A failure to establish the hole truth condemned Logica to a narrow defeat at the hands of the optimistically monikered Invictus club, whose Latin names translates as "unconquerable". With the game finely poised at 2-3 and half time fast approaching, produced some deft skills down the right flank before unleashing the perfect shot that arced over the keeper and under the bar.

Unfortunately the ball then quickly exited the goal via a gaping hole in the net, which was hanging shabbily from the cross-bar lower than ’s belly. The Invictus defenders were quick to claim the shot had gone over the bar, and the linesman, whose main job was as Invictus Supremo, did his best Arsene Wenger myopic impression when quizzed. As a result of all this, the referee, who one can only presume was not in a position to see for himself, passed sentence on ’s strike by disallowing the goal.

It would not be accurate to blame Logica’s defeat solely on this travesty of justice. The visitors went on to create more than enough clear-cut chances during the second half to claim all three points, let alone one. The Logica players’ profligacy, and ’s in particular, must therefore take their share of the responsibility. But it rankles that some blatant lying by the opposition should cheat us of a perfectly clear goal that would ultimately have earned us a point. But as one particular hole-expert commented after yesterday’s defeat, "there's no satisfaction in cheating your way to victory, as the Invictus players will surely learn on the final day of reckoning with the Football Gods".

Clearly, as a club we are the victims of a more Corinthian attitude. Some years ago Logica players owned up to a goal that had rebounded smartly from the stanchion inside our goal despite the referee thinking it had hit the post. And there was more naďve honesty a few years earlier when and colleagues came clean after a strike from the hole merchant snuck illegitimately into the net via a hole in the side netting. But that is part of the Logica way, and I for one prefer this level of integrity from our players, even if defeat is the occasional cost.

This controversial incident climaxed an exhilarating first half that boasted five goals plus plenty of goalmouth action. It was the home side who grabbed the initiative early doors, but the only real scare came when keeper wafted a peg over a bobbling back-pass. Cool as you like, the gloveman turned calmly, trotted back before deciding to clear the ball into touch off the goal-line. His colleagues were slightly less composed, for they could see the Invictus striker closing in fast.

But it was Logica who took the lead courtesy of some opportunism. A dawdling defender’s back pass was a fraction too short, and the Swedish émigré was in like a flash, nicking the ball past the advancing keeper and tapping home just before another defender came sliding in [1-0]. was back.

Buoyed by the goal, Logica responded with some more convincing football. The passing started to click in patches, and they really should have increased their lead. was alert to rob a dallying defender in the box, and after drifting inside another defender struck a low shot from eight yards that was heading straight for the far corner of the net. But perhaps the shot was telegraphed, for the Invictus keeper was quickly down to save the shot, and a great chance had gone begging. The ageing striker had another chance minutes later when fed smartly by , but again his shot towards the far post was saved by the keeper a little too easily.

Invictus had not created many clear-cut chances, but the Logica back-line were perhaps not wholly convincing with an offside trap that had benefited from a number of close calls. Finally a ball over the top did spring the trap, and the home side’s gangly striker had the time and space to pick his spot as Logica showed some of the same defensive vulnerability as the previous week [1-1].

At this point, midfield powerhouse retired to sort out a contact lens problem. By the time he had returned some ten minutes later, three more goals had been scored. First of all, Invictus capitalised once more on the afore-mentioned defensive vulnerability, as another sharp, early pass dissected the Logica rearguard. tracked back doggedly with his man, but his last-ditch sliding tackle failed when the ball bobbled over his boot, and again an Invictus forward was free to convert at his leisure [1-2].

But Logica, temporarily down to ten men, were not so easily disposed of. They continued to pose a threat of their own, and were quickly rewarded when an elegant hoof over the top by caught the Invictus back four somewhat flat-footed. Not so , who had anticipated the bounce whilst spotting the home keeper some way off his line. No prizes for guessing what happened next as the experienced lobbyist clipped an inch-perfect strike goalwards, the ball arcing tantalisingly over the furiously back-peddling gloveman before dipping under the bar and nestling contently in the back of the net [2-2].

Unfortunately, parity could not be maintained for very long. Invictus threatened down the right flank, but majestically intercepted the danger, knocking the ball away from trouble before attempting a long clearance from near the corner flag. But the Italian libero must have done something serious to offend the Bobble Gods, for his miscued clearance went straight to the Invictus number ten on the angle of the box. There still seemed little immediate danger, but the blue forward conjured up a blistering drive that arrowed straight into the top right hand corner, giving absolutely no chance [2-3].

The holy injustice spurred Logica on to a crusade for goals after the break, and whilst Invictus may have enjoyed as much possession, it was the visitors who carved out a hatful of chances that should have found divine retribution executed. was the prime sinner, first when brilliantly reached the left bye-line and floated a cross to the back stick. The striker sold his marker a dummy, but after cutting inside, he again found the Invictus goalie diving to save his left-foot shot from eight yards when a goal should have resulted. An almost identical move later in the game saw eschew the noncey stuff, but a first time volley was woefully high and wide.

The Gods were not wholly bent on persecuting Logica, for when threw himself into what could at best be described as an injudicious lunge in his only penalty area, the referee ignored yet another vociferous appeal from the crumpled forward and his colleagues. A constant stream of claims during the preceding hour or more for absolutely every decision in their favour, however blatantly unjustified, had probably counted against the boys who had cried wolf.

That scare apart, there was little to trouble except the odd corner that required a punch or a catch. Logica, meanwhile, continued to pose a threat. An incisive counter-attack saw played clear down the right and his alert first-time cross was just inches too far in front of his marauding strike-partner . The same player had been unlucky earlier to see a header ricochet well wide after he had done well to get on the end of a corner.

With the clock ticking, the gambled boldly by throwing his two substitute strikers and into the fray in place of midfielders. The tactic nearly paid off as both players got into good positions. First flashed a low drive across goal which was frustratingly just in front of but wide of the far post. Soon was working his way into the box, but his low angled drive was smothered by the keeper.

Time was running out, but still Logica kept their heads and carved out good chances. curled another left-foot shot inches wide from the edge of the box after a perfect lay-off from , before the latter found himself on the end of a great move as the final whistle loomed. A smart build up saw a chipped pass pick out who had sneaked between two defenders. Chesting the ball clear into space, the Sheffielder unselfishly left the bouncing ball to the loud behest of the onrushing Teessider. You’d back every time in this position, but although the shot from 15 yards was hit crisply, it was straight at the keeper.

And so what has been two increasingly improved performances has yielded just a solitary point when they should have borne at least four. It is encouraging to see the team creating so many chances at this early stage of the season, and the passing has been fluent and slick at times. With each game should come increased cohesion, better understanding, as well as improved match fitness. On the negative side, the strikers need to quickly develop a ruthless clinicality in front of goal, and the apparent defensive vulnerability to a quick ball over the top or through the back-line, needs to be addressed promptly. And we should also rigorously check the netting prior to all subsequent games.