The OHAFC 3rd XI put on a complete display to demolish a Stoics side they had already been beaten by this season to record their first win of the season and in the process propel themselves up to sixth in the Division Four table. Alvin Adefarasin was the star of the show, scoring a second half hat-trick in only his second appearance in OHAFC colours. Further efforts from skipper Olly Roberts, Tobi Adebayo, Freddie Everett and Khalil Baoku completed the rout - in the process securing the 3s' biggest win since an 8-1 mauling of Haberdashers in the 2018/19 season.

With regular captain Tom Mitchell called up by the 1s, Henry Collins donned the gloves in goal. And he was soon in action, the hosts taking an early lead when a low cross from out wide was somehow scuffed into the top corner, the looping effort giving the stand-in custodian no chance.

But fears of a repeat of the disappointing 5-1 defeat suffered at the hands of the Stoics back in mid-September were soon allayed in an impressive display that saw the visitors hit back to score three times before the break. Joss Awdry provided the inspiration for the first, driving from centre-back past three or four players before teeing up Toby Adebayo on the edge of the box to finish sweetly into the top left corner with a volleyed effort, his first of the season. Freddie Everett scored the second, at the second attempt after the keeper had parried the initial shot and stand-in skipper Olly Roberts grabbed the third just before the break, taking advantage of some rather ponderous Stowe defending to rob a centre-back and fire home into the far corner.

Despite the advantage, the 3s' earlier struggles this season, coupled with the memory of the previous defeat to the Stoics,meant there was little room for complacency at half-time. Luke Berry and Henry Kirby were added to the fray and Roberts and Charlie Lupton dropped into holding roles in front of the back four in a bid to provide greater protection.

This tactic worked a treat, with Stoics enjoying plenty of the ball but unable to further test Collins in goal. And on the break the visitors proved lethal, with new signing Adefarasin showing superb finishing prowess from the right wing with his left foot. Three times the ball found its way to him, three times he finished unerringly past the keeper into the far corner. When Khalil Baoku made it seven in the closing stages, the Blues could relax knowing their first victory of the season was in the bag.