Weekend Round-Up: Goals aplenty but only one point

20 Nov 2023

All three OHAFC sides were involved in high-scoring affairs on Saturday, but only the 1st XI had anything to show for their efforts.

The 1s were involved in an entertaining 3-3 draw away to the Old Malvernians on the astroturf at Brunel University in Uxbridge. An early defensive error gifted the hosts the lead, but the Blues levelled before the break, Oli Acar latching onto Walid Nsouli's pass and beating the keeper. Malvernians took the lead for a second time with a well-worked free-kick but the visitors stepped up through the gears and scored twice to earn a 3-2 lead, Nsouli smashing in a superb effort from the corner of the box, before Will Payne turned in from close range. But hopes of a win were dashed with a quarter of an hour remaining when the Malvernians scored via a deflection. Late Harrow pressure failed to produce a winner.

The OHAFC 2s also failed to hold onto a second half lead at home to the Old Shirburnians on the Phil, eventually losing 3-2. The hosts hit the front after only six minutes with a well-worked goal brilliantly finished by Ogyen Verhagen. Despite dominating the early exchanges, the Blues failed to push on and were pegged back when the visitors scored from a free-kick. David Lederman fired in from close range ten minutes into the second half to restore the Blues' advantage, but Shirburnians continued to press and earned their reward when they took advantage of some hesitation at the back to level before sealing the win from the spot, keeper Rory Craig bringing down the striker following a well-worked move.

Meanwhile, the 3s lost by the same scoreline away to Westminster 2s on the astro at Bacon Community College astroturf in Rotherhithe. Despite a solid display from the visitors, the hosts scored twice in quick succession to take control. Striker Adam Graham smashed in a long-range effort from 30 yards out just before the break to restore some hope and when fellow forward Freddie Everett headed in a superb pass from skipper Joss Awdry the result was firmly in the balance. But Westminsters stole the win ten minutes from time with a well-placed shot from just inside the box.

Team sheets and match reports from all three games are now available in the results section.