The OHAFC 2nd XI strolled into the quarter-finals of the Junior League Cup and a home tie against Old Brentwoods 2s with a comprehensive 7-1 win over Old Westminsters 2s on the Hill on Saturday afternoon. Early struggles on a surprisingly poor Phil pitch were cast aside late on in the first half, the home side easing any nerves with a three-goal burst courtesy of Tristan David, Alexi Pittalis and Pablo Hutchinson. Second half efforts from Tom Ward, Max Curry, Jack Alhadeff and a second for Hutchinson completed the rout, the visitors’ lone response arguably the best goal of the lot, a superb free-kick curled into the top corner.

With Westminsters having already knocked out the OHAFC 3s and Division Two side the Old Sennockians in previous rounds, there was never a chance that complacency would cloud the performance of the OHAFC 2nd XI. A strong squad of fourteen was named, with skipper Geoff Taunton-Collins afforded the luxury of naming himself, Jack Alhadeff and David Lederman on the bench. Pablo Hutchinson returned up front, with Callum Barrett making his first appearance of 2022 in his usual left-back spot and Jack Dolbey earning a starting berth in midfield.

Despite heavy rain earlier in the week, it was still with some shock that the team ventured out of the Alcock Pavilion to be greeted by a soft, uneven pitch, the grass clearly not having been cut for some time. And this perhaps stalled the initial progress of the home side, who found moving the ball with speed and precision a rather laborious task. Barrett and Tristan David enjoyed some success down the left, the visitors’ early efforts demonstrating several skilled players in midfield and pace up front, but a back four that looked ripe for picking.

It took half an hour for the first goal to arrive, Tristan David’s low finish under the keeper making up for an earlier miss when he somehow shanked the ball wide from barely five yards out. Alexi Pittalis then finished from close range following Pablo Hutchinson’s initial effort and Hutchinson himself added a third in short order, barrelling his way through several challenges inside the box before firing home into an empty net. In the space of ten minutes, a potentially tricky tie was firmly in Harrow’s control.

Alhadeff and Taunton-Collins came off the bench, replacing Monroe and a tiring Will Payne, but once again the hosts found it something of a struggle to make headway early in the half. Thankfully, the goals began to flow once more: Max Curry and Hutchinson headed home from close range, Ward then rampaged forwards from the back, collecting Payne’s pass before smashing in from a narrow angle. But the best goal of the lot was a curled finish from Jack Alhadeff, who placed a lovely shot into the far top corner after Pittalis had flicked on Hutchinson’s square pass.

There was still time for the visitors to score, an unfortunate handball decision going against Felix Orchard on the edge of the box and allowing one of the Westminster centre-halves to almost casually flick the ball over the wall and into the near top corner, keeper Charlie Walsh left motionless.

A comfortable victory for the Blues, who now face Division Three strugglers Old Brentwoods 2s in the quarter-finals. The tie will be played at home, which should prove an advantage, although it must be hoped the usually pristine Phil pitches can be recovered in the coming days if the Blues are to enjoy home comforts to their fullest.