After decimating Sportobello 7-0 in the first match of this double header league fixture, Logica's main concern was not to become complacent and expect the second match to be a formality. The ghost of Barry Millar might well have been watching over the players as they reminded each other that it was "nils each" again, and that they'd have to go out and start from scratch once more.

Such advice proved effective, and the Logica team, showing three changes from the first match, were able to establish an early dominance. Fleming added some defensive grit to the left side of midfield as well as providing some attacking threat. Groom slipped seamlessly into the right-back berth vacated by Phill Hatton, and Nigel Hoyland started up front along side Abbott. Hatton and Reevaldo shared the bench with Phil Rafferty, taking his place in a Logica squad for the first time this season. Sadly, due to some childish behaviour on the part of Sportobello, none of these three would make the field of play.

Sportobello provided some early reminders that Logica should not take too much for granted. Much of the initial play took place in the Logica half, and some quick through balls tested the Logica back line for the first time this morning. They were equal to the task, and one beautifully timed sliding tackle from Trovato just pipped a breakaway Bello forward as he shaped to shoot. It was indeed a Trovato Classico.

Sportobello did register their first shot of any note, when a fifteen yard effort went harmlessly high and wide. Whilst it should be noted that new keeper Lee Pendleton has kept three clean sheets in his first three matches, it is perhaps only fair to note that he has not exactly been over-stretched in the shot-saving department. Once again the most he was called upon to do here was come to collect a number of crosses which he did with some aplomb. It is a mark of the competent nature of the defenders in front of him that he has had so little to do.

After weathering this early light shower, Logica started to reassert their dominance. It was Abbott who made the break-through. Receiving a short pass just inside the box with his back to goal, he turned his defender in a trice and was unceremoniously upended for his troubles - a blatant penalty. After quickly assessing the laws of the game and determining that there was no possibility of an assist from the penalty spot, Abbott had little choice but to convert the spot-kick directly (1-0).

Scott Fleming, unleashed on an unsuspecting outfield world after many months manacled in gloves, was enjoying himself to the full and was instrumental in all Logica's remaining goals. First up he combined with Abbott before slipping a low cross right into the path of Jon Clarke. The Scotsman required just one touch before blasting a low shot past a helpless keeper (2-0). It was Abbott and Fleming who also crafted a fine third goal. Abbott played a pass for Fleming to chase down the left, before "racing" into the penalty area to get on the end of the Dundee man's cross. Taking the ball in his stride, Abbott could not resist a little nonce. Shaping to shoot he bamboozled defender and keeper alike with an elaborate dummy, before cutting inside to side-foot into a gaping goal (3-0).

Fleming was again to be found marauding down the left in the build up to the next goal. A good passing move found him poking a first-time, right-foot cross which yielded another blatant penalty as a defender stuck out a hand to intercept the ball. It was about now that Logica first suspected that Sportobello may have given up hope. As Abbott placed the ball on the spot, he noticed that the opposition goalkeeper had donned an anorak. Entering into the carnival spirit, Abbott attempted to place his penalty directly at cameraman Reevaldo who was standing behind the goal. Clearly a case of trying to be too clever, as the striker scuffed his shot and was lucky to see it dribble over the line despite the goalie getting a hand to it (4-0). [Fashion Editor's Note: It was not ascertained whether the keeper's gloves were joined by a piece of elastic down either arm of his anorak].

Whilst most of the Sportobello players had resigned themselves to their fate, one proud young man was determined that he would not go down without a fight. He was heard making threats that if Sportobello couldn't hope to win, he would at least wreak some physical retribution on his tormentors. A high bouncing ball provided him with an opportunity to try his luck, and as Jon Clarke leaped to win the header, he appeared to try and take the Logica player out. To no avail though, and Logica were away once again. Taylor fed the ball on to Scott Fleming once more, who raced away down the left. Employing one of the oldest tricks in the book, Fleming shaped as if to cross, but then dextrously lofted the most delicate of chips over a completely fooled keeper and into the back of the net (5-0).

Jon Clarke, mildly irritated to say the least by the Sportobello player's clearly stated intent to maim or wound someone on the opposition, took it upon himself to make the referee aware of the situation. The player in question then started bad-mouthing the referee accusing him of being intimidated, and some other things a little less polite. The referee summoned the player to him, who refused to obey. "No, you f***ing come over here," was the less than diplomatic response.

This man could learn a lot from the finely honed referee-interaction skills of Johninho. One could not help be reminded of the Teessider's famous oration debating the motion that 'all referees have personality defects' which found him seeing red after just twelve seconds of play in a match back in 1997. No, the Sportobello player is most definitely a novice by compare to that particular Logica Legend.

The Sportobello player was inevitably shown the red card, and stomped childishly from the field of play, bad-mouthing the official as he left. More worryingly for Logica was the fact that three of his colleagues decided to join him, not I think because they disagreed with the sending off, but rather because they had just had enough humiliation for one morning. Very much a case of taking one's ball home.

Somewhat characteristically the referee failed to notice that the opposition were now down to six players, and play restarted briefly. The gross numerical imbalance had to be pointed out to him by Logica players, who also drew his attention to the law that stated each side must have at least seven players on the field for a game to be continued. After some confusion, he abandoned the match, but only after Logica players had gained assurance that the score of 5-0 would be recorded.

Supremo Groom attended the League meeting the following evening and can confirm that the two results were duly reported by the referee and, for the time being at least, stand. However, it seems quite certain that some disciplinary action will be taken when the referee's report is dealt with (assuming he remembered to mention all this!).

Further problems are likely to arise from the fact that Sportobello left without paying their referee or pitch fees. Given that the club have already been suspended this season once, it is highly likely that they will be kicked out of the league for this latest set of infringements, in which case their record will be expunged. Sadly, this will mean that the six points so emphatically and professionally earned by Logica from these two games will disappear.