What a glorious day for some football! The sun shone as the OHAFC 1st XI made their way to Brunel University in west London for Saturday’s First Division fixture away to the Old Malvernians – a side they had little trouble in defeating home and away last season. With an excellent 5-2 win over Lancing Old Boys in their opening fixture, and the return to the squad of last season’s leading scorer and talisman James Breeden, there was plenty of sunny optimism among Harrovian ranks.

Breeden was not the only new name on the teamsheet, with Hugo Trower, who was asked to play an unfamiliar role at centre half, Archie Maxwell, at left-back, and midfielder Chester Robinson all making their first appearances of the season.

As usual at Brunel, the huge main pitch, surrounded by the athletics track, was in good condition – surely to the advantage of the visitors and their three-pronged, fleet-footed attack of Bamford, Morrison and Breeden.

Harrow started the game in dominant fashion, with Malvern sitting deep an offering little by way of threat other than the occasional long ball forwards, dealt with comfortably by the Harrow back four. But the visitors also struggled to find much fluency going forwards, Will Bamford missing the best chance of the opening period when he skewed a left-foot shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

The breakthrough came after twenty-five minutes and some excellent team play that allowed Jack Hill to play a perfectly measured through-ball between the centre halves for James Breeden to run onto. There was never any doubting the outcome, the ball swiftly ending up in the back of the net.

The goal lifted the visitors’ confidence and they began to play with more fluency and precision. Doug Morrison strained a hamstring which meant he was replaced by Mike Okoigun but the change failed to interrupt the visitors’ dominance, Bamford especially enjoying himself down the right, tormenting his full-back on numerous occasions. The second goal duly arrived shortly before the break, James Breeden’s corner skimmed over Trower’s head but fell perfectly at the feet of Alex Breeden to turn in from close range for his second goal of the season.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first had ended, Harrow now in full control and linking well, using the space and switching the play far more frequently. Mike Okoigun continued his fine early season form, holding the ball up and linking the play superbly and it was from one such occasion that Harrow scored their third, ten minutes into the half, to make it 3-0 and put the game beyond Malvern: Okoigun retained possession before feeding James Breeden and he made no mistake, firing into the bottom left corner.

In the half hour that remained, it was simply a question of how many more the Blues could bolster their goal difference by and they doubled their tally to complete a resounding 6-0 win. Bamford was next to score, latching onto a ball over the top of the bedraggled Malvern left-back and curling delightfully past the keeper from the edge of the box. Okoigun scored a thumping fifth, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turning and smashing a shot in off the near post with his left foot. And James Breeden completed his hat-trick, and the team’s scoring for the day, ten minutes from time, with yet another superlative individual effort, bringing down a ball over the top and leading the Malvern back four on a merry dance before smashing home.

The 23 year-old, who scored a remarkable 32 goals in 16 League and Cup appearances for the 1st XI last season, is already a goal ahead of his tally at the same stage last season having played a game less. He will undoubtedly be attempting to follow in the footsteps of Harry Kane, and not Mo Salah, in proving he is far from a one-season wonder.

Although the striker will claim the plaudits once more, Saturday’s win owed everything to the team – not least the composed display by the back four, who looked secure defensively and used the ball purposefully going forwards, allowing the side to dominate much of the play.

Next week sees the visit of second-placed Repton to the Hill and another stern test of the Blues’ promotion credentials. Having hit the summit of the division so early this season, the Harrow scalp will be the one every team is looking to take from now on.

*Thanks to Alex Breeden for this match report