Report by with some succinct supplementary observations from

After a desperate week scraping around at the bottom of Lag barrels, the still found himself with just eight charges plus himself come Sunday morning, as a number of optimistic 'possibles' failed to materialise. Unusuallly for a Logica Supremo, is not especially well practised in the art of 9 or 10-man formations, but after careful consideration, this master strategist opted to start with two banks of four in front of in goal.

The back four at least had a plausible look about it, with and as full backs flanking a centre half pairing of and . The midfield had a distinctly offensive air about it, with and in the centre, and and on the right and left respectively. Despite the numerical deficit, Logica were confident that they could give a good account of themselves, with the slick top surface of Richardson Evans' manicured hectares sure to provide an environment conducive to good passing. And perhaps the driving rain and slope could prove the great leveller.

Indeed the first ten minutes play seemed to suggest that an historic result was achievable. Logica set about their numerically advantaged opponents with gusto, competing well in the middle of the park with the tenacious in particular relishing the battle. An early corner was forced, but the pattern of the game was set as Logica's stretched team was unable to retreat fast enough to stop an accurate ball over the top finding its target. The Spectra striker was far too quick for ["He was flipping fast!" qualifies one of our correspondents in case anyone should think the experienced Wolves man in any way off the pace - Ed] and lashed it home from just inside the box [0-1].

Spectraprint went further ahead when another break was seemingly ended by clattering into the hosts' striker. Amazingly the referee failed to give what was a blatant penalty, but the loose ball ran free to another Spectraprint player who finished easily [0-2].

Logica were not disheartened by this setback, and attacked again with purpose as a long ball from the back allowed and to give chase. The latter was first on the scene to toe poke the ball past a defender, before launching an accurate chip towards the unguarded net from all of 25 yards. 's troops were already starting to celebrate reducing the deficit when a Spectraprint defender appeared from nowhere, and his desperately stretching boot turned 's effort inches wide of the post, thus preserving the hosts 2-0 advantage. The visitors were encouraged by this near-breakthrough, but with familiar irony the hosts almost immediately increased their lead. It was an early Christmas present for a Spectraprint striker courtesy of a sliced sliced clearance which was bread and butter for the surprised Spectraprint forward who will never score an easier goal [0-3].

Logica continued to go forward whenever possible and were duly caught again just before half time. Another long ball gave their striker a clear run at in goal and the finish was somewhat fortunately bundled through the keeper's legs and into the net [0-4]. Four down at half time, the nine men had given everything and were unfortunate to be so far behind.

The visitors again started the second half in bright fashion, immediately forcing their hosts onto the back foot in the hope that an early goal could change the pattern of the game. Sure enough the chance arrived thanks to a positive run from full back and a cross that was handled by a Spectraprint defender that resulted in an early penalty. confidently grabbed the ball and spotted it up. However, the striker - normally so reliable from 12 yards - had his weak kick easily saved by the Spectraprint keeper who had read the direction of the strike. Disappointed at this uncharacteristic failure from the spot, could only console himself with the fact that the miss was unlikely to prove crucial to the overall scoreline.

The match continued with a pattern of bright Logica passing spells, often involving , and on the left. However the lack of numbers meant that most attacks petered out with little threat. And it was then, with men committed forward, that Logica were repeatedly hit on the break with devastating effect as the home side rattled in another couple of goals [0-6].

A tiring Logica side continued to create chances though. Good interplay between the afore-mentioned attacking trio sent racing towards goal, but the striker fired narrowly wide under pressure from a defender. Better was to follow with setting up for a goalbound effort that struck the keeper and looped towards the gaping net before being poked off the line by another desperately stretching defender in a virtual mirror image of 's first half effort.

The game was up by now and Spectraprint's confident players were revelling in the unusually large amount of space they were getting, and another two goals followed. First a weak shot from 20 yards somehow sailed over 's head into the net [0-7], before a goal-mouth scramble saw the ball forced over the line following a corner [0-8].

Despite a couple of corners and sporadic threats, Logica couldn't quite manage a consolation goal that would have been well deserved. Perhaps our constant efforts to get on the scoresheet contributed to the gaps at the back, and on reflection maybe an all out defensive strategy would have been a better option. This doesn't come naturally to Sunday morning players though and to their credit Logica were determined to have a damn good go at their opponents.

At the end of the game Logica's exhausted nine men had worked themselves into the ground in the driving rain and could have had 3 or 4 goals with a bit of luck. More alarmingly, a number of goals conceded could not be blamed on the lack of numbers and 's outfit are still looking toothless up front. The season is far from over however: we need to win eminently winnable return games against the likes of Olympia, Everyman and Spectraprint, and if we do, the club can get out of trouble.