The OHAFC 3rd XI’s miserable run against the Old Brentwoods 3s in Division Four continued on Saturday morning as the Blues suffered a heavy 7-2 defeat to partner the 8-2 drubbing suffered on the Hill against the same opposition back in October. This latest loss to the Essex side means the OHAFC are yet to claim a point from four fixtures and have scored just seven goals to their opponents’s twenty-three.

With the hosts tucked in squarely behind the top two sides in Division Four with several games in hand, motivation was never going to be a problem for this game. The Blues named a squad of twelve for the fixture, but skipper Joss Awdry continues to struggle with a sore knee and he would last just five minutes before having to be replaced by lone substitute George Whitcombe.

By this stage the home side had already come within inches of taking the lead, an effort whizzing just wide of the Harrow goal. The visitors didn’t help themselves in the early stages, a couple of weak goal-kicks and clearances gifting Brentwoods a two-goal head start. But on the half-hour, with the visitors clearly second best, a brief glimmer of light pierced the gloom when Toby Colehan delivered an excellent cross to the far post, Jordan Holmes cut the ball back and Freddie Everett fired in to reduce the arrears to just one.

The goal lifted Harrow spirits and for a short while play became an even contest, the Blues competing strongly in midfield courtesy of the tireless Dan Graham, who was ably assisted by Tobi Adebayo and Rupert Stonehill. But just as it appeared as though the away side could at least make a game of things, two quick goals just before the break restored the Brentwoods swagger and ensured half-time would be a rather sombre reflection for the men in blue.

The hosts played well at the start of the second half, dominating possession and scoring twice more to establish a five-goal cushion that put the result beyond any doubt. Adam Graham momentarily interrupted this dominance with a superb effort of his own, turning ten yards outside the box and firing into the top corner to make it 6-2. But the Blues then suffered the indignity of missing a penalty, Everett seeing his effort saved by the keeper following a foul on Toby Colehan. Brentwoods immediately broke upfield to score a seventh and complete a miserable outing for the OHAFC.

Things will hopefully be slightly easier for the 3s next weekend when they host the Old Cheltonians in the first round of the David Woolcott Trophy, the Cheltonians sitting currently in third in Division Five.