Match Report by

"Success goes hand in hand with complacency - disaster never far behind" said the immortal Harry H. Wombat. With these words in mind Logica Football Club set about securing the London West End Division 3 championship. With two classic victories in the last two weeks, Logica FC virtually assured themselves the first third of a tantalising treble. Two points ahead with a goal difference twenty goals superior to their nearest rival and one game to play. Without being complacent, promotion and the championship appear academic.

The divisional table at the end of January showed Logica a point clear of Sarkpoint with a game in hand. Following this, after a disappointing and unexpected defeat against Sarkpoint on a heavy and troublesome pitch, Logica bounced back with two impressive, emphatic performances. Indeed Sarkpoint, after their fluke performance against us, subsequently only managed to draw 2-2 with Selfridges to open the way for us to step in and take the championship title.

The first of the two emphatic performances was the most crucial to Logica's championship hopes. The game was against Old Coffee House (OCH) at our home ground, Southwark Park Astroturf Pitch. Having lost to Sarkpoint, we had dropped the same number of points as OCH. So not only our Championship hopes, but also the possibility of promotion rested on this match. Everyone was so incredibly fired up with determination that defeat became unthinkable. The atmosphere amongst us was electric; no way were we going to lose.

In the first ten minutes, this attitude shined through as we tore into OCH with a myriad of slick passing interchanges down either flank. Solid defence work from , , and (who had an injury similar to Brian Robson's actually), coupled with insatiable eagerness in the middle of midfield by and , ensured overwhelming possession from which came swift and incisive distribution to the flanks. Fluent intelligent passing from and provided deft openings for the two front runners, and .

After this relentless pressure OCH conceded a penalty which was duly converted by . This was swiftly followed by another from , which would have graced any Barclays divisional game. Again good possession in the midfield lead to a through ball for the striker which at first appeared to be going too wide to the left, but, as the keeper advanced, 's subtle flick from the corner of the 18yd box sent the ball floating over the puny, flailing resistance to bury itself in the far-right hand corner. Two-nil up after twenty minutes and success seemed so routine.

However, possibly predictably, as if success had been all too easy too soon, Logica seemed to get complacent and ease up. The midfield lost their dominance and the defence, overrun, made unforced errors which lead to Logica conceding four goals inside fifteen minutes. in goal was left hopeless for most of them.

The next ten minutes were a grim battle, both physical and mental, to staunch the obvious flood of enthusiasm from the resurrected Coffee House. With grit and sheer angry determination ensuing from threatened pride, stability was restored and the half-time whistle signalled some serious talking. The half-time teamtalk became a heated yet constructive cauldron of criticism, motivation and aggressive rally calling. How had we let four goals past us in fifteen minutes? What had gone wrong? It wasn't going to happen again. Did we want to win this league or not? The game had to be tightened up. We just had to go out there and do it!

With these questions answered and statements made, it was a very much renewed Logica team that started the second half. Anger, aggression, determination was carved into everyone's faces. Possession was won in every department of the team, in the air or on the ground. OCH were literally penned in their own half vainly struggling to repel the relentless, unabating, overwhelming pressure applied by Logica.

The third goal for Logica came after fifteen minutes of the second half and resulted from a through ball which , always threatening like a preying-mantis with a crew- cut, latched onto and punishingly slotted home: 4-3 to OCH; thirty minutes to go; the Logica hunt was on.

Immediately after the restart, OCH were squeezed back into the last third of the pitch. Any clearances were swiftly repelled by the Logica defence. supplying searching chips through; working the ball up the flank on the left; with and powerfully heading away.

Another ten minutes of dominant possession and skilful imagination produced the goal that brought us level. It was again who latched onto another penetrating through-ball, slipping the offside trap and coolly beating the keeper in a one-on-one dual.

By this time the crowd were going wild - all three of them: and - the subs, and . Four all and a nerve-jangling ten minutes to go.

The last ten minutes were full of passion, agony and incident which held a close shave for Logica. The last throws of demise from OCH brought them close to a goal with Logica pressing hard for the winner. Then missed a yearning opportunity from six yards, but quickly turned hero as, through the desperate defending of OCH, they conceded another penalty. Up stepped , 4-4, Logica needing to win with only five minutes to go. The hush that suddenly fell emphatically enhanced the importance of the penalty. never flinched and sent the ball unerringly past the keeper. Yes, Logica had now clawed their way back into the lead!

The last five minutes took an eternity to endure but the discipline held and Old Coffee House were never again given a chance to come back. The final result: Logica winning 5-4. With Sarkpoint drawing with Selfridges, we were back on top with two games to go...