An OHAFC 1st XI containing a few familiar faces produced their best performance of the season to earn a first victory of the season, defeating the pointless Old Salopians 3-1 on the astroturf in Chiswick on a blustery Saturday morning. James Breeden scored his first goal for the club since the 2022/23 season and superb second half efforts from Jasper Gray and James Walduck ensured the Blues would ease past the struggling Salopians to secure a much-needed win that lifts the side into fifth in Division One.

The availability of some stars of yesteryear helped skipper Dan Firoozan out of a tricky spot, with poor availability from the regulars countered by the presence of both Breeden brothers, Alex and James, both Bick brothers, Charlie and Harry, and centre-back Kyle Barrett. That particular quintet brought with them over 450 games’ worth of experience and nearly 200 goals. It was little surprise, therefore, when it took the younger Breeden just five minutes to open the scoring: a poor pass from the Salops left-back was intercepted by the striker outside the box, a drop of the shoulder sent another defender the wrong way and a characteristically cool finish saw the ball flash across the keeper into the far bottom corner.

The first half was mostly plain sailing for the men in blue, with some excellent football creating several half-chances. The flying young wingers, Jasper Gray on the right and Cam Mahal on the left, both threatened and the central midfield trio of Alex Breeden, James Walduck and Charlie Bick more than had the measure of their opponets. It was galling, therefore, that with just over half an hour played, the hosts equalised firmly against the run of play. A long ball over the top of the Harrow back four saw Mitchell fly off his line to intercept. The clearance was miscued, however, falling straight to a Salopian, who chipped the ball back over the keeper’s head and into the empty net, despite a desperate flailing dive on the goal line.

The Blues were forced into a change at the break with Alex Breeden struggling with a tight groin. This allowed the skipper to bring himself off the bench having previously taken a selfless decision to allow the youngsters and returning stars to start the match. The visitors got off to an ideal start, retaking the lead just two minutes into the second half when Kyle Barrett played in Jasper Gray down the inside right channel and he opened his body up to plant the ball past the outstretched hand of the keeper with his left foot.

Five minutes later it could so easily have been 2-2 when a loose ball ricocheted perfectly into the path of a Salopian on the edge of the penalty area. But with just Mitchell to beat the player rather snatched at his shot and it ran through tamely into the keeper’s arms. Back up the other end and Gray nearly grabbed his second courtesy of some persistent play, flicking on Kyle Barrett’s long ball forwards but failing to beat the keeper with two efforts, the first well saved, the second drifting wide of the far post.

Play was now switching from end to end at pace, both sides looking more than capable of adding to the scoreline. The OHAFC looked especially dangerous down the right, with James Breeden naturally drifting into that space, Gray and right-back John Koutalides seeing plenty of the ball. Gray had a couple of efforts on goal, neither troubling the keeper unduly, but the hosts than broke at pace up the other end and forced Mitchell into an excellent stop, tipping a first-time effort over the bar after a low cross from the left.

As the game entered the final stages, the next goal would be crucial and it took a special effort from James Walduck to provide it. A handball by a Salopian twenty-five yards out from goal just to the left of centre allowed the midfielder, who enjoyed a superb game, to curl a perfect shot over the wall and just inside the near post. The extended celebrations reflective of both the quality of the strike and its importance. The visitors held onto their lead comfortably enough for the final ten minutes, Salopians mustering one last shot with the final attack of the game but the ball flew harmlessly wide, the final whistle signalling a vital first win of the season for the men in blue.

Although the return of some old faces was more than welcome (and would be even more welcome on a regular basis) it was even more pleasing to see the contributions of the younger players. Koutalides, Gray, Walduck and Mahal are the future of the side and showed plenty of promise here, although the test of facing the unbeaten League leaders on the Hill next weekend will prove far tougher – not only are the Old Foresters top of Division One, they are also the reigning Arthur Dunn Cup holders.