On this weekend...

6 Nov 2015

Today we take a look back at the last six years' worth of games for the three OHAFC teams on this weekend...

Six Seasons Ago: November 7th 2009

OHAFC 1st XI 4 Old Wykehamists 1: Arthur Dunn Cup Rd 1: A comfortable 4-1 over Winchester saw the OHAFC 1st XI progress into the second round of the Arthur Dunn Cup.

In perfect autumnal sunshine and on a fine John Lyon pitch, Harrow had to weather a confident start from the visitors before taking control of the tie in the second half.

Two goals from Harry Hoffen and one apiece from Ed Martins and Freddie Brunt were enough to dispel any fears the side would be overly-complacent against their lower division opponents.

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Five Seasons Ago: November 6th 2010

OHAFC 1st XI 3 Old KCS Wimbeldon 2: A nervy win for the 1st XI that should have been far more comfortable. Early goals from Lederman and Best established a two-goal lead but a powerful Wimbledon side responded after the break and drew level at 2-2.

Thankfully, Ed Martins popped up with a fine late goal to earn the home side the win.

Old Westminster 2's 4 OHAFC 2nd XI 3: An away game for the Harrow second string that was actually played at Harrow due to waterlogged Westminster pitches.

And any spectators at the Phil Ground would have got their money's worth with seven goals scored, although the result was beyond doubt well before time.

Harry Gibson opened the scoring for the Blues but it only served to spur the opposition into life and for the rest of the game Westminster were well on top, scoring four times to put the result beyond doubt.

Two goals from Bemini Soyinka in the last five minutes gave the scoreline a far more even look than the game deserved.

Four Seasons Ago: November 5th 2011

OHAFC 2nd XI 0 Old Cholmelians 5: Despite fielding a vastly experienced back four of Chopra, Maydon, Nelson and Waugh, the OHAFC 2nd XI were completely overrun by a rampant Cholms team, fielding several players who had also featured for their first team.

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Three Seasons Ago: November 10th 2012

OHAFC 2nd XI 6 Old Brentwood 2's 1: Schoolboy Ogyen Verhagen, playing in only his second game for the club, scored four goals of impressive quality as the OHAFC 2nd XI ran riot against their Brentwood counterparts, securing a 6-1 win and putting their League campaign back on track in the process.

Harry Turner opened the scoring inside ten minutes but thereafter it was a one-man show, with 18 year-old Verhagen tearing the visitors apart with his pace and dribbling skills.

Ogyen scored twice in the first half and completed his hat-trick from the spot shortly after the break following a Brentwood handball. An own goal saw Harrow's lead extended to four and after Brentwood had scored a late consolation it was fitting that Verhagen had the final word, back-heeling in a Nick Warner cross to score his fourth and the team's sixth a couple of minutes from time.

OHAFC 3rd XI 1 Old Epsomians 7: Another heavy defeat for the newly-formed 3rd XI with Epsom dishing out some heavy punishment on the Hill.

Future 2nd XI striker Max Curry scored Harrow's only goal after twenty minutes but it was to prove the lone bright spot in an otherwise miserable afternoon for Theo Gordon's men.

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Two Seasons Ago: November 9th 2013

OHAFC 1st XI 6 Old Brentwoods 1: A strange first-half on the Hill saw the 1st XI score three times from three attacks to leave visitors Brentwood in shock after half an hour: Harry Hoffen was in devastating form, scoring twice in quick succession, the first from an Alex Gilbert cross, the second from a Johan Harder flick on.

A comical own goal gifted the Blues a third and the game looked over even though, in general play at least, Brentwood had acquitted themselves well.

The second half was less enjoyable as the game was punctuated with a number of free-kicks and stoppages for injuries, the visitors eventually being forced to play with nine men after using their sole substitute.

Harrow scored three further goals, Coleridge-Cole heading in a Hugo Trower free-kick to ensure there would be no hopes of a comeback before Hoffen completed his hat-trick with a quarter of an hour remaining. Alex Gilbert completed the rout inside the final five minutes.

OHAFC 3rd XI 3 Old Forest 3's 4: Another 3rd XI game filled with goals and none more spectacular than the opener from Club debutant Ed Page after fifteen minutes, firing home from long-range to start his OHAFC career in style.

Forest equalised but a strong run from Will Pridham saw him fire in a cross which was unintentionally converted by a Forest defender to give the hosts the lead at the break. Forest scored twice early in the second half to turn the game around but promising young striker Alex Smith scored with a delightful chip to earn Harrow parity entering the closing stages.

Sadly it was Forest who nicked the points with one final attack, a cruel outcome for Azhar Khan's men following their excellent efforts.

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Last Season: November 8th 2014

OHAFC 1st XI 0 Old Etonians 0: That rarest of Arthurian League commodities – a goalless draw – was played out in poor conditions between the Old Enemies on the Hill in poor conditions. The drab weather matched the quality of football on display with neither side threatening to rise above mediocrity. Eton shaded it but could find no way past a dominant Fred Milln in the Harrow goal and at the final whistle both sides were just pleased not to have lost.

Old Berkhamstedians 3 OHAFC 2nd XI 1: The trip to Hertfordshire to face League leaders Berkhamsted proved a step too far for the hitherto unbeaten Harrow 2’s, their hosts showing the form that had taken them clear at the top of Division Three.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, Harrow remained upbeat knowing they had already faced the worst of the conditions, a strong wind blowing down the pitch. And their optimism proved well-founded when Harry Dalzell utilised the conditions, somewhat fortuitously, to score direct from a corner, the ball looping over everyone inside the six yard box.

Sadly, despite having chances to take the lead, it was the hosts who snatched the win with two goals inside the final five minutes to crush Harrow dreams of a famous comeback win.

OHAFC 3rd XI 3 Old Cholms 4’s 4: Despite a superb hat-trick from Alex Smith, the Harrow 3’s succumbed to the long-ball tactic of their opponents in dramatic fashion on the Hill. At 3-1 down the hosts looked out of it, but Smith struck twice, the second from the spot with just two minutes remaining to seemingly earn the Blues a point.

Depressingly, a Cholms corner in the final minute was only half-cleared and the rebound was smashed home to provoke wild Cholms celebrations.

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On This Weekend…In the wider footballing world:

November 6th 1986 saw a seminal moment in British and world football, although at the time no-one was to know. It was on this date that Alex Ferguson was appointed manager of Manchester United. Having enjoyed domestic and European success north of the border with Aberdeen, Ferguson was named United boss in succession to Ron Atkinson.

After a tough first few seasons, Ferguson led the Red Devils to the FA Cup in 1990 and, more importantly, a first League title for 26 years in 1993 – coincidentally the first season of the new FA Premier League. With that monkey lifted from their backs, United never looked back and became the dominant force in British football for the next two decades.

The highlight of Ferguson’s reign – which ended when he retired at the end of the 2012/13 season – was undoubtedly the 1999/2000 season when United won the League and Cup double before defeating Bayern Munich 2-1 in one of the most remarkable European Cup finals ever witnessed.

Ferguson was knighted in honour of the achievement, becoming the eighth player or manager to receive such an award.

Since his departure the team have struggled, first under David Moyes and latterly under Louis van Gaal, who, whilst managing to earn decent enough results, has transformed United from one of the most watchable sides in Europe to one of the most boring in the Premier League.

Also on this weekend: Former Everton great Howard Kendall, who sadly passed away a fortnight ago, returned to the Toffees for his second spell as manager following a stint at Manchester City (Nov 7th 1990); Ian Rush scored his 200th League goal in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Middlesbrough (Nov 7th 1992); Chelsea made one of the most stunning signings of the Premier League era when they secured the services of Italian pocket wizard Gianfranco Zola from Parma for £4.5 million (Nov 8th 1996)