After an underwhelming start to their league campaign, Logica were looking for some welcome and diversionary relief courtesy of a money-spinning Cup run. They had been drawn against the newly formed and strangely monikered Leeds Old Boys, a team who have begun their Sportsmans life in the Third Division. They proved to be neither old, nor with any obvious affiliation with that particular Yorkshire city - their players collectively referring to themselves constantly as "Balham". Indeed, the only part of their title that proved accurate was the part alluded to by the pack of whelping pups that lolloped onto the pitch some half an hour after the official kick-off time.

Although the had lost both the in-form and the uniformed , and was once again without ace glove-man (ironically in Leeds for the weekend), he did have a reasonably strong squad at his disposal. was back from his hols to provide quality cover between the sticks, was likewise back from the beach to stake his claim on a regular slot, and midfield terrier had nipped back from Sweden in the hope of being selected.

Keen to act quickly to reverse a poor start to the season, the had decided to follow up on the hints dropped in his Matchday Programme Notes and give a gallop up front in the hope that the youngster's pace would add a little more threat and bite to a thus far toothless attack. The resulting line-up certainly boasted a certain balance, with both the centre-back and centre-half pairings roughly boasting a cumulative seventy years experience. is 31.

Logica were keen to exploit their lower league opponents tardy showing. As half the Leeds squad hastily changed into their kit behind one goal whilst the captains tossed up, the home players resolved to take full advantage of their meticulous and extended preparation. Regular readers of this web-site will thus not be surprised to learn that Logica found themselves 1-0 down within two minutes of the kick-off. An attack down the right was far too easy, and the resultant low cross was stabbed home from close-range as the rossoneri did a passable impression of a disorganised rabble struggling to get their bearings [0-1].

In between some incessant high-pitched whining, the Old Boys quickly showed themselves to be a pacey and skilful side, and certainly not lacking in confidence. In contrast Logica looked like a team who did not believe in themselves, and much lacking in match fitness and sharpness. Too often the ball was lost through lack of options, panicked passing or plain sluggishness. But at least 's tactical masterstroke was paying dividends, as posed a constant menace with his strong running and aerial ability.

Thus whilst it was somewhat against the run of play that Logica nicked an equaliser, it was no surprise that the scorer was the novelty frontman. was the instigator, striding forward purposefully before slipping a perfect pass into the path of 's shrewd run. The new boy made the whole thing look ridiculously easy, as he smoothly took the ball in his stride and stroked it perfectly just inside the near post from fifteen yards [1-1]. He was very soon nearly repeating the lesson. Latching onto another through-ball burst clear of a gaggle of defenders only to see his poked shot blocked by a brave dive from the Leeds keeper.

But after this bright blip, the home team returned to some ineffectual lethargy. Leeds picked up the initiative again and their quick passing and deft touches caused a lumbering Logica quite a few problems. The Division Two players were reacting to everything rather than anticipating, and were second to practical every ball, occasionally with very costly punishments (GBP 7). By the time was booked late in the half for being a fraction too late with a crunching scythe, goalkeeper had already been relieved to only see yellow after felling a Leeds striker who had nicked the ball past him to open up what would have been a clean run on goal. The versatile Sheffielder thus had to be far more circumspect minutes before the interval when a flawed offside trap presented him with a similar conundrum. This time the attacker was able to round the tentative , and a low ball across goal was clinically converted at the back stick [1-2].

Logica could only get better in the second half, but the introduction of on the right flank helped them pose a far more constant and telling threat for the rest of the match. The young boys of Leeds, Balham or wherever, still swaggered, but rarely with any end product, and for the most part had little further to do. Logica were still not really firing on all cylinders, but at least some more workmanlike application coupled with some sharper interplay posed the more regular threat. And indeed it was the home side who created the majority of second half chances without strangely ever looking like they believed they could turn the game around.

The back four of , , and looked far more resolute now, whilst their ex-defensive colleague continued to cause problems up the other end of the pitch. was unlucky when his quick reactions flicked the ball past the last defender, only to see it run just too far and into the hands of a relieved keeper, and his combinations with down the right looked a likely source of danger.

In this cautious vein, Logica were delicately rebuilding their fragile confidence, when it was shattered once more by a third Leeds goal. A home move broke down, and the Old Boys were quickly on the counter-attack. A swift pass dissected the red line, and as the Logica rearguard stood appealing for offside, the Leeds striker simply advanced and lofted the ball precisely over a stranded [1-3].

The defenders were adamant that the scorer was a good ten yards offside, but the linesman categorically disagreed. The official in question was home substitute , and Logica must remain the only Sunday morning side in Britain to supply honest linesmen. This dubious honour as the last bastion of Corinthian values in the amateur game was brought sharply into focus just minutes later, when the Leeds substitute running the opposite line brazenly flagged two Logica attackers offside with a defender quite clearly back-pedalling nervously between them and the goal.

Somewhat irked, the Division Two side returned to the job of pulling back the now increased arrears. When one of numerous free kicks conceded by the Old Boys was whipped in from the left by , centre half did well to leap and head back across goal. nipped between two defenders but glanced his header the wrong side of the post. Another free kick saw Logica go even closer. From twenty yards fired a clever low shot around the wall. With the keeper a statuesque onlooker, the ball ricocheted away off the post, and the home players seemed reinforced in their belief that this would not be their day.

As is often perceptively observed, you make your own luck in this game, and even in the last ten minutes, a Logica side still short on conviction carved out two more than presentable chances that should perhaps have ushered in extra time. First a quick break manoeuvred the ball through the Leeds back-line and the speedy latched on to the ball before elegantly rounding the keeper. But with the goal at his mercy, the youngster sliced into the side-netting from six yards.

Minutes later a quick break saw the ball fed to , who turned and played into the clear. The Teesider took the ball on into the box and set himself, before firing too high. As himself self-depreciatingly observed after the match, "I was just concentrating on getting a shot on target." Even then there was still time for to turn once more and loop an inviting ball over the two Leeds centre-backs, but as stole in at the far post, an uncertain first touch was enough to enable the danger to be snuffed out.

And thus it was that was liberated from the complexities of a two-pronged assault on silverware, and left to concentrate on the league. So often in recent years playing the role of David drawn against Goliath, this time it was Logica that was slain by lower division opposition as they lost their third consecutive match of the season. Once again they should take solace from some good passages of play, and enough chances in retrospect to have got something from the game.

Against such positives, it must be said that they once again lost to, at best, moderate opponents with a performance that lacked the all-round sharpness required at this level. There was also a lack of belief at times, and every player needs to act quickly to stop the rot. Like winning, recreational drugs and sackcloth, losing can all too quickly become a habit it is difficult to shake.