The 3s started the 2015/16 season with a strong squad and quiet confidence having had a solid season the year before. Availability before Christmas was the best it has been for a long time and the side made the most of a regular line-up, making a very good start to the season, picking up 10 points from the first five games.

The opening day of the season was played out in beautiful sunshine and saw the dismantling of a poor Cholms side away from home, scoring five goals, but unfortunately once again surrendering the opportunity to end a run of 38 games without a clean sheet – a fairly dismal record by any standards but at least the team clearly had their shooting boots firmly strapped on.

The wheels fell off the wagon slightly in a 6-0 defeat at home to Merchants Taylor in late October. In truth it was a shocking game from all concerned and one to forget but a rare blip in an otherwise highly encouraging season.

In a division that is now almost as difficult to get out of as ‘the pit’ in The Dark Knight Rises due to a complicated play-off structure, the 3s were always facing an uphill battle for promotion. However, the team did take it to the final day - the only realistic challenger to Bancroft and Merchants Taylor, the two 1st XI teams in the division.

Our return fixture against Cholms not only provided the 3s biggest winning margin of the season (six) but was also a momentous occasion for the team’s long-suffering defence. A well-earned and long overdue clean sheet for the first time since September 2012 was celebrated in fine style and is hopefully a turning point in the team's defensive form.

In perhaps the most defining game of the season, the team maintained a 1-0 lead away to Merchants Taylor up until the fourth minute of added time with a Herculean performance. A scrappy goal from a last-ditch corner for the home team was a heart-breaking moment and saw Harry Turner's men leave with only a point having got so close to stealing all three and a vital win that would have seen Harrow climb into the play-off places.

Promotion hopes were finally ended after a pretty dire day out in Forest that saw the team draw against 10 men with a lacklustre performance. This did not take away from the efforts that were put in all season from a strong core of players – something the 3s have struggled with in recent times. A third placed finish was a good result but perhaps didn’t tell the whole story.

Although Alex Smith was lost to the higher echelons of OH football for much of the season, it was great to see Ned Callander and Adam Graham filling in up top, chipping in with valuable goals. Chris Thorn was a great addition at the back and formed a good partnership with Sam Stirrat and Nick Kapoor. In midfield, Tom Faber and Pom Beeley were as consistent as ever, supported ably by 'the Duracell Bunny' Ludo Callander.

Harry Turner and Alec Fogarty hand over the reins to Ollie Feather and Nick Kapoor for next season with the squad in good health and excitement building for the year ahead.

Thanks to skipper Harry Turner for this review