Despite a much improved performance, the OHAFC 3rd XI conceded four goals for the second consecutive weekend and remain stranded at the foot of Division Four of the Arthurian League, a 4-2 defeat to leaders the Old Canfordians ensuring the Blues’ wait for a first League win of the campaign goes on.

These two sides met on the Hill on the opening weekend of the season and played out a fiercely-contested 2-2 draw, a stunning long-range effort fifteen minutes from time earning the visitors a deserved share of the spoils. Since then, however, the two teams’ trajectories have diverged, with the Canfordians unbeaten and top, the OHAFC winless and bottom.

But this proved a far more competitive showing from the men in blue after last week’s meek second-half capitulation away to the Old Johnians 2s. The visitors even took an early lead, Dan Graham marking his first appearance of the season with the opening goal after ten minutes, a well-struck volley from just outside the box taking a slight deflection off a defender and whizzing past the stranded keeper.

The hosts responded strongly however and were helped in their endeavours by some rather careless Harrovian defending. Si Nicholson conceded an unnecessary free-kick on the edge of the box and the resulting shot took another deflection, wrong-footing Hassan Hammad in the Harrow goal. But there was nothing fortunate about Canfordians’ second after half an hour, a superb flying header that glanced the ball deftly inside the far post. And when Will Monroe, another making his first appearance of the season, was caught in possession facing his own goal, the Canfordian striker made no mistake, the hosts doubling their advantage five minutes before half-time.

The second half proved a far more even affair than last weekend’s nightmare down in Hampton. The Blues competed well against a powerful Canfordians side and managed to retain some respectability despite the hosts scoring a fourth after an hour. Freddie Everett’s third goal of the season, a fine strike from a narrow angle with twelves minutes remaining, reduced the arrears to two once more and the same player nearly gave the hosts a nervy closing five minutes to contend with when he then hit the post. But the Canfordians held out without further alarm to record a third win in six and ensure they remain top of the table, a point ahead of the Old Amplefordians.

Despite the defeat, there were some promising individual performances on the day, notable Harry Maxwell in midfield and Adam Graham up front, and it was pleasing to see the return to action of both full-backs: Will Monroe, who has missed large chunks of the past few seasons with a knee injury, and Michael Brooks. The 3s will need all the help they can get in their remaining ten League fixtures if they are to extricate themselves from their current perilous predicament.