The OHAFC 3rd narrowly missed out on claiming their first ever piece of silverware following a hard-fought 1-0 defeat to the Old Berkhamstedians 2s in the final of the David Woolcott Trophy on Saturday morning. Under bright, sunny skies, the two sides struggled to really get going with an early 10.15am kick-off and a stiff breeze contributing to a rather turgid encounter that was decided in somewhat predictable fashion: a corner for the Berkhamstedians ten minutes into the second half was flicked on at the near post and the ball took a couple of unfortunate ricochets before somehow bouncing past two defenders on the line. Despite pushing more men forwards in the latter stages, the OHAFC never really looked capable of equalising, a couple of late set-pieces that caused panic in the opposition area the only time the Berkhamsteds rearguard looked capable of being breached.

It was a tough end to what has been a hugely encouraging season for the 3s and their skipper Joss Awdry, who was hoping to become the first Harrow captain to lift some silverware since the 2s won the Junior League Cup in 2011 – the two Vets Cup successes in the intervening years notwithstanding. For this final, competed for by sides in Divisions Four and Five of the Arthurian League, the captain kept faith with the same fourteen that had secured a memorable 3-2 victory away to Brentwoods 3s in the semis, the extra two substitutes allotted for this game allowing both Henry Collins and Freddie Everett to be included.

The two teams had already met twice in the League, with the Berkhamstedians having assured themselves of promotion but not the Division Four title – the side from Hertfordshire have one League game remaining but can still be pipped to top spot by Brentwoods 3s. The two sides shared a 2-2 draw on the Hill back in early November, but in the return fixture, on the astroturf in Chiswick in mid-December, the home side ran out comfortable 6-0 winners and the Berkhamstedians went into this final as narrow favourites. Nevertheless, the confidence gained from winning away in Essex in the semi-finals had undoubtedly imbued the OHAFC 3s with genuine belief that they could yet emerge victorious.

A decent crowd, including many of the 3s squad who had featured throughout the season, were present for the early kick-off at Merchant Taylors – the DWT Final preceding both the Junior League Cup and Arthur Dunn Cup finals. And those present on the touchline were treated to a frantic opening twenty minutes that saw chances at both ends of the pitch. The OHAFC, playing in their smart new white away strip, forced an early corner and right-back David Liu saw his goal-bound effort blocked. But with ten minutes played, the men in white had a fortunate escape when the Berkhamstedians thought they had scored from a long throw only for the goal to be ruled out for offside: the flick-on was turned goalwards but Tom Mitchell saved only to see the rebound slammed in from close range – fortunately the celebrations were cut off in their infancy. Back up the other end and a quick Harrow break saw Alfie Hayes’ cross cleared to the edge of the box, Alex Kenderdine-Davies arriving from left-back only to fire over the bar.

Given this frantic opening, it was natural to expect an open, end-to-end contest continuing for the remainder of the game. But play became increasingly scrappy, the OHAFC content to defend their lines with the five-man rearguard that had served so well against the Brentwoods. With Hayes and Alvin Adefarasin seeing little of the ball up front and the three centre-halves Awdry, Dunn and Simon Nicholson keeping the Berkhamsteds forwards quiet, goalmouth incident at both ends almost dried up completely. Indeed, the most anxious moment in the remainder of the first half was a short pass back from Nicholson that saw Mitchell race off his line to clear just in front of a rapidly approaching forward.

The OHAFC began to enjoy a bit more possession in the final ten minutes of the half but again it was their opponents who created the only chance: a free-kick curled beyond the far post was just about kept in play, the ball diverted back over Mitchell’s head only to be volleyed over from six yards out.

Half-time saw the Harrow skipper shuffle his pack once more, with Adam Graham and Rupert Stonehill having already entered the fray earlier on. Toby Colehan became the final substitute allowed in the ninety minutes, with Everett and Collins now forced to wait to see if extra-time would permit one of them to also be used.

The men in white made an excellent start to the second half, pressing from the off and pinning the Berkhamstedians inside their own half. Kenderdine-Davies drove down the left, combined with Hayes and Tobi Adebayo and they teed up Adam Graham only for his volley on the turn to land on the roof of the net. The striker was now right in the thick of things, flying into a challenge with a defender and somewhat fortunate to escape a yellow card given the ball was barely in the frame. But he again threatened to break the deadlock, a break from a Berkhamsteds corner allowing him to storm forwards and almost take on the entire defence single-handed. Twice shots were blocked, the effort was weaker and comfortably saved.

With the OHAFC on top, it was firmly against the run of play that the opposition opened the scoring ten minutes into the half with the scruffiest of goals. A corner was forced on their right and curled into the near post. The flick-on was well executed but what followed was a couple of hugely unfortunate deflections that turned the ball goalwards and, agonisingly slowly, beyond the despairing dive of Mitchell and scrambling Awdry and Kenderdine-Davies on the line. The Berkhamstedians celebrated almost with a hint of incredulity at how the deadlock had been broken.

Harrow now had thirty-five minutes to forge an equaliser but in truth it never looked likely. The goal spurred Berkhamstedians on they looked the more likely side to add to the scoring, although chances were again at a premium. Awdry switched to a back four with a quarter of an hour remaining and defenders began to creep forwards with intent as the minutes ticked down. The final ten minutes did see some Harrovian pressure with Charlie Dunn delivering a couple of excellent set-pieces with his left foot, Adam Graham seeing his shot from the corner of the area well held by the keeper. But there were no real alarms for the Berkhamstedians and so the favourites to win the competition from the outset justified their billing, lifing the trophy presented to them by Arthurian League Chairman Will Hoyle.

The OHAFC 3s can only feel proud of their efforts, a solitary, unfortunate goal the only difference between the sides on the day. As the skipper so rightly told his troops afterwards, this has been a strong showing from the 3s this season and they should have firm designs on competing at the very top of Division Four next season.

For now, however, OHAFC action is finished for the season, the dinner at Queen’s Club on Friday the final curtain on what has been another enjoyable eight months for all those involved.