The OHAFC 3rd XI's superb unbeaten run in Arthurian League football finally came to a grinding halt on Saturday when they were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by the side they knocked out of the Junior League Cup the week before, the Old Suttonians.

Despite winning 3-0 in the Cup, Saturday's League game bore little resemblance to the sides' previous encounter. Harrow were keen to carry both momentum and confidence following the cup win seven days previous, but also stressed the need to be focused as Sutton were undoubtedly the best team the blues had faced this season.

Harrow were fortunate to name an almost identical squad to the last game, as well as welcoming back regular wide man Ned Callender. In addition the blues had the opportunity to rely on a strong bench in the form of Henry Bamford and Murry Barr, fresh from a stint in the A League 'down under'. The starting eleven set up with Jon Sharples between the sticks, Max Morgan and the Barrett’s at the back with Nick Kapoor operating in front, which left Tommy Faber, Ned Callender, and the Bick brothers supporting big man Alex Smith up top.

The game started predicatably enough between two teams with an identical League record, a tight affair with Suttonians coming out strong and pressing high up the pitch. It must be said that Harrow started the game much better than in last week's win, nullifying Suttonian’s intricate passing in the final third. The Harrow full-backs of Callum Barrett and Max Morgan started the game superbly, with solid defensive contributions and attacking overlaps causing problems for their opponents. Harrow were unfortunate not to go ahead after twenty minutes when Kyle Barrett sent winger Ned Callender through on goal, only for the Suttonian keeper to spoil the one on one chance.

Shortly afterwards, Suttonians reacted well to the Harrow pressure and through some neat play down their right hand side opened up the Harrow defence, but through some excellent tracking back Charlie Bick snuffed out the chance. Harrow created some half-chances from a number of set-pieces but the deadlock was finally broken after Harrow’s player of the half, right-back Max Morgan, scored a belter from the edge of the box to senhe Blues in a goal to the good at the break.

Henry Bamford and Murray Barr were introduced for the second half, with the latter almost making a dream start to his OHAFC career with a one-on-one opportunity after another pin-point through-ball from Charlie Bick. However, this time around Suttonians proved a far harder nut to crack than in the Cup the week before and moments after missing a clutch chance the home team levelled the scores: a quickly-taken goal-kick saw the hosts progress down their right and, with the Blues, disorganised at the back, a cross into the box allowed a simple tap-in for the striker.

Lapses in concentration and individual play seemed to be the theme of the second half for the visitors and they would ultimately cost Harrow the game. A penalty was conceded and two further goals as the usually-resolute Harrow back four had a rare off day. Indeed, it is th first time the 3s have conceded four goals in the League in ten matches.

A mention must go to Alex Smith and Tommy Faber who showed huge endeavour throughout the match but, ultimately as a collective, the Harrow eleven lacked shape and quality in the second half and ended the match well beaten.

So the Suttonians take over at the top of Division Four with the win, the OHAFC slipping to second. After relinquishing top spot Harrow will look to make amends with the return fixture to come in the new year, the battle for promotion still with plenty of twists and turns to come.

Many thanks to Connor Barrett for this report