Dreams of the double evaporated this morning when Logica crashed out of the Cup despite leading 2-0 with just twenty-two minutes remaining. Spence and Abbott had scored first half goals which seemed enough to secure a place in the third round. But after pulling one goal back, Chelsea United grabbed the psychological initiative with both hands and Logica crumbled. An equaliser followed quickly, and a Chelsea winner was unfortunately no surprise.

Despite injuries to Dave Richmond and Jeff Hatton, and with Reevaldo also unavailable, Supremo Fleming still felt confident enough to indulge in a spot of squad rotation. Sidaway was once again axed, and the impressive Brown was also sacrificed to give other squad members a match. But disaster struck when Jon Clarke failed to appear and a number of last minute "illnesses" reduced Logica to a bare twelve.

There is only one place between Logica and Chelsea in the Division Two table, but it was the Stamford Bridge outfit who dominated the game from the start. For the first ten minutes Logica hardly strung two passes together and were constantly penned back deep in their own half. But in the classical tradition that is the Logica Way, the Rossoneri soaked up this pressure and struck lethally when the opportunity arose. A long clearance from Trovato cleared a square Chelsea back line, and Abbott was on to it in a trice. A call from Spence and the ball was squared for the Scot to calmly clip the ball over the advancing keeper and just inside the far post (1-0). Without any exaggeration, this was the first time that Logica had got anywhere near the Chelsea penalty area!

Even more remarkably, Logica added a second goal within minutes. Another rare foray had Chelsea struggling to clear, and Spence whipped in a goal-bound shot which was blocked by the raised arm of a defender. Penalty! Now, Abbott had missed his first ever Logica spot-kick earlier this season, and the pressure was on. Banoub seemed keen to take the kick, but Abbott strode purposely forward and grabbed the ball. Whatever was going through his head, he remained outwardly calm, sent the keeper the wrong way, and stroked the ball into the corner (2-0).

It was not all good news however, as within five minutes of this second goal, Spence had to leave the field with a serious knee injury. Turning to play an elaborate reverse pass, he was clattered from behind and twisted his knee badly. Gallagher came on, and Banoub was moved up front along side Abbott.

Boosted by these goals, Logica competed well for the remainder of the half, looked the more likely to score, and the interval talk was all about more of the same. Chelsea executed a tactical switch at the break, moving their tall centre half up front, and this seemed to make a difference. Logica's numerical advantage in midfield tended to count for little as Chelsea pumped long balls into the channels from deep. The man from the back was very good in the air, but still Logica's defence stood firm and Chelsea didn't create too many clear cut chances.

Groom in goal had his work cut out against such a physical and aerial assault. In the first half he had been badly winded after an (accidental) clash with a Chelsea forward. Despite this, the man with his own gloves bravely battled on and made some vital saves and interceptions. His handling was solid if unorthodox, and it is a rare sight to see a Logica goalie advance from his line and catch a cross cleanly as Groom did on a number of occasions. He showed great versatility in punching away one dangerous cross, and pulled off two stunning second half saves, clawing the ball out from just under the cross-bar, which even brought applause from the opposition. This was perhaps a tad ironic, since, minutes earlier, Chelsea's roving left back had clattered into Groom as he attempted to catch a cross, making no attempt to play the ball whatsoever.

Just as this scribe was beginning to think that Logica had done enough to get their name in the hat for the third round draw, tragedy struck. Chelsea embarked on a swift attack, but the threat seemed to be under control as Logica got players back. The Chelsea right-winger cut inside and unleashed a low shot from outside of the box. It wasn't hit too well, but as Groom dived the ball bobbled up and bounced over his outstretched hand and into the back of the net (2-1). Still stunned, Logica conceded a second goal minutes later as Chelsea started to believe that a comeback was very much on the cards. A cross from the right was met by Chelsea's advanced centre-half, and his downward header caught Groom wrong-footed and the scores were level (2-2).

Despite not having produced a single attack of note in the second half, Logica tried to raise themselves after this double blow. Abbott played a couple of through-balls to Banoub, but Chelsea managed to snuff out the danger. Then from a corner, Gallagher popped up beyond the far post, and his cut-back took a few deflections before Abbott stuck out a toe, but the shot was too high. At the other end, Chelsea claimed a penalty when their striker skilfully danced past two defenders on the bye-line. He cut past Trovato who made no contact with the Chelsea player, but in trying to avoid landing on Trovato, the player fell to the ground. The referee was right not to award a penalty, but perhaps a little harsh to book the Chelsea man for diving.

Chelsea continued to threaten and, in all honesty, it was no surprise when they scored a third. Not for the first time Logica gave away possession too easily, and the visitors swept forward. A couple of quick passes unlocked the Logica defence and a low shot from eight yards gave Groom no chance (2-3).

With just ten minutes left, Logica tried vainly to find a third goal from somewhere, but with little real conviction. Abbott created a chance for himself, weaving inside and outside of the last defender, but his shot from fifteen yards was palmed away at full stretch by the Chelsea keeper, and with that the game was up. It would be hard to argue that Chelsea did not deserve to win this tie over the ninety minutes, but, as a team, Logica badly need to develop the knack of being able to defend a lead.