[Double header match: see report of the second match.]

Report by .

The trouble with landmark fixtures is that they rarely produce the sort of sporting action – or the results – that the romantic lovers of the game dream about beforehand: Don Bradman was out for a duck in his final test match when he needed just 4 for a career average of 100; W.G Grace was likewise bowled for a duck in his final appearance; Stanley Matthews, playing his farewell professional game for Stoke City at the tender age of 50, was on the losing side; couldn’t even fit into his shorts on the occasion of his 75th 'final' retirement match.

It was therefore in a spirit of hope rather than expectation that the hordes of fans came streaming through the turnstiles in west London on a sunny morning in April to witness another ageing sporting legend, , at the tender age of 140, finally making his 100th appearance in a Logica shirt.

It's been a century ground out, Boycott style, over more than 19 years, man and boy [Surely 'man' and 'pensioner'? Ed]. But there have been plenty of highlights along the way. He has appeared in league-winning sides, scored great goals, made outstanding tackles, and inspired many a young lad to the performance of a lifetime with his passionate Midlands spirit and love for the game. He captained the great side of Lag legends that are remembered by aficionados as the halcyon days in the club's chequered history, a position that played some part in the derivation of the now universally known nickname of "Skippy". His reign as Supremo was small but beautiful, and he remains the only Logica gaffer with an unbeaten record.

Remarkably, has only been named as substitute once in his career. That singular misjudgement was the brainchild of a reckless young manager by the name of , the history books show. But just as W.G told the bowler "they’ve come to watch me bat, not you bowl", was soon on the park and the hapless manager sacked at the end of the season, never to be heard from again.

In nearly two decades he has given the Logica faithful no end of memories to treasure. Who could forget the pre-match classic 'Easy Doors' teamtalk, or his 'Three Things' speech ahead of the Lags 2006 World Cup campaign? Or the baffling tactical summaries that routinely left some of the most educated players in Sunday football thoroughly bewildered?

And so they came back, hoping the Logica lion would send them home with another memory for the treasure trove – imagining perhaps that familiar Brylcreem-slicked bonce, slightly greying now, rising majestically in the box to power a trademark header past a hapless keeper.

But as if to remind of the bitter truth of Sunday League football, the morning started inauspiciously. Just 7 Logica players had assembled by kick-off time, with the remnants having either disappeared in bizarre circumstances or been sent on a wild goose chase by bed-bound enigmatic Supremo .

As the latecomers scrambled to change pitchside, a hastily organised side led by (whose wholehearted attitude to the game, seasoned observers might note, carries some Skippyish traits) prepared to do battle with a Fulham side accurately described by one respected pundit as "strong, aggressive and good on the ball, with a liberal sprinkling of idiots throughout the side."

Yet despite this shambolic beginning, the first 20 minutes were not unpromising. , debuting in defence, showed great composure, positional shrewdness - and a tenacity in the tackle that is clearly in the Banoub genes. Arguably, his unfortunate early exit with an ankle injury was the moment the wheels began to wobble. Before then, , and had all looked threatening, albeit sporadically.

Then came the moment the massed throngs had been waiting for. A corner was arrowed in. A familiar Brylcreem-slicked bonce, slightly greying now, rose majestically in the box and powered a trademark header past a hapless keeper. Vintage !

Sadly, the great man’s header was in the wrong box. His own goal was harsh on him, on Logica, and on who had performed impressively with the gloves and had earlier pulled off a stunning low save. It also had the effect of galvanising Fulham’s self belief, and the younger side began to dominate. Two more goals, the details of which hardly matter now [You mean you can't remember them because you're a month late with this match report – Ed] put the game beyond Logica's reach.

Not 's – or Logica's - finest hour, but there will surely more from this fine servant of the game. Perhaps the warm sun of the Algarve will allow him to roll back the years once more and add that final bit of well-deserved silverware to his personal trophy cabinet.

Meanwhile, Logica had to regroup for the second match of the double header against the same opposition. Could they pull themselves together? Or would a laughably poor bit of goalkeeping from another ageing Midlander cost them the points? Only time would tell.