There's not many teams who would consider themselves a tad unfortunate after losing a Cup tie by seven goals to nil. But Logica did indeed feel somewhat hard done by after just such a defeat at the hands of FC Machio de Londres in the second round of the Gladys Perry Cup at their own Stade de ILEA. Against impressive opposition from a higher division, Logica more than held their own for over an hour in what can only be described as treacherous conditions. But two pitch-inspired mistakes in quick succession decided the outcome of this tie, and four late goals greatly distorted the final picture.

To say that the surface was a bit tricky would be a huge understatement. A succession of overnight sub-zero temperatures had left the majority of the pitch frozen rock hard, whilst some heavy rain over the preceding night had left large puddles of water all over the surface. The referee was in two minds as to whether the conditions were excessively dangerous or not, but in the end perhaps the pressure of the fixture backlog persuaded him to give it a go. That a game containing much good football ensued is a testament to the technique and attitude of both sides. But there were still plenty of comedy moments with players regularly falling flat on their arses, whilst the ball's passage was regularly stopped in its tracks by the arctic tarns.

Just before kick off, an icy drizzle returned and a bitter wind began to lash across the Raynes Park tundra, but the Logica players seemed perversely inspired by such meteorological unpleasantness, viewing it as "giant-killing weather". The home side started brightly, and a surprising level of fitness and sharpness belied an extended two month winter break. Indeed the Supremo had been embarrassed by a surfeit of riches, and had had to disappoint some half a dozen or so hopefuls as he selected a squad of just fourteen from those who had made themselves available. It was not all good news, however, for after basing his pre-match strategy around a certain Geordie midfield fulcrum, Groom was as sick as a parrot to learn that Sidaway had 'not got around to' filling in his registration form as yet, and was thus ineligible for the Cup match.

Logica were soon taking the game to their Division One opponents as they adapted quicker to the conditions underfoot. Groom had controversially opted to play Reevaldo in the hole, despite Abbott performing this difficult role in the previous round's Cup victory with a reasonable degree of success. However, it would be unfair to blame the novice hole-merchant for Logica's Cup exit, as Reevaldo had a fine game and was at the heart of most of Logica's creative movements.

Craig Taylor came closest to opening the scoring early on. Abbott was played in through the channel, and after his first time shot had been blocked, the Leeds man poked a snapshot just over the bar. Taylor's long throws were once again causing havoc in the opposition rearguard, and when one such lob was only half cleared, Captain Gautam was disappointed to see his shot from the edge of the box fly wide. Abbott was quick to latch onto a long clearance behind the Machio back line, and further managed to evade the onrushing keeper. But having taken the ball wide and sizing up his options, his attempted pull-back from the bye-line to the onrushing Denyer was just intercepted.

At the other end, Logica's back three were doing a sterling job, both repelling the visiting attacks and managing to stay on their feet. Richmond was dominant both on the ground and in the air, Hatton Minor was characteristically vigorous in the tackle, and one could in no way tell that this was Manlio Trovato's first game of the season. They were ably supported by the terrier-like wing-back play of Denyer and Groom together with the strong central axis of Gautam and Wood, both of whom excelled splashing about on the treacherous midfield ice-rink. Machio only created one real chance of note, and that was when Trovato lost his footing on the slippery ground to leave their striker with a clear run on goal. Luckily he shot wide as Fleming advanced. But as half time approached, Machio did take the lead from a free kick some forty yards out. The ball was crossed into the box and an unmarked player still did exceptionally well to direct his header into the corner of the goal from ten yards out (0-1).

The second half continued in fairly even fashion until two tragic mistakes more or less decided the game in Machio's favour. First their tricky winger weaved his way into the box, and Richmond was unfortunate that his purposeful lunge just missed the ball and upended the player instead. No complaints, and the penalty was tucked away with aplomb (0-2). Then a high ball into Logica's penalty area seemed a straight forward job for Phill Hatton to head clear. Unfortunately as Hatton prepared to jump, he lost his footing and fell on his arse, leaving the ball to bounce through to a loitering Machio striker who had little difficulty scoring from close range (0-3).

These two goals in the space of a few minutes were a devastating blow to the underdogs, who nevertheless fought on gamely. A swift four man move culminated in Tim Wood unleashing a powerful low drive that the keeper could not hold, and Abbott following up in anticipation was inches away from reaching the rebound. Logica's pressure also yielded a free kick in a dangerous position twenty five yards from goal. However, when Gautam and Wood's well practised manoeuvre was intercepted by the defensive wall, Machio raced clear to add a breakaway fourth (0-4).

Logica could be excused dropping their collective head at this unfortunate turn of events, but worse followed when Machio ruthlessly exploited their eventual ascendancy to add three further late goals. There might have been another, but as a Machio striker clear on goal pondered his finish of choice, Trovato appeared from nowhere and executed the most well-timed of sliding tackles to save a certain goal in brilliant style.

A final scoreline of 7-0 was scant justice for Logica's endeavours, and the home side's performance was put into perspective by information gleaned from the Machio substitutes and manager. It transpired that the team were all Portuguese, and that the Machio club takes its place in that country's professional second division. If this all seemed a little odd, it was also revealed that their goalkeeper was on Bradford City's books. Perhaps most flatteringly, one player opined that Logica were the first team to give FC Machio a decent game this season. And that included Pump House FC, whom Machio trounced 6-1 in a pre-season friendly. Few can forget that it was Pump House who demolished Logica 10-0 before Christmas, but these encouraging words will doubtless give the team an even stronger sense of determination and self-belief when they seek to gain revenge on that very team next Sunday.