It may now be mathematically impossible for Logica to win the Second Division Championship this season, but their continued improvement through a promising if sometimes erratic campaign (especially an ability to beat anybody on their day) means that they are likely to play a significant part in decided the ultimate destination of the title.

With just one defeat all season, Croydon Red Star have been gradually clawing back the gap on leaders Supercala such that a victory over Logica would have seen them go top of the pile. Whilst early season miserliness had seen them win many games by a single goal (as they did in our first meeting), a springtime flourish had seen Red Star bang in 15 goals in their last four matches, all won emphatically.

But after the previous week’s post winter break rustiness, ’s charges quickly got back up to speed and turned in a superb all-round display that saw them deservedly beat the high-flying Surrey outfit. Supercala will doubtless be as pleased as at Logica’s impressive win, but it will not have escaped their attention that they still have to travel to the Stade, and the Logica players will need little motivation when facing the current leaders after events in our previous two encounters this season.

As it needed to be against good opposition, the victory was founded on a good all-round team display. returned after last week’s memorial mourning to once more demonstrate his prowess with the gloves on. The back four was strong and resilient, despite being put under intense pressure at times. enjoyed a tremendous battle against Red Star’s fast and skilful striker, with the ace Logica defender winning on a points verdict after repeatedly thwarting the Croydon man’s attempts to score.

The midfield combined grit and determination, but, as in the Spectraprint victory, they also showed as much effort on the creative side. Quick to support in attack, all four midfielders looked comfortable in possession and there was a constant endeavour to build moves patiently with accurate passing. One of the most significant improvements in the Logica side this season is increased confidence in possession. Even in the last five minutes, the midfield quartet were still chasing down their opponents, which is no mean feat given that was playing his first game since the Autumn after his sojourn in Sweden came to an end, and was playing just his fourth match after a two-year injury nightmare.

But it was up front where the star of the show was to be found. The honour of being made club captain seems to have inspired . It was not just his two match-winning goals, both great predatory finishes, but rather his all round game. With his fitness levels rising after a long lay-off, the skipper showed a non-stop willingness to work the front line and run into positions that provided an outlet for colleagues. With the striker’s pace and sharpness also returning, such unpromising positions out wide are suddenly being turned into dangerous goal threats, most notably when lengthy sprint was ended with a foul that earned the penalty.

Which brings us in sharp contrast to his strike partner, . The experienced forward still shows the capacity to get into good positions, and his contributions outside the box remain a good link, but currently his finishing is woeful. Having missed a twice-taken penalty in his last outfield start, missed another here and also spurned two further gaping opportunities that should have been tucked away. Even considering his annual hamsting twangs and four games with the gloves on, a haul of just four goals in a greatly improving side simply isn’t good enough, and will surely be scouring the summer transfer market for a younger, pacier, more lethal supplier of tabs and lobs.

Logica announced their intent early doors and set about the title hopefuls with conviction and gusto. Within two minutes the visitors had carved out an excellent opening which epitomised the afore-mentioned contradictions in ’s current form. Cleverly anticipating the length of a wind-assisted goal-kick from , the striker took up a position some ten yards beyond the last two defenders. The gamble paid off when the pair contrived to head the ball backwards. controlled the ball in a trice and spotted the lanky keeper in no man’s land, but the trademark instinctive lob was a foot the wrong side of the post.

It was not long however before his younger strike partner showed just how it should be done. controlled a difficult pass on half way, and with the faintest of looks up, swivelled to lob a perfect pass between the last two defenders. had anticipated superbly, and timed his run to perfection. In the clear, he guided the bouncing ball with a first time deft volley that saw it arc precisely wide and over the despairing dive of the home keeper, and Logica had a deserved lead [1-0].

It was Logica playing like title contenders, and the return of and his terrier-like midfield hustling was helping the visitors retain a tight grip on proceedings. Red Star occasionally put together some neat approach play, but was largely untroubled until the Surrey side equalised out of the blue. There seemed little danger when their midfielder picked up a loose ball in the centre circle, but as the Logica rearguard for once backed off, the Croydon man was persuaded to try his luck, and fizzed an unstoppable pile-driver from fully 25 yards right into the top corner [1-1].

Buoyed by this goal, Croydon suddenly found their feet. Almost immediately was called upon to block a similar swerving long range effort that he did well to push away, before a pinpoint cross picked out an unmarked Red Star who luckily directed his header wide.

But Logica withstood this period of pressure, dusted themselves down, and set about retaliating. and combined again down the left, as a neat one-two sent the midfielder away down the wing. Again showing good vision, pulled his cross back to the striker loitering on the edge of the box, but his attempt to hit the bouncing ball first time only scythed it high and wide.

Further pressure forced a series of corners. Logica could so easily have retaken the lead when elaborately dummied a low corner at the near post, but Croydon somehow scrambled the ball off the line without knowing much about it. Then another scramble from an equally dangerous flag-kick saw just fail to get enough contact as he poked a bouncing ball goalwards from five yards.

again had the home fans on edge as he fired a 25 yard free-kick just too high, but Logica really should have taken the lead from a far better dead-ball opportunity as half-time approached. Once again was the instigator, selflessly offering a passing option out wide, before burning clear of his marker and galloping off towards goal. As a covering defender came across with a sliding challenge, poked the ball forwards before being clattered a fraction of a second later. The referee rightly pointed to the spot.

was keen to exorcise his spot demons, and purposefully grabbed the ball. But in his efforts to avoid a repeat of his previous attempt, when his sure shot was saved at full length, his kick aimed at the top corner was anxiously over-hit, and the ball sailed high and wide and into the garden behind. One supporter would later try to console the distraught striker by pointing out that the noise made by the ball as hit something in the garden sounded very much like a barn door. Rumours that a bovine posterior and small fretted musical instrument have been hired for midweek training are as yet unconfirmed.

Croydon came out for the second half in determined mood, and much of the early play took place in the Logica half. had retired to the General’s quarters behind the front line to direct battle field strategy, but had shrewdly deployed the tigerish in his stead. Red Star applied some concerted pressure, and had to be regularly on his toes, making some smart saves as well as powerfully punching corners to safety.

But after twenty minutes, Logica began to assert themselves once more, and slowly began eking out some chances. One flowing move saw the ball fed forward through and to , who strode on purposefully into the box but the keeper saved his shot. headed on a throw-in and executed a trademark noncey flick perfectly into the path of the on-rushing , but as the midfielder carefully lined up his shot, the Bobble Gods decided to amuse themselves with a comical diversion.

robbed a dallying defender to once again send free, but as the skipper weighed up his shooting options, another red shirt managed to slide in with a brilliant saving tackle. Next it was ’s turn to serve the Captain, bravely getting his head to a bouncing ball to flick it into the path of another anticipatory run. This time pulled the trigger sharply, and fired in a volley reminiscent of his earlier goal, but the effort flew inches the wrong side of the post with the keeper beaten.

The roles were reversed minutes later after another passing move played in the skipper in the inside right channel. darted into the box and saw him, squaring the ball onto the proverbial plate. Somehow, unmarked and from 12 yards out, completely scuffed his shot as the keeper knelt in prayer.

With ten minutes left, however, the striking pair did get it right. latched onto a loose ball in the centre circle, and, as peeled away into space on the left, he found the striker with a neatly lobbed pass. The yellow number 4 advanced into the box before caressing a low cross behind the Red Star back line. gambled at the near stick, just getting a toe to the ball ahead of the keeper, and managing to slide it home as he fell to the ground for a truly predatory finish [2-1].

Red Star threw everything at Logica in the remaining time in a desperate bid to keep their title hopes alive. For once their nippy forward escaped the clutches of and drilled in a low shot from ten yards that was heading inside the far post until the cat-like paw of clawed the ball away at full stretch. Logica had earned some good luck, and used it to good advantage when Red Star hit the bar twice in quick succession, the latter from a blistering effort that never even saw.

Despite the tired and heavy limbs, Logica gamely held on and their character was epitomised by a crunching yet fair tackle from that left both players in some pain. and kept chasing heroically to the end despite their lack of match fitness, and pulled off some more vital interventions as ninety minutes approached. But when it finally came, the final whistle signalled an impressive victory, and as the Croydon players sportingly admitted afterwards, one that was thoroughly deserved.

Many thanks to Super Noobles, Karen Eastwood and Vic Ashton for providing the plethora of camera angles essential at any stadium in the modern media age.