All three OHAFC sides now have a clear idea of what awaits them in the next rounds of their respective Cup competitions following the completion of the first round of the Arthur Dunn Cup and the drawing of the early rounds in both the Junior League Cup and the David Woolcott Trophy.

The 1st XI will travel to Forest School to face the Old Foresters in round two of the Dunn Cup on December 19th. Foresters, champions of Division One last season, eased past the Old Radleians last weekend, winning 6-2 at the College. The north London club have made a poor start to life back in the Premier Division, having lost all six of their League fixtures to date. But they have a proud record in the Dunn, winning the competition in both 2021 and 2025. Interestingly, the two clubs have not met in the Dunn for almost fourteen years, goals from David Lederman and Nick Defty earning the OHAFC a 2-1 victory in the quarter-finals back in January 2013. The Blues went on to lose 4-0 to the Old Wykehamists in the semi-finals a month later. Foresters won both League fixtures against the Blues last season, 3-0 on the Hill and 2-1 at Old Parkonians in the penultimate fixture of the season and will, understandably, go into December’s tie as favourites to progress.

There is not quite as much certainty for the OHAFC 2nd XI as they bid to overcome a horrendous recent record in the Junior League Cup. In the eight seasons up to and including 2021/22, the 2s reached three semi-finals and four quarter-finals, narrowly missing out on a place in the final in 2020 when only a goal deep into extra-time consigned the side to a 1-0 defeat to the Old Columbans. But since then, the 2s’ record in the competition has nosedived, with only a single victory recorded in the last four seasons – a 5-3 win away to Old Brentwoods 4s in February 2023. Last year’s 3-2 loss to Division Five strugglers the Old Cranleighans will hopefully prove the nadir as the Blues have been given what appears, on paper at least, a favourable start to this season’s competition.

The Blues will host in both rounds two and three, assuming they can record an initial victory. First up, they will entertain either the Old Worthians, who currently sit top of Division Four, or the Old Johnians 2s, who folded from the League last season but will enter as a Cup-only team this time around. Win that game and the 2s will then host one of the Old Berkhamestedians 2s (top of Division 3), the Old Felstedians (another Cup-only side) or the Old Chigwellians 2s (again, a Cup-only side). The Blues have already earned a draw with the Berkhamstedians in the League this season and must expect to face both the Hertfordshire side and the Old Worthians in their first two fixtures: two potentially intriguing ties in prospect.

Finally, the OHAFC 3s have had their first two potential fixtures in the David Woolcott Trophy confirmed. The 3s will host the Old Johnians 2s on November 21st in round one, potentially a valuable scouting mission should the Johnians end up defeating the Worthians in the Junior League Cup and go on to face the Harrow 2s. That should prove a winnable tie for the 3s, but in round two a very tricky tie awaits, with a trip to face the Old Cranleighans, who currently sit second in Division Four. Should they earn the chance with victory over the Johnians in round one, the 3s will be looking to avenge the 2s shocking defeat to the Cranleighans in the Junior League Cup last season.