Having netted eleven goals in their last three games, Logica’s goal-scoring touch deserted them just when they needed it most. A fine defensive display nullified our high-flying visitors attack, and if Logica had just been able to convert one chance during an impressive first half, they would surely have walked off with all the points. As it was, likely champions Cultural scored via a penalty midway through the second half and left Logica with nothing to show for an impressive performance.

With Tim Appleyard missing his first game of the season, and Ian Clarke injured, Logica had to re-jig their back three. Pace and Fleming adapted admirably and the Cultural attackers were frustrated for most of the morning. The familiar story of a no-show goalkeeper gave Trovato his chance this week to see if the gloves fitted, and our Italian Cinderella turned in a blinder. Immaculate handling combined with repeated bravery and some comedy cotton wool in either nostril should leave Abbott, Appleyard, Spence et al with one less string to their bow. The full repertoire was on display. Crosses were punched (continental keepers, eh?!?), low shots were gathered at full stretch, and the hooves of advancing strikers were dived at without the slightest consideration for personal safety. A job for life, methinks.

Conscious of their appalling first half a fortnight ago, Logica were determined to take the initiative this time out. An attacking formation found the midfield and attack supporting each other well, and some sweet inter-passing created a number of chances. Logica looked the sharper team from the outset and nearly scored early on when Spence pounced on a short back-pass. Unfortunately, the Cultural keeper was just able to block the goal-bound toe-poke. Some one-touch midfield interplay culminated with Abbott sending Toman clear down the left. The Geordie wing-wizard’s low cross was met on the half-volley at the near post by Richmond, but the strike flashed just wide. A similarly precise move down the other flank culminated in a low pull-back from Jon Clarke. Abbott let the ball run on to the unmarked Richmond, who will have been disappointed to fire wide again with just the keeper to beat. More quick-thinking towards the end of the half saw Toman send Abbott clear with a long throw. The ageing striker cleverly cut inside a defender but his curling shot was just the wrong side of the far post.

In one sense, this first half resembled the Tower game with four good chances created and missed. At the other end however Logica had excelled themselves, and Cultural didn’t really look like scoring. This defensive excellence was continued in the second half, but the attacking chances dried up mainly due to some poor final passes. This was best exemplified when Abbott was put clear by Richmond. With one defender to beat and Lambert free in support, Abbott somehow contrived to pass to the former. Such carelessness was finally punished when Cultural broke the deadlock. A hopeful ball found the Cultural striker one on one with the Logica keeper. For once, Trovato was a split second late in his advance and caught the Cultural striker rather than the ball. The penalty was duly converted for a 1-0 lead.

Logica tried in vain to earn the point they so well deserved, but few clear openings were created. Lambert was bundled over when about to shoot, but few referees would have given the penalty. With only a few minutes remaining, there was an incident of genuine controversy. Logica broke down the left and Toman nipped through two defenders. The ball ran on to Abbott, clear on goal, but one of the afore-mentioned defenders felled Toman simultaneously. The referee blew and booked the offender. Logica were left with a free-kick on the half-way line, and the initiative was lost. Yet more evidence to support Johninho’s controversial thesis.

So for the third time in as many games, Logica had lost out by the odd goal. As in the previous two games, Logica had played impressively. Stevey Lambert summed up Logica’s improvement when he opined that we were unrecognisable from the side he last played with back in April. However, impressive performances are becoming scant consolation when what we really need are points. With only four games left now that Battersea Park have dropped out of the league, we find ourselves suddenly with little opportunity left to earn the points we desperately need to move clear of the relegation zone.