Following a hard-fought point at home to the Old Canfordians in their opening fixture of the season last weekend, the OHAFC 3rd XI were promptly brought back down to earth with a bump, producing an insipid display in a 4-1 defeat at home to the Old Shirburnians on the Harrow astroturf.

Despite again being able to name a strong squad of fourteen, the Blues got off to the worst possible start, conceding just two minutes into the game. A long ball over the top of the high defensive line saw a forward run through and nod the ball past advancing Harrow keeper Hassan Hammad. Although the effort rebounded off the post, another Shirburnian raced on to finish into an empty net. Within ten minutes, the lead had been doubled. Again, a long ball over the top caught out the Harrow back four, this time Hammad clipping the striker as he attempted to carry the ball past him. It was debatable how much contact there was, but referee Sachin Patel pointed to the spot and the Shirburnian made no mistake, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb.

Things got worse before they got better: ten minutes later one of the Shirburnian substitutes fell awkwardly on top of Joss Awdry’s troublesome knee, forcing the skipper to limp off. Although a subsequent scan suggested there was no serious damage, the 3s captain is now a serious doubt for the next few weeks.

Ten minutes before the break a third Shirburnian goal completed a miserable half for the men in blue. Numerous set-pieces had caused problems for the hosts, the tall, strong Shirburnians using their physical advantage to good effect. Another corner was delivered into the heart of the six yard box and bundled in past a phalanx of bodies. The half-time team-talk from the stricken skipper took on a far more impassioned tone than usual, the lethargy of his side in the opening forty-five minutes most unusual.

But any faint hopes of a spectacular comeback were categorically expunged early in the second half half when the visitors broke upfield from a Harrow throw to score their fourth. A late penalty was converted by Adam Graham to ensure the hosts had the final word, but it was far too little, far too late.