The OHAFC 1st XI were left to rue a string of missed chances as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against an Old Ardinians side who appear near certainties to be playing Premier Division football next season. A combination of wayward finishing and some basic defensive errors cost the Blues dearly in a game in which for long spells they were the better side. Defeat leaves the OHAFC still hovering just above the drop zone in seventh whilst the Ardinians remain second, despite having won all six of their League fixtures to date and racking up a goal difference of plus twenty-one in the process.

The OHAFC had enjoyed a week off since their narrow 1-0 defeat away to the Old Rugbeians in the first round of the Dunn Cup and skipper Dan Firoozan was able to name a strong squad of thirteen for the short trip to Kings House Sports Ground in Chiswick to face an opponent who had won the corresponding fixture 7-3 last season. Vice-captain Ed Beecham returned for his first appearance of the season following a troublesome calf strain and Harry Bick slotted in at left-back in only his second appearance, the first having come at the same venue in the 3-1 victory over the Old Salopians a month ago. Otherwise the side retained a familiar feel with Firoozan once more adopting a selfless approach in allowing his younger charges to start the game, the skipper naming himself alongside Gabriel Rogers on the bench.

The absence of their captain for the first half seemed to make little difference, however, as the Blues produced one of their best opening period displays of the season. Against a powerful Ardinians team, the visitors began on the front foot and started to dominate proceedings, led by the indefatigable James Walduck in midfield. Wide men Koutalides and Gray saw plenty of the ball and were soon creating chances for striker George Taylor and young attacking midfielder Cameron Mahal. Both players spurned good opportunities to open the scoring, indeed on another day Mahal could have scored three.

But with twenty minutes played, and the flow of the match having been almost exclusively in Harrow’s favour, the visitors were rocked by the concession of a needless goal completely against the run of play. Keeper Tom Mitchell was at fault, spilling a routine catch from a cross and allowing a simple tap in for a lurking Ardinian.

Fortunately, however, the lead lasted fewer than ten minutes and this time it was the hosts’ turn to get themselves into a mess at the back. A long punt forwards from Mitchell was contested by Taylor and one of the centre halves and the Ardinians keeper rushed off his line to try and mop up the danger. But the two Ardinians ended up colliding with each other and Taylor took full advantage, bundling the ball home from the edge of the area, the goal completely unguarded.

The visitors continued to press forwards in the build-up to half-time, Mahal again coming close to opening his account. Bu the visitors then survived an almighty scare in the final play before the interval: an Ardinians corner saw a header smack into the post and the rebound appeared destined for the back of the net only for Mahal to fling himself in its path and deflect the ball away from its intended target.

Half-time saw Firoozan bring himself on in place of Nikita Levine, Rogers forced to wait until Beecham’s legs began to tire later in the game. The Blues, emboldened by their first-half display, carried on where they had left off, on the front foot and creating chances, both Taylor and Jasper Gray missing very presentable opportunities to earn the visitors their first lead of the match. But as the half wore on, the Ardinians finally began to show the kind of form that has taken them to five straight wins and left them odds-on favourites for a first ever season in the Premier Division. A physically powerful side, the hosts began to dictate play and several half-chances were forced as the visitors’ defence came under pressure for the first time in the match.

With twenty minutes remaining the home side retook the lead although yet again the goal was preventable. A strong run from the Ardinians right winger carried him past Harry Bick towards the goal line. As the angle narrowed, Mitchell anticipated a cross, but instead the forward unleashed a venomous strike that flew in low at the near post, the keeper unable to readjust his bodyweight in time.

Five minutes later and the game was put beyond reach in hugely unfortunate circumstances as a speculative long-range effort from outside the box struck the foot of the post before rebounding into the diving Mitchell and rebounding into the back of the net. The Ardinians had ridden their luck but ensured there would be no way back for the visitors as they dropped into a low block for the closing stages and ensured the Blues failed to create another chance of note.

Despite the final result, this was a hugely encouraging performance from the OHAFC, especially in the first half. Few sides will dominate the Ardinians for lengthy spells as the Blues managed here and, not for the first time this season, only a lack of defensive decisiveness in a couple of critical moments cost the side a positive result. The 1s now look forward to an important run of games against sides either side of them in the table, beginning with the visit of the Old Kimboltonians to the Hill next weekend.