[Logica win 5-4 on penalties]

An heroic team effort saw Logica players on a high after defeating First Division Notting Hill on penalties to add yet another giant-killing to our list of Golithian scalps over recent seasons. But that description doesn't really do justice to the full drama of the morning's entertainment. In a script that stretched credulity even amongst hard-core Roy Race fans, Logica began the morning with two last minute drop-outs, saw their Captain depart midway through the second half to attend a social engagement, and then had to play the last twenty-five minutes with ten men after their goalkeeper was red-carded.

Recent Cup campaigns have left a trail of vanquished and quivering higher league foes, especially during the era. Giants in the form of Worlds End, Racing Club Santos and Red Star have all been humbled by the minnow that is Logica, whilst South Wimbledon got quite a scare before narrowly beating us in the quarter-final by the odd goal in five. Before that Queen Vic also bowed out as the victim of another Logica giant-killing. In contrast, the role of Goliath does not sit happily on our slender shoulders, as witnessed by our tame exit last season at the hands of Leeds Old Boys - the only occasion we have played lower league opposition for many years.

Consequently, Notting Hill currently riding high at the top of the First Division cannot have been relishing a trip to the Stade, despite their impressive start to the season. They have won all three of their league matches so far, banging in 18 goals in the process, including an imperious 12-0 win over West London Warriors on the opening Sunday. But 's men fear nobody at the moment.

The omens were not good as and failed late fitness tests to join , , , , , and amongst others on this week's unavailability list. had kept himself waiting craftily in the wings, and also called up who is not unused to helping us out in an emergency. But the Football Gods had not even broken into a sweat yet on this most dramatic of mornings.

An extended warm-up routine saw Logica starting sharply and carrying the game to the First Division side. Indeed, the home side scored with virtually their first real chance after just ten minutes, and some goal it was too. was adapting to yet another position, but his aerial ability in the middle of the park saw him able to flick on a high ball for to chase. Not for the first time this season, there was still plenty for the striker to do, but having advanced a couple of strides, quickly spotted his chance and fired a superb shot across the keeper and just inside the far post [1-0].

The Division One leaders were stung into action, but Logica's rearguard stood solid with and outstanding from the start. For all Notting Hill's possession and corners, it was Logica who continued to pose the bigger direct goal threat, and the home side could, and perhaps should, have been three goals to the good by the interval. had a header from a corner scrambled off the line, whilst put a close-range header wide that should have doubled the lead. And as the half neared its end, found himself latching onto a long ball over the top. With the Hill keeper caught in two minds, the Logica striker lobbed the ball over him but the effort did not quite have the legs or direction to beat a covering defender.

As the half wore on, the visitors posed a more consistent threat and the Logica back four were called into action more frequently. Five minutes before the interval an equaliser finally came as Notting Hill counter-attacked swiftly down the right. A precise cross lobbed in towards the near post found Hill's forward ahead of Logica's centre-backs. The offside flag stayed resolutely down, and the Hill man got to the ball first to guide a volley past in the Logica goal [1-1].

The second half saw much huffing and puffing from both sides, but little in the way of clear-cut chances. Logica came closest when was played clear down the left by a nicely angled pass from substitute . The forward looked up before picking out the run of his strike-partner, but was just inches away from getting his head on the far post cross. Notting Hill had their own chances, and was called upon to make a number of sharp saves, most notably a brilliant block with his legs to deny a striker clear on goal.

As the clock prepared to strike twelve, Logica's captain was forced to leave the field to attend a prior engagement. "Like Cinderella," the Walsall Wizard would wryly observe later, although "maybe I'd have played better in glass slippers." This was a tad harsh, for the stand-in skipper had once again provided a calm and skilful fulcrum for Logica's attacking efforts, as he battled tirelessly to keep possession with a yellow shirt as long as possible, ably abetted by .

Notting Hill increased the urgency in a bid to avoid extra time, and the ball spent much time in the Logica half. The defending was both brave and controlled, and the full-backs and combined with the twin pillars that were and to repel all that could be thrown at them. There was only one real scare when a shot finally got the better of , but a brilliant sliding goal-line clearance from saved the day.

In fact Logica had a great chance to win the tie in the final minute. A free-kick was won on the edge of the centre-circle, and launched it into danger area. once more won the header, squaring the ball towards the penalty spot and the waiting . The Logica goalscorer turned and fired in a left-foot volley all in one movement, but the shot fizzed over the bar and the players had to endure another thirty minutes.

Roy Race's script-writer began to set up a scarcely believable climax to the morning's story-line just five minutes into extra time. A long clearance from deep for once caught Logica's rearguard unawares, and keeper in two minds as Notting Hill's burly striker set off in pursuit. A moment's hesitation was fatal, and although the keeper then rushed out, it was the striker who got to the ball first only to fire wide. But arrived a split second later to up-end the Notting Hill player.

The referee had little choice but to show the red card, and Logica's only consolation was that the moment of impact occurred five yards outside the penalty area. For the second week running, was called upon late in the day to try the gloves on for size in a handy variation on the Cinderella plot. He was as relieved as all the Logica fans inside the packed Stade to see the resultant free-kick eventually blasted wastefully high.

From then on in, it was backs to the wall as Logica battled gallantly to hold out with ten men. remained impassable, chasing down every ball to get his tackle in. was heroic as he lasted a remarkable 120 minutes in his first appearance of the season, combining a dogged defensive determination with some shrewd distribution from the back. dug in deep in the middle of the park, and effected some vital clearances from a packed penalty area.

And , once more, was unflappable between the sticks, his handling flawless as he caught, saved, clutched and punched clear everything that Notting Hill could throw at him. The home fans had their hearts in their mouths on more than one occasion, but all eleven Logica players produced a Herculean effort to keep the numerically advantaged First Division leaders at bay. After what seemed like an eternity, the referee's whistle put aching limbs out of their misery, and passed responsibility for the game's outcome into the lap of the Football Gods by means of the lottery that is pennoes.

At moments such as these you really need some old fat blokes to bring their experience to bear. But Lags were conspicuous by their absence, and it was left to to stand up and be counted. A languid amble from centre-circle to penalty spot culminated with a cool crisp finish to notch first blood in the shoot-out (1-0). Next up an over-confident Hill-man blazed high and wide and Logica thought that destiny was with them. But the Football Gods were not finished yet, and wove another Racerian twist to an already implausible plot as they somehow inspired the referee to demand the kick be retaken. had indeed danced like a man possessed on his line, but had only dived forwards once the ball had been struck. The man in black erroneously later claimed that keepers were not allowed to dive in front of the line. The retake was converted and all was even (1-1).

Next up was who calmly slotted home into the corner (2-1). The second Notting Hill kicker struck low to 's left, but the part-time keeper dived smartly to palm away the shot. A moment's hesitation as nervous home glances flicked towards the referee, but the save had apparently satisfied the arbiter's arbitrary interpretation of the laws, and Logica had the advantage. Not content with these heroics, then strolled up to fire home himself (3-1).

After Notting Hill had convincingly converted their next kick (3-2), kept his nerve and Logica's 100% conversion rate with a pin-point side-foot (4-2). had no chance with the next spot-kick (4-3), but this still left the chance of glory with Logica's fifth and final kick. But the Football Gods had lined up more twists than the average dribble, and the Hill keeper guessed right to block the striker's low effort. Notting Hill's fifth kicker made no mistake (4-4), and both sides were sentenced to sudden death.

Volunteers were getting thin on the ground now, but 's magnificent two hours had emboldened him to step forward for the Southgate slot. As ball-boys darted off in the direction of Row Z, the no-nonsense stopper neatly side-footed an unreachable spot kick just inside the left-hand post (5-4), although the air of calm elegance was somewhat shattered minutes later when admitted that he'd been aiming for the other corner.

The home fans' prayers reverted to , and the Logica keeper once again bounced confidently on his line. The sixth Hill kicker seemed to lack confidence, and the Italian libero sprung like a cat to save the low kick with his legs. As he rose with his fist clenched in triumph, he was swarmed by joyous team-mates celebrating a famous giant-killing as the First Division leaders crashed out of the Cup. As rushed out of the ground to put the finishing touches to his Glorious Double Roadmap, it was left to Roy Race to fill in at the post-match press conference, the ex-Melchester star opining that the morning's events had been a little far-fetched.

Note: The Dubious Skipper's Committee was convened at short notice following this fixture and ruled that unfortunately this famous giant-killing could not be deemed Mr Reeves' first ever victory as captain since he had run away midway through the second half.