It was a classic cup-tie in the old tradition. Little Logica from Sportsmans League Division Two were drawn to play away to mighty Worlds End, two divisions above them, in the first round proper of the Ron Le Beau Challenge Trophy. The wind swirled around the imposing Richardson Evans Don-o-Drome, and the rain fell in torrents. It had been raining at daybreak and didn't relent for a single moment all morning, such that by the end of the game the pitch was close to resembling a small lake.

Adapting superbly to the quagmiric conditions, Logica sailed past Worlds End and into what - until a few seasons ago - was uncharted territory, namely the second round of the cup. In recent years, however, the lad Goliath is fast becoming as sick as a parrot at being paired with our Stade d'Ilea giant-killers courtesy of David Davies' electronic tombola. In 1999 we earned our first Davidian headlines after a famous and dramatic 4-3 win over Queen Vic, the Tooting side going on to win the Division One title without losing a game. And last time out, the giant-killing tag was starting to stick after a thoroughly deserved 4-2 drubbing of Red Star who went on to achieve mid-table mediocrity two divisions above us. As a result, the Logica players certainly went into this morning's match without any kind of inferiority complex.

Whilst Alex Ferguson struggles to master the pack-shuffling strategies required of any modern manager hoping to balance a saturated league and cup fixture list, Logica's Supremo seems to have perfected this most tricky of juggling acts. After the previous week's less-than-convincing win over Townmead, out went Fleming, Dick, Fazel, Clarke and Reevaldo, whilst Man of the Match Abbott was ruthlessly relegated to the bench. In came Pendleton between the sticks, Marsh and Hatton Minor at the back, with the midfield bolstered by the return of Loriot, Wood, Gill and Brown.

Indeed, the Logica Supremo wisely preferred to impersonate head Red Gerard Houllier rather than the ruddy-faced Scot currently directing the comedy of errors at the so-called Theatre of Dreams. Thus it was that Groom lay comatose in his bed whilst puppet Supremo Mark Abbott barked out the orders Phil Thompson-style as he prowled the technical area in his track suit.

Groom may have been unable to get out of bed, but his charges were clearly up with the lark. Worlds End turned up late and in a state of some disarray. Meanwhile Taylor (who we must think of as Sammy Lee if we want to stretch the LFC analogy to its natural conclusion) had drilled the Logica players through their well-practiced pre-match exercise routine, and they were champing at the bit come kick-off time.

The result was complete ascendancy early doors over their higher ranked opponents. Gill set the tone with a dangerous run down the right in the first minute, and it was not long before chances were coming the minnows' way. Brown was unfortunate not to get a shot in after a darting run into the box, and Hoyzone forced a breath-taking save from the Worlds End keeper who somehow managed to tip the Logica striker's acute volley onto the bar, from where it rebounded to safety.

Such was the Logica pressure that a goal was almost inevitable, and it was Tim Wood who supplied it. A threatening attack was only half cleared by the End rearguard, and the Logica midfielder collected the ball ten yards outside the box. Composing himself, Wood unleashed a pile-driver which took a deflection on its way into the net [1-0]. The goalscorer was able to confirm at the post-match press conference that the shot was going in anyway, much to the disappointment of the Dubious Goals Committee mandarins.

Logica reinforced their early dominance via a quick second goal. A free kick midway into the Worlds End half was floated dangerously into the box by Sandric Loriot. The keeper tentatively came to catch, but spilled the rain-greased ball. It was Nigel Hoyland who was quickest to react, volleying the loose ball past the hapless stopper from six yards in Fowleresque fashion to claim his third goal of the season [2-0]. Hoyzone was once more the sharpest tool in the box minutes later, when he took a Taylor through-ball in his stride and cut in front of the last defender, only to see his powerful shot brilliantly blocked again by the home keeper.

The underdogs were controlling the match in a manner rarely seen by a Logica side. Calm in possession, they were happy to pass the ball to feet at the back and build attacks with patience. Loriot was superb in midfield, dribbling around opponents at will, always picking the right pass at the right time, the Frenchman was regularly the man to relieve any pressure via some assured possession. So good was he, in fact, that Worlds End resorted to foul means rather than fair in their attempts to stop him. Twice he was bodychecked in the most blatant fashion, both times requiring treatment, and both times the offence being completely ignored by the referee.

Loriot was more than ably assisted by Wood in the centre of the park, the latter supplying some sturdy tackling and similarly thoughtful prompting of the attack. Gill provided a regular outlet down the right, and his pacey runs were also combined with some eminently sensible ball distribution. With Brown sacrificing his usual attacking flair for some disciplined midfield donkey-work on the left, getting in some effective tackles and maintaining the team's solid shape, Logica's midfield turned in an extremely effective morning's work. And what with Taylor and Hoyzone linking up with some promise in attack, Logica always posed a real threat of more goals.

As the half wore on, Worlds End started to battle back. On a treacherously slippery surface, attackers were always going to find chances coming their way, although Logica's back four defended superbly throughout. On the occasions that the home strikers did glimpse a chance, goalkeeper Lee Pendleton (making his first appearance of the season) was equal to anything that could be thrown at him. As half time approached, he dived full-length to deflect what seemed a certain goal wide of the far post, and minutes later he was arching backwards with remarkable agility to tip another goalbound effort over the bar.

The home side had clearly had a few teacups thrown at them during the interval, and re-emerged in determined mood as the rain continued to fall in droves. Logica found themselves under the cosh for the first ten minutes of the half. Now the defenders earned their corn, with Manlio Trovato continuing his authoritative form of recent weeks. Phil Hatton was equally impressive at his side. Playing his first game for many months, the no-nonsense centre half produced a display that exemplified the defenders art. Strong in the air, tough-tackling on the ground, the Worlds End number fifteen who was about seven feet tall hardly had a chance all game. Logica's own Lurch was equally impressive, adapting quickly to the unaccustomed role of right-back, and with captain Mainwaring once again leading both by example and by inspiration, Logica's back four defended as a unit. Many times in the second half the home side looked to be in a dangerous position only to find that a collective defensive blanket was suddenly wrapped around them, forcing them to turn back and start again.

More impressively still, Logica were able to move up a gear and fight back. Loriot was more often than not the architect, but was ably assisted by all around him. He struck the first note of retaliation as he weaved along the bye-line before firing a low shot that the Worlds End keeper turned into the side-netting. After his blunder for the second Logica goal, the home number one was now more than making amends, and he pulled of a breath-taking double save midway through the second half to deny first Gill and then Hoyzone at point-blank range.

Loriot was on the case again shortly afterwards, as he embarked on a dazzling run through the puddles that left three defenders in his wake. As he cut into the penalty box, striker Craig Taylor took over, and his low shot was once again superbly saved by the keeper. The Leeds man was in on goal again after being released on half way, his power and pace taking him into the penalty area. Perhaps feeling a tad guilty at stealing the previous chance off Loriot's toe, Taylor generously plumped for an attempted assist this time around, but his low ball across the six-yard box was just too far in front of substitute Sutton sliding in at the far post.

Worlds End mounted one last assault in an attempt to avert a major cup upset. Pendleton, whose handling had been perfect throughout in such difficult conditions, once more pulled off a brilliant save as he tipped a mis-hit cross over the bar at full stretch. Finally, however, Logica did succumb. Wood's pass was blocked, and the home midfielder broke to send a pin-point pass of his own inside the last defender. The striker was onto it in a flash, and unleashed a blistering low shot just inside the near post. Even then, Pendleton got a hand to the ball, but could not quite keep it out [2-1].

The home side threw everything at Logica in the last ten minutes, but the yellow line held firm. There was one final chance, but the big Worlds End centre forward struck his volley high and wide from eight yards. As the final whistle pierced through the incessant drizzle, the Logica players threw their arms up in celebration. This had been a superb all round performance, dangerous going forward, gritty and determined in defence - by far the best of the season. The team are in danger of becoming labelled as giant-killing first round Cup specialists, but at least the news of another famous cup victory might have gone some way to easing the discomfort felt by the Supremo as he struggled to recover in his sick-bed.