced into a fine early save to keep the Blues on level terms, but there was little he could do when the hosts were handed, quite literally, the opening goal after a quarter of an hour. A Salopians attack reached the Harrow penalty area and Kyle Barrett, not for the first time, was forced into a lunging tackle to prevent a shot on goal. As the defender slid to the ground, the ball ricocheted off his body and cannoned into his arm, which was planted by his side. But vociferous Salopian appeals had the desired effect and the referee pointed to the spot, much to the incredulity of those in blue. The kick was efficiently dispatched and the visitors found themselves a goal down with work to do.

But the remainder of the half proved an almighty slog. Salopians were quick, physical up front and far more threatening than their recent form suggested. The Harrow midfield were unable to build up any kind of rhythm and the front three were too often forced inside into congested areas – puzzling given the effectiveness the wide players Payne and Acar have shown on numerous occasions this season. Despite this, it appeared as though the Blues would limp through to the half just the one goal behind, but a second for the hosts a minute before the interval put a very different complexion on the scoreline. Somewhat ironically, the goal actually stemmed from a Harrow attack that was broken up and the ball launched through the middle. The striker was slipped in and, after managing to evade another lunge from Kyle Barrett, who rather awkwardly twisted his knee in the process, fired a shot straight at Mitchell. The keeper parried but the ball unkindly fell perfectly back to the Salopian to slot in. Barrett limped off but, to much relief given the lack of any replacements, was able to take his place for the start of the second half.

Both sides tested their opposing keepers after the interval, Salopians with a couple of long-range efforts, Charlie Bick firing a free-kick inches wide for the Blues. Bick then had a decent chance from possibly the visitors’ best move of the match as he was picked out through the middle by Murray Barr, but could only direct his left-foot effort straight at the keeper. But two goals in two minutes from the hosts killed any hopes of a comeback and forced the visitors to contemplate a long forty minutes of football remaining. The third was borne out of a swift move down the left wing which produced a low cross beyond the far post, cushioned back for a simple finish from eight yards out. Two minutes later the visitors were yet again caught on the break. This time a Harrow corner was cleared to the edge of the box and played out to the right wing. The Salops forward drove into the final third, past Murray Barr, and squared for another simple tap-in from close range.

With the result now beyond doubt, the Salopians dropped their level for a while and allowed the visitors back into the game. George Taylor earned the visitors a fairly soft penalty of their own when he fell under a challenge just inside the box, Charlie Bick firing into the bottom left corner to reduce the arrears to 4-1. But straight from kick-off the hosts earned a corner, the ball was curled to the far post and headed back across goal and into the far corner for the simplest reply imaginable.

Unsurprisingly, this rather took the wind out of the Harrow sails and the remaining half-hour saw the men in blue resemble a rather dispirited bunch. Salopians added two more goals for good measure, Cassius Kidston turning in a cross from the left for an own goal and then, with five minutes left, the best goal of the game arrived, a superb individual effort from the Salops forward who collected the ball on the right, cut back across the edge of the penalty area before curling a wicked left-foot shot around a couple of Harrow defenders and in off the far post.

Harrovian misery was completed a couple of minutes later when a strong challenge on Cyprian Owen Edmunds saw him limp off the pitch having to be supported by a couple of teammates. Fortunately, the damage to his ankle doesn’t appear too severe. It proved a miserable ending to a thoroughly miserable day. The side must now pick themselves up for their final fixture of the year, a trip across London to face the Old Westminsters on the astroturf in Rotherhithe.