An attentive semi-circle of tense footballers hung on the wise every word. This cup-tie would we were told, give us a brief respite from our on-going battle against relegation. At the same time though, we should remember that this would be our last chance for a trophy this season (not strictly true).

Pride should be the main motivation against the old foe Gucci in this important Divisional Cup quarter-final. And how were we to effect this vital victory against such accomplished opposition? By giving a hundred and ten per cent, of course. I kid you not. Perhaps with some premonition of declining audiences in the coming weeks, the boy had attempted to pack as many of the most worn footballing cliches into a single tearn-talk whilst he had as many as eleven eager charges.

And how did those Logica players respond to such well-understood jargon? Well, the captain, once more forced to don the goal- keeping gloves, lead by example. Some twenty seconds into the game, was perhaps still trying to disentangle the complex knot of cliches in his head, when a speculative 40 yard hoof sailed over his head.

at least knew what he had been talking about, and it was not long before he had bravely headed an equaliser. For a period, Logica held the upper hand and were unlucky on a number of occasions not to take the lead. However, the Captains desire for the team to play like Liverpool should perhaps not be extended to defensive situations. Two well-rehearsed complete failures to clear less than dangerous crosses yielded Gucci a 3-1 half-time lead.

In the second half the game was as equally matched as in the first, and this was reflected in the scoreline; two goals apiece left Gucci as 5-3 winners and Logica out of the Divisional Cup. Both Logica goals were scored by with excellent finishes to give him yet another hat-trick in a Logica shirt, despite "a suspicion" of offside for his third.