The OHAFC 3rd XI were held to a 2-2 draw in their first competitive fixture of the new season, the Old Canfordians earning a deserved point in a first ever League meeting between the clubs with a spectacular long-range effort thirteen minutes from time. Earlier goals from James Walduck and Freddie Everett had given the hosts a 2-1 advantage, but the visitors were the better side for much of the second half. Both sides had chances to snatch a late winner in the closing moments but ultimately had to settle for a point apiece.

Given the traditionally slow start made by OHAFC sides down the years, it was pleasing to see skipper Joss Awdry able to name a full squad of fourteen for this fixture which was played on the school astroturf due to the lower Phil pitch being unusable owing to the drainage channels damaged by the long, dry summer. The skipper was hopeful his knee troubles were now a thing of the past and he lined up in a back five alongside veteran Si Nicholson, Hugo Morrell-Roberts, Jordan Holmes and Felix Tritton. There was only a solitary debutant on show, right-back Max Cowley, who started on the bench alongside stalwarts Toby Colehan and a seasonably tanned Adam Graham.

The two sides met in the David Woolcott Trophy at the quarter-final stage of the David Woolcott Trophy back in 2023/24 - the Canfordians’ first season in the Arthurian League. Since then, the school based in Dorset have progressed steadily up Division Five, earning promotion last season by finishing third. A sizeable 88 goals from their sixteen League fixtures played suggested there would be plenty of entertainment available for those present, the OHAFC not renowned for a love of tight scorelines at any level.

This proved to be the case, too, with both sides threatening from the off. The visitors, who had already secured a 2-2 draw at home to the Old Wykehamists 2s on their opening weekend of the season, started brightly and forced several corners, all of which were cleared without too much trouble. It took the hosts a while to get going, the Blues’ biggest threat in the opening stages seemingly arriving via the lengthy goal kicks from the boot of Tom Mitchell. The Canfordians centre-backs looked uneasy under the high ball, Everett and Adam Graham sniffing for potential opportunities.

Although it was very much with the run of play when the opening Harrow goal arrived after twenty minutes, it was a somewhat unusual effort: James Walduck collected possession on the left wing, cut inside and whipped in a cross towards the near post. The Canfordian keeper misjudged the bounce completely and somehow dived underneath the ball, much to the surprise of the goalscorer. The Blues had a clear-cut chance to double their lead minutes later when another long goal-kick from Mitchell was again missed by the centre-backs allowing Everett to run on and unselfishly square for Adam Graham. But the striker, fresh off the bench, fluffed his lines, shanking his effort wide with the keeper flailing.

And this miss was placed in a harsh spotlight when the visitors levelled five minutes before the break with comfortably their best move of the half. A couple of neat one-twos down the left allowed the winger to cross, but Hugo Morrell-Roberts was on hand to clear. However the loose ball fell kindly for another Canfrodian and his cut back to the penalty spot was dispatched first-time into the bottom corner.

Skipper Awdry rang the changes frequently, ensuring everyone received a regular breather: fitness at this embryonic stage of the season always a key factor in deciding results. The second half began with chances at both ends, the hosts retaking the lead after five minutes when yet another long goal-kick wasn’t dealt with, this time it was Everett the recipient of a flick on from Adam Graham and he made no mistake, slotting past the keeper to open his account for the season.

But the Canfordians hit straight back, forcing Mitchell into two fine saves before then narrowly failing to find the top corner from a superb long-rang free-kick, the ball cannoning into the crossbar with the Harrow keeper well beaten. Mitchell was then forced to tip a header over the bar from a corner and although they remained ahead on the scoreboard, the OHAFC very much hanging on. Midway through the half the Blues finally began to compete on even terms against a physically powerful Canfordian side and with neither side able to create any chances of note, it appeared as though the home side had done much of the hard work.

But a slight moment of controversy then preceded the equaliser. A challenge midway inside the Harrow half saw players from both sides tumble to the turf. The Canfordians appealed for a free-kick, the hosts momentarily froze, ceding possession back to their opponents. One pass later, the ball was at the feet of the previously stricken Canfordian and he picked himself up, carried the ball forwards and unleashed a screamer from thirty yards out that flew just over Mitchell’s outstretched hand, onto the crossbar and back into net via the keeper’s arm. It was desperately unfortunate, although there was no denying the quality of the strike, nor the suspicion that Mitchell seemed to be caught slightly by surprise, only attempting the save at last moment.

The game was up for grabs now and it was the OHAFC who finished the stronger. Adam Graham collected another long ball over the top down the inside right channel but could only watch in despair as his flick past the onrushing keeper rolled agonisingly wide of the near post. Several corners and free-kicks were earned but none led to clearcut chances. The final act of the match saw the visitors flash a cross along the six yard box but, much to Harrovian relief, the ball sailed through untouched to confirm a second consecutive 2-2 draw for the Canfordians and an encouraging start to the season for the OHAFC 3s.