For the second time in a little over a month, the OHAFC 1st XI made short work of this season’s Division One whipping boys the Old Aldenhamians with another six-goal victory that lifts the side back into the top half of the table. James Breeden had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in Hertfordshire, scoring five of Harrow’s six goals, taking his tally for the two games against Aldenham to a ridiculous nine – in comparison, the 23 year-old has ‘only’ scored six goals in his other seven appearances this season.

For Yunus Sert’s men to even harbour ambitions of getting back into the promotion race, victory on Saturday was non-negotiable. Aldenham were dispatched 7-1 on the Hill in early December and have been propping up Division One for nearly the entire season, having earned just four points from ten games prior to Harrow’s visit.

An early start was required, with an 11am kick-off for the longest away trip of the season. And there was some unwelcome news on arrival, with the non-appearance of Oliver Acar. With just twelve players travelling, this meant Emre Sert playing the whole game at left-back, something he has previously proven well capable of for the 2s.

Fortunately, the youngster wasn’t missed, with barely five minutes on the clock before the visitors took the lead, Mike Okoigun getting on the end of a Dan Firoozan cross to fire home the opening goal.

Harrow began to enjoy themselves on the wide Aldenham playing surface, with the midfield of James Walduck, making only his second appearance for the club, Alex Breeden and Chester Robinson dominating and supplying plenty of ammunition for the front trio of Firoozan, Okoigun and James Breeden.

Further goals always looked likely and the visitors scored twice more before the break, James Breeden claiming his first with an excellent left-footed half-volley from the edge of the box before adding another in similar style just after the half-hour mark.

The second half offered more of the same with a poor Aldenham side, who in the past have proven tricky opponents for the OHAFC, put to the sword in some style. Breeden scored three more, completing his hat-trick just five minutes after the break with yet another left-foot finish – surely one of the few all left-footed hat-tricks scored in OHAFC colours?

Numbers four and five for the striker arrived late on: his fourth was a gift as the Aldenham keeper fired a clearance straight at him allowing a simple finish and the scoring was rounded off following a neat move that saw Mike Okoigun’s shot spilt into the striker’s path, again allowing a simple route to goal. With Aldenham safely dealt with, the 1s’ season could well be defined by their next few games. A trip to face the Old Marlburians on the astro in Twickenham is up first, with the OHAFC knowing that a victory would lift the side above their opponents and possibly as high as third. There then follows a trip to Kingston to face a resurgent Lancing side who have recovered from an appalling start to the season to now sit comfortably in mid-table. And a week later sees the visit of leaders the Old Alleynians to the Hill. It is a tough run of games that will require good availability and a strong mental attitude to prevail. In short, it is crunch time for the OHAFC 1st XI.

*Thanks to Dan Firoozan for his help with this report