Both the OHAFC 2nd and 3rd XIs earned their first points of the season on Saturday, but in very different circumstances.

On the main Phil pitch, the 2s had to battle throughout to forge a 1-1 with Division Three leaders the Old Berkhamstedians 2s. A tight first half saw chances few and far between. The second half, in contrast, proved far more open and the Blues took the lead just before the hour mark when Andy Hutchinson collected Henry Bamford’s lofted pass and finished into the bottom corner.

But the visitors hit back and were rewarded for a spell of pressure when they levelled ten minutes from time, the right-back running through to lob keeper Rory Craig from the edge of the box. Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages, but the point at least lifts the Blues off the foot of the table.

Over on the adjoining Phil pitch, the OHAFC 3s enjoyed a far simpler task against a depleted Old Stoics side, who played the entire game with just nine men. The hosts, unsurprisingly, ran out comfortable winners, taking the lead through Roger Litton ten minutes before half-time, Harry Scott adding a second just before the break. The second half saw the home side run away with the game: Scott scored a second, skipper James Gibbens added another and the two Wilson brothers, Ollie and Henry also found the back of the net. The Blues missed the chance to score a seventh when a late penalty was saved by the Stoics keeper.

Victory lifts the 3s into fourth in Division Five ahead of the visit of second-placed Bradfield 2s next weekend.

The team sheet and match report from the 2s game is now available, with the 3s report due in shortly.