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Today was the day of the big test. This vital double-header against Bragança was a do-or-die affair, an all-or-nothing encounter, from which Logica desperately needed all six points if they were to have any chance of staving off relegation.

Newcomer was immediately made aware of how much work he was expected to do on behalf of his colleagues when he found himself called upon to toss up, captain caught taking a pitch-side leak when the referee called the skippers together. rose to the task, however, winning the toss and electing to kick-off up the legendary Riverside Lands Stadium slope. [Author’s note: these pitches are so much better than in previous seasons].

Logica further impressed by stringing five passes together, but then they lost the ball and went on the defensive. The diminutive Bragança subsequently held the ascendancy for the first ten minutes, showing good touches, quick able feet but severely lacking in the ability to pass the ball with any conviction or accuracy over a distance of 10 meters.

The first scare for Logica came when and clashed heads over an otherwise uncontested ball. It was who came off worse, with a bloody nose and a sore head, but thankfully, he was able to continue after a few minutes.

The visitors were the first to trouble a keeper. A poorly headed clearance from fell invitingly to an unmarked Bragança striker whose mis-hit volley fortunately saw the ball limp over the goal-line some three yards wide.

On the positive side, was winning every header in midfield. However, second- and third-phase balls were quickly surrendered to the opposition. was a mere spectator on the left side of midfield, whilst struggled to make much more impact on the right. The latter did link well with on occasions, and also managed to fire in a couple of shots after good work from and .

The Bragança rearguard were seemingly intimate with the art of fannying, but not so well versed with art of the hoof. As such, they were caught out numerous times by the foraging of , and . But Logica were unable to convert this pressure into goal scoring chances.

As the half wore on it became increasingly clear that Bragança were not a physical side and that Logica could use this to their advantage. and ably demonstrated how effective this tactic could be by winning the ball on the right touchline and delivering a ball into the box that was just too high for the leaping .

Logica's half time discussion centred around being stronger in the tackle and being more effective with the ball once we won it. Despite the break the game continued in much the same fashion: a distinct lack of bite and heart from some quarters of the Logica team whilst Bragança's final ball was easily dealt with by the Logica defence.

However, one member of the Logica team did manage to up his game, albeit briefly. Perhaps it was due to him no longer marking the 5ft nothing Bragança right-midfielder, who had switched to right back, but in any event, suddenly found some space and the ball at his feet more regularly. Some decisive running and clever passing found Logica playing a little bit of football finally.

One move started by found with room to move deep in Bragança 's half. As the Leeds man played the ball around two players he was brought down 25 meters from the opposition’s goal. Prime real estate for Logica's dead ball specialists. It was who stepped up and sent a dipping ball over the wall to the keeper’s right. But in a moment for the cameras the visiting number one tipped the ball around the post for a corner.

However, Logica were not finished there. 's corner hung invitingly in the six-yard box for and to attack. It was who made the decisive contact and force the ball into the net [1-0].

Bouyed by this rare display of football, the Logica team worked harder and stronger, especially in the middle of the park. Perhaps at times too strong, with and conceding a number of free kicks. The latter, in particular, was lucky not to receive a booking after wrapping both legs around and in front of an advancing midfielder.

This display of strength was too much for the Bragança side, who noticeably started to withhold from challenges against the hard-men of Logica. As the space opened up, , and all troubled the Bragança goal, but none of the resulting corners or penalty box pinball could be converted into goals.

So our enthusiastic students of the game had passed their first examination of the morning, albeit via some rather desperate last-minute cramming, and claimed the first three points on offer. Now the question set was whether they could repeat the same degree of performance to obtain full marks, or whether Bragança could battle back to share the honours.

Read the report of the return match.