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The start of a new year, and perhaps the start of some good fortune for the under-fire . At the tenth time of asking, Logica finally registered their first points of the season by narrowly beating one of the many eminently beatable sides in this division by the odd goal in five. Even amidst much relief at getting off the mark, the players still contrived to make life unnecesarily difficult for themselves as an impressive performance should really have seen them run out far more comfortable victors.

As the home players took the field displaying the tell-tale signs of a fulfilling festive period, they could at least take some encouragement from the fact that Spectraprint lined up with only ten men. There was no place for sympathy, however, as Logica had played the reverse fixture back in November with only nine men and a moderate Print side had mercilessly filled the onion bag eight times. 's men were straight into the action and began well, forcing the opposition back and going close through after a melee in the area. Spectra were also a threat however and fired narrowly over after a speedy break.

Logica were well on top in the early stages with promising debutante and seeing plenty of the ball in wide areas. and were pulling the strings in the middle, and it seemed only a matter of time before Logica would open the scoring. This proved to be the case as a left wing free kick was played into the area to be flicked on by . The loose ball was pounced on by , who turned sharply and smashed a shot under the keeper from eight yards [1-0].

An excellent start for Logica but better was to follow. Another cross into the box was half cleared. was again first to the loose ball and saw his effort beat the keeper but not the defender's hand on the goal line. A clear penalty. As the defender was receiving a yellow card for the handball, spotted the ball up despite appeals from to take the penalty. As this was the same goalkeeper that has saved 's previous penalty, the striker changed his strategy and fired the ball into the opposite corner with the keeper this time diving the wrong way [2-0].

Logica were now cruising and in full control. A long ball from found its way to the 18-yard line and somehow slipped under a defender's foot, right into the path of . The frontman latched onto it and got all of his considerable weight behind his shot which crashed off the underside of the crossbar and rebounded into the top of the net with the keeper clutching at thin air. then set off on a celebration run which was to involve a symbolic hug-the-manager gesture, but this was aborted as 's face loomed into view [3-0].

Further chances in the first half involved good play by and whilst also went close with a snapshot. managed to get on the end of a cross, only to have his close range effort well saved by a keeper who was also fast to react to block the striker's follow up.

The half-hour mark saw Spectraprint begin to force their way into the game with their two best players in central midfield beginning to dominate proceedings. Some excellent last ditch tackles from and managed to thwart some promising runs, and keeper was also off his line quickly to clear when required.

Logica got a large stroke of luck when Spectraprint were awarded a free kick some 25 yards from goal. The low delivery managed to snake through a crowd of players before being touched home from close range by a Print striker. Just as Logica were contemplating the reduction of their comfort zone, the linesman raised his flag and the goal was disallowed. A huge stroke of luck as it was very hard to see any infringement amongst the mass of players.

The yellow and green army managed to hold out to half time, and the team talk was delivered in determined fashion. It was vital to preserve the three goal cushion for as long as possible. Spectraprint had scored eight goals in the previous fixture, and the Logica players reminded themselves that the game was certainly not over and a solid start to the second half was crucial.

This wall of steel lasted precisely five seconds. Two Spectra attackers ghosted through some challenges straight from the kick off, and a half hit shot looked certain to be a simple take for Logica's stand in keeper. The visiting players were as surprised as anyone to see the ball squirm under the keeper's body and into the net [3-1]. This served as a massive shot in the arm for the opposition and meant that the next 44 minutes would be a real test of character for 's men.

Spectraprint applied the pressure constantly for the next quarter of an hour. The excellent delivery from corner kicks by their No.9 was causing real problems but the back line performed heroics, literally throwing themselves in front of the ball in truly committed fashion, exemplified by and . A couple of headers flashed narrowly wide and a Print attacker also fired off target when well placed as the away side pressed.

Logica desperately tried to get back into the game, whilst the opposition switched to three at the back and threw bodies forward. 's men managed to make progress down the flanks with and the ever industrious proving a valuable outlet to take the pressure off the beleaguered back line. One attack in particular almost provided a fourth strike with a goal mouth melee resulting in 's shot being well saved. was beginning to see a lot of the ball and fired wide from 's cut-back during another promising attack. Logica were beginning to get their own grip back on midfield, mainly thanks to going man-to-man on Spectraprint's main midfield threat.

The pace of on the left flank had caused problems for the opposition all morning. Cutting inside onto an excellent through ball, the diminutive wide-man was cruelly felled whilst bearing down on goal some 25 yards out. The unpredictable referee gave the free kick and could have easily dismissed the opposition player, but the cards remained firmly in the pocket. A lengthy delay whilst received treatment gave the opportunity to size up the dead ball. The striker's well struck curling effort beat the wall, the keeper and the man on the line but not the inside of the left upright, and agonizingly rebounded out with just unable to convert the rebound.

Spectra were still a threat though, and a long range effort was palmed away by . However a Spectra striker was following up and returned the ball with interest into the net. Once again a huge stroke of luck as the linesman and referee both signaled that the player had been in an offside position as the initial shot was struck, much to the annoyance of the opposition who were vociferous in disputing the decision. Maybe this was to be 's day after all; it was certainly beginning to appear that way.

Spectraprint were beginning to grow frustrated with their efforts as time ticked away, until with 20 minutes left, they were thrown a lifeline. A strong challenge by in the area was deemed to have involved a push and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. The kick was taken weakly by a Spectra defender and seemed to be an easy take for the Logica goalie who had read the direction of the strike, but the ball managed to squirm under his body again and into the net [3-2]. Logica now had a real test on their hands to hold out for their first win of the season with the opposition throwing everything at the home back line.

A prominent feature of this contest had been the unpredictable decisions of the referee and his influence continued into the last 10 minutes. A Spectra defender was caught dithering on the ball on the edge of the area by , who cut inside and bore down on goal. The robbery victim's childish and ungentlemanly scream in the striker's ear to put him off failed to have the desired effect, and as the Teesider was pulling back the trigger, he was crudely hacked down from behind by the desperate defender. The award of a penalty seemed an inevitability but amazingly the referee waved play on to the utter disbelief of those in yellow and green.

There was no time to waste disputing the decision, however, as Spectraprint were back on the attack. But with time ebbing away, Logica again almost succeeded on the break. calleded his many year's experience to such a close situation, and abandoning his defensive duties, he charged through the middle, just failing to convert 's deep cross.

The Sheffielder was soon back in the action again, this time chasing down a long ball and rounding the keeper. 's effort from a narrow angle was goalbound and was only diverted for a corner by a defender's desperately outstretched arm. Amazingly the referee again failed to deem this latest offence worthy of a penalty kick, and the away side escaped punishment once more. With time ticking away, almost sealed the game for Logica, but his well struck effort was just too close to the goalkeeper.

The final whistle sounded to the sheer relief of Logica's exhausted players. A superb win characterised by resilient defending and clinical finishing had brought the first points of the season. Despite the narrow margin of victory, the changing room was a buoyant place to be after the game, and the smiles on Logica faces made for a refreshing change with impressive debutante being particularly chuffed.