The OHAFC 3rd XI produced an excellent performance to beat the Old Columbans 3-0 on Saturday afternoon, keeping only their second clean sheet of the season and, in the process, leapfrogging their opponents into second in Division Four of the Arthurian League. Goals either side of the break from Harry Bick saw the hosts earn a commanding 2-0 lead from which Columbans, who beat the OHAFC 3s in last season’s Division Five title play-off, never looked likely to recover. A late third from leading scorer Alex Smith was the icing on the cake.

Despite comfortable wins in their two previous Cup outings, including last week’s 4-2 victory over the Old Kingstonians, the 3s’ League form has been patchy in recent games, with a 2-2 draw at home to Brentwoods preceded by the disappointing 4-1 loss at Suttonians in early December. With Saturday’s opponents the Old Columbans having climbed into second in the table behind the Suttonians, and the Old Stoics also firmly in contention for one of the two promotion spots, this was a crucial game for the OHAFC.

In truth, there wasn’t much to separate the two sides throughout the ninety minutes, but the Blues always looked the more assured team in possession. Despite this, it was the visitors who created the first two clear-cut chances, a couple of sights of the Harrow goal that, thankfully, flew narrowly wide of the target.

Harrow responded well though, putting together some neat passages of play and they were rewarded for their efforts with the opening goal just before the half-hour mark. Alex Smith held the ball well close to the goal line and was fouled by a Columban defender. Harry Bick assumed responsibility and, whether through luck or by design, his effort curled over everyone and into the far top corner, sparking scenes of jubilation among his teammates.

The hosts continued to look the sharper on the ball either side of the break and they doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half following an excellent move down the right that saw the ball squared for Smith to run onto. He drew the final defender before unselfishly squaring for Bick to beat the keeper for his, and Harrow’s second. The winger has now scored thirteen goals in all competitions for the club this season – comfortably his best return in OHAFC colours.

With the scoreline firmly against them and time running out, the Columbans became increasingly frustrated, referee Julian Courtenay bearing the brunt of their constant grumblings.

But the hosts continued to press and Bick was gifted a perfect opportunity to seal his hat-trick following some tenacious play from Ned Callander, who squared only for Harrow’s goalscorer to fluff his lines and send the ball just past the post.

The miss had little bearing on the outcome of the game however, with Alex Smith confirming the win with a third twenty minutes from time. The 3s’ leading scorer over the past decade rarely misses an opportunity to get his name on the scoresheet and having been sent clean through on goal he made no mistake, firing past the keeper to seal a hugely impressive win.

Doubtlessly there are still plenty of twists and turns to come in the Division Four promotion race, but this result ensures the OHAFC are still firmly in the thick of it and earns the side a psychological advantage ahead of the return fixture with Columbans, slated to be played in early March.

Thanks to Harry Bick for his assistance with this match report