Despite a valiant effort that saw the side lead early on playing with just ten men, the OHAFC 1st XI ultimately came up short against their illustrious opponents, exiting the Arthur Dunn Cup at the first hurdle for the second consecutive season following a 3-1 defeat away to the current holders the Old Carthusians. Following some shambolic preparations, the result and performance was a credit to Yunus Sert and his men, but nevertheless left the question of ‘what if?’ hanging in the air following the final whistle.

Availability for this prestigious and somewhat daunting challenge was disappointingly poor once again, injuries not helping a side that has already lost twice in Division One this season, in contrast to their hitherto unbeaten opponents, riding high in the upper echelons of the Premier Division. With a thin squad of twelve, the last thing the side could afford was any pre-match problems, but Oliver Acar’s late withdrawal meant that only eleven travelled and Ade Omisore was failing to answer his phone as kick-off approached. With the 2s in equal disarray following the late arrival of their twelfth player and kit, the Blues had no option but to start the tie with just ten players – hardly ideal against perennially the strongest side in the Arthurian League.

Nevertheless, the ten players that did take to the immaculate main pitch in Godalming for the start set to their task brilliantly, forming a compact back four and five-man midfield, James Breeden breaking forwards at any opportunity that presented itself. The defensive discipline served the visitors well and for the first quarter of an hour the Carthusians were frustrated in their attempts to break through.

Remarkably, it was the visitors who opened the scoring and, inevitably, it was another magnificent solo effort from James Breeden that did the damage, the quicksilver striker collecting the ball outside the box, beating several defenders before planting the ball into the far corner.

Alexi Pittalis’ arrival bolstered the Blues ranks back up to eleven players, but it was the hosts who responded the better to the switch, with Harrow’s discipline lapsing somewhat as they reverted to their standard 4-3-3 formation. The hosts switched play well to their two outstanding wingers, although full-backs MacIntyre and Hovey coped well. It was from out wide that the Carthusians levelled before the break however, an overlap down the Harrow right saw Hovey outnumbered and a wicked cross delivered into the box – the ensuing panic saw the ball swept into the net from close range.

Despite this setback it was a hugely encouraging first forty-five minutes for the visitors and there was genuine belief that they could compete with their opponents on equal terms. Disappointingly, the concession of an early goal in the second half dented that confidence, another pinpoint cross from the hosts’ left-back left keeper Emre Sert stranded and the ball glanced inside the far post via the striker’s head.

Any thoughts of a stroll to victory for the Premier Division side were dispelled as the game the settled down into something of a scrappy affair with neither side able to carve out any clear-cut chances. Harrow continued to try to feed James Breeden, but too often he was isolated in attack and left with too many defenders to try to beat. Wide men Jesse Duah, playing his first game of the season, and Alex Gilbert were too often on the periphery of the action, the accelerated pace of play seeing the Harrow midfield hurried more than usual.

The result was finally put beyond doubt with just under ten minutes remaining when an incisive Charterhouse attack down the left presented the winger with a one-on-one. As Sert flew out of goal, the ball clipped his leg and dribbled in at the near post, a rather fortunate finish.

The final minutes saw the visitors once more reduced to ten men, Rollo Hovey helped off the field following an accidental clash with an opponent that left him temporarily dazed.

Despite the expected defeat, the OHAFC performance was encouraging, especially given the shambolic build-up to the game. The side showed that they can compete with one of the best sides in the League and, with a fully-fit squad to choose from, may even have been able to force a replay. How the rest of the season pans out will rely heavily on the squad’s attitude going forwards.

*Thanks to Rollo Hovey for his assistance with this match report