It has been dubbed Mission Impossible by a sceptical media, but if Logica were to have any chance of pulling off a remarkable Houdini act and escaping what has seemed up until now certain relegation, this morning’s task was stark and simple. They must beat relegation rivals Everyman in this vital relegation 'six-pointer'. That they turned around a half-time deficit and struck back with four second half goals to move off the bottom of the table for the first time this season, is a great testament to the new-found character and resolve of this team. For this game at least, it was most certainly a case of 'mission accomplished'.

might have been tempted to inspire his charges with a rendition of Winston Churchill’s "we will fight them on the beaches" speech. It seems unlikely that Juno, Gold, Sword, Utah and Omaha can have boasted much more sand between them than greeted the players as they emerged from the tunnel at the Tooting Bec Arena. And the biting and icy wind that whipped across these South London dunes only served to remind all present that this would be a classic Sunday morning footballing battle. The sun-drenched lawns of Logica’s usual Stade d’Ilea home, unfortunately commandeered for Cup semi-final duties, seemed a long way away.

As usual there was plenty to occupy ’s thoughts in the run up to the Big Match. Beer, of course, but also some large scale availability had left the gaffer with some difficult selection decisions, and ’s foolhardy decision to play for a Lag Select V in a major 5-aside competition on the eve of this game inevitably resulted in both more Lag silverware and the familiar sound of hamstrings twanging. However, the striker hobbled through a late fitness test, and those who had been selected were also immensely cheered to see support on the sidelines from some of those players who had not been selected, namely and . Good effort, chaps, and much appreciated.

And it seemed that the Football Gods might just be looking kindly down on Logica’s date with Destiny, when Everyman started the game with only nine men. But whilst the home side inevitably dominated early proceedings, they were unable to turn numerical superiority into goals. really should have settled nerves with an early goal when loitering at the back stick after a half-cleared ball. Fellow Lag delivered the most measured of crosses which evaded the desperate lunge of the last defender only to find side-footing wide.

The same combination nearly redeemed matters a few minutes later when bravely won a header against the big centre-half to knock a bouncing ball square to the same striker. Spotting the keeper off his line, doesn’t need a second invitation to lob, and a high arcing, first-time shot appeared to be going in until a miraculous clawing lunge from the back-peddling Everyman keeper just managed to tip the ball over the bar. did have the ball in the net when he converted a brilliant low cross, but the referee disallowed the effort, ruling the Logica midfielder offside.

By now the missing Everymen had arrived and joined the fray. But despite this numerical parity, Logica continued to play as if against just nine. They were a little too laid-back, expecting victory to be served up rather than earned, and frustration grew as half time approached. Logica did remain dominant in terms of possession, and a continual bombardment of long throws-ins and corners caused occasional scares for the visitors. again had the clearest opportunity after strike-partner had brilliantly shielded the ball and laid it into his path. But the Lag’s first time snapshot, although looking good on camera, was too close to the keeper.

With long range efforts from , and all flying high, impatience was increasing in the home ranks. And officianados of the game will have little difficulty in guessing 'Err, what happened next?'. Yes, Everyman took the lead. The danger seemed to have passed when, despite slicing a clearance back over his right-back’s head, and other Logica defenders had sped back to cover. But from the left-hand angle of the penalty area, the Everyman forward unleashed an unstoppable pile-driver that fizzed over the despairing dive of and dipped just under the bar [0-1].

It could have been even worse as the goal seemed to unnerve the Logica rearguard’s recently acquired composure, and hearts were in mouths as one session of penalty box pin-ball fortunately ended with the ball somewhat fortuitously in 's grasp. The half-time whistle was thus a welcome chance for Logica to restore a sense of calm, encourage encouragement, and also to remind one another that they had forty-five minutes to keep their season alive.

The players responded, and restarted the game with a noticeable sense of purpose, concentrating on doing the simple things well. Everyman no longer had the space and time they had enjoyed in the first half as Logica collectively closed down their opponents as soon as possession was lost. was inspired, chasing everything and Everyman, regularly winning the ball back to start another attack. did likewise, his non-stop commitment and running posing a continual threat down the right flank, whilst he also won so much in the air. And with terrier-like on the left, and yet again putting in some serious graft in the middle of the park, Logica really piled the pressure on in the second half.

But still the ball would not go in. The latest in a succession of corners saw peeling off the near post to take a short ball. An elaborate dummy enabled him to fool his man and whip in a dangerous cross from the bye-line. had timed his run perfectly, and rose to bullet a header just inches over the bar. Next a long throw was headed on, and with his back to goal ’s effort was more noncey flick than overhead kick, but the ball once more rolled agonisingly and inches wide of the far post.

Logica did not give up however, and their concerted pressure was finally rewarded with an equaliser just past the hour mark. Everyman struggled to clear the danger in their own penalty area and stepped in to flick the ball over a defender's head to who was lurking on the left. There was still plenty to do, but maintained a calm head to produce excellent technique and fire a volley low into the far corner of the net from twelve yards [1-1]. This was some way to open his Logica goalscoring account, and what a vital goal it was too.

The flood-gates were open now, Logica piled forward, and a second goal was not long in coming. Not for the first time it was showing both determination and skill to reach the bye-line, and pull back a dangerous ball. A lunging Everyman foot just managed to cut out the cross, but was waiting to pounce and slammed the ball home off another outstretched Everyman boot to give Logica the lead with a well-deserved goal [2-1].

Chances continued to flow as Logica sought to put the game out of reach. brought another save from the Everyman keeper before creating the third for . Taking the ball from a throw-in, he turned his marker inside then out in a hamstring-threatening sequence of over-elaborate dummies near the corner flag, before curling an inviting cross to the back stick that took the keeper out of the game. Attackers and defenders alike seemed to be frozen in a game of musical statues, that is, all except , who alone had anticipated the cross and managed to divert the difficult bouncing ball just inside the far post for a real predator’s goal [3-1].

Soon afterwards should have killed the game off. A good passing move saw chipping a dangerous ball towards the penalty spot. As keeper and defender converged, it was who got a toe to the ball, cushioning it into the path of , who only had to tap the ball into an empty net. Somehow, from just 10 yards out, he contrived to clip the ball over the bar. A truly horrendous miss!

With putting another chance wide and narrowly failing to secure a hat-trick, Logica’s two-goal lead seemed to suddenly inspire an attack of the jitters. Even the most ardent enemy of the Bobble Gods could not hold them responsible for all the mis-kicks, scythed clearances and air-shots that for a brief period threatened to undermine all the good work. Luckily for Logica, remained sound and secure behind it all, and in particular his faultless handling in such difficult conditions extinguished the danger on a number of occasions.

As Logica limbs tired there was much exhortation to keep going. With just over ten minutes remaining, deployed a pair of fresh legs in the shape of , though unfortunately the other substitutes had got changed because they were a bit chilly.

This fresh impetus seemed to do the trick, and Logica steadied the nerves and finished the stronger of the two sides. And with the last kick of the game they added a fourth goal that their overall dominance merited. It was who once again won the ball and knocked it down to . After all the profligacy that had gone before from , did not mess about, and simply unleashed an unstoppable shot from 25 yards that sizzled into the roof of the net past a flailing keeper [4-1].

Finally Logica could begin to celebrate. They had won a must-win game and the eventual result was all the more impressive given they had been trailing at half-time. The opposition may not have been the best, but Logica had still contrived to lose to Everyman back in September, and needed to show character in adversity. Once more the number of chances created on a difficult surface (a dozen at least) will give another reason for optimism, even if somehow managed to miss most of them!

Nobody will be fooled into believing that this result alone will save Logica from the drop. It is just the first of at least four victories they need to register if they are to have a realistic chance of survival. But the character, commitment and application demonstrated in what is now a three-match unbeaten run has gone a long way to re-establishing a confidence that will stand them in good stead for the rest of the season, and they will go into next Sunday’s home game with Olympia with a justified optimism of victory.