The OHAFC 1st XI returned to action following a month-long winter break and there were definite signs of rustiness as a couple of defensive howlers proved costly in a 2-1 defeat away to the Old Radleians on the astroturf in Twickenham. Despite enjoying much the better of the second half, a long punt forwards from Radley caused confusion in the Harrow rearguard and they were punished as an excellent finish sealed the points for the hosts. As a result the Blues drop below their conquerors into sixth in Division One.

After a long hiatus between games, it was encouraging to see a strong squad of twelve make the short trip down to Twickenham for the resumption of the 1s on-off bid for promotion. The midfield trio of Alex Breeden, Brunt and Firoozan promised plenty of creativity and a front three of Okoigun, Acar and leading scorer James Breeden offered an enticing mix of pace, power and finishing ability. With both Sert brothers, Hovey, Maxwell and MacIntyre manning the defence and a fit-again Jack Hill ready to add energy and drive from the bench, there was plenty of room for optimism against a side that had already been beaten 3-2 on the Hill back in October.

Conditions on that occasion were slightly more forgiving however, as the rather tired artificial surface at Lincoln Field produced plenty of bobbles that hindered both sides in their endeavours to pass the ball at speed. As a result, the first half was a scrappy affair with neither side able to dominate. Mike Okoigun struggled to maintain possession up front for Harrow, being well-marshalled by the Radley back four. A few sorties down the left from James Breeden aside, there was little sign of a Harrow threat.

The game suddenly sprang into life on the half-hour mark with both sides, remarkably, scoring own goals barely five minutes apart. Harrow’s effort was a disastrous affair, an innocuous ball through saw Emre Sert attempt to clear but only succeed in hammering the ball into his brother and watching in horror as it ricocheted back past him into an empty net.

At least Harrow’s equaliser soon afterwards owed its build-up to an excellent exchange between Dan Firoozan and Oli Acar, the former cutting the ball back from the goal line only for the Radley keeper and centre-half to get in each other’s way and somehow contrive to turn the ball into their own goal.

The second half began in brighter fashion for the hosts, who played with greater purpose and cohesion. Jack Hill’s introduction from the bench proved a fillip as he tore around the pitch with his usual zeal. But despite the visitors’ improvement, there was still a dearth of clear-cut chances being created: Okoigun and Brunt had glimpses of goal but no more and James Breeden found himself well-shackled whenever he tried to weave his magic down the left.

Radley had offered little threat themselves and a draw looked likely as play entered the final ten minutes before another momentary hesitation in the Harrow defence proved fatal: a long ball forwards saw Emre Sert caught in two minds about whether to come or not, unfortunately delaying long enough to allow the lone Radley striker to pounce, stealing the ball and firing home into the bottom corner.

It was a cruel blow to the visitors who deserved more for their play in the second half. The final few minutes proved fractious as tempers boiled over, frustration getting the better of several Harrow players as the seconds ticked down and the defeat was confirmed. Suffice to say the mood in the changing room after the final whistle was not a particularly happy one.

The side need to put this loss behind them as quickly as possible and they have an ideal opportunity to do so with a trip to bottom side the Old Aldenhamians next Saturday.

Thanks to Alex Breeden & Freddie Brunt for their help with this report