Despite recent revelations regarding the latent guitar-strumming aspirations of various members of the Logica team, it was Club Santos who were calling the tune as they popped in six goals at the Stade d'Ilea this morning. Racing proved a far more effective combo whose non-stop rhythm had the home side beat well before the end. At least Fazel's second half strike allowed Logica to maintain one pre-Christmas record, that of scoring in every game this season.

That Groom was one of the Logica band of players with hidden musical talents will surprise nobody. Supremos are, almost without exception, wise beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, and we have little doubt that our leader has some subtle ploy up his sleeve.

This was the second of a trio of matches against the same opponents in four weeks, with next Sunday's last game of 2001 pitting the same two sides against each other in the second round of the Ron Le Beau Challenge Cup. Silverware is the only currency that Supremos trade in, and after another famous giantkilling in the Round One, the Beau pot probably represents Logica's best chance of glory in this campaign.

Groom, as Supremo, must be on a higher plane, clearly surveying the wider picture. The two league defeats Logica have now suffered in quick succession against Santos can only be part of his visionary tactic to achieve the ultimate goal of glory by lulling our Cup opponents into a false sense of security. Phases One and Two of the Supremo's master-plan have therefore been executed to the letter.

If anything, Logica were open to accusations of serious over-lulling when they conceded two goals early doors. In the first minutes they struggled to clear Santos' first threatening attack, and visitors' top-quality forward, Smudger, finished lethally from the edge of the box with the outside of his right foot [0-1]. You know you're up against a top notch Sunday morning team when they have a player called Smudger.

Logica were still trying to get their bearings when Santos increased their lead with a truly breath-taking goal. A shot from fully forty yards fizzed into the top corner past a helpless Fleming, who could only stand and admire the strike [0-2]. This was not some hit-and-hope effort, it was played for and got, and the visitor's would go on to prove that the lethal shooting exhibited in our first encounter was no fluke.

It was a stunning blow that had Logica reeling on the ropes, and worse was to follow when striker Craig Taylor was floored by an eleven year old girl playing on the side-lines. But the team managed to pick themselves up and fight back with a few jabs of their own. Reevaldo fed Jon Clarke who embarked on a brilliant run into the box, but was unfortunately unable to finish on his left foot. The Walsall Wizard was then off down the left himself, dribbling past a number of defenders before picking out Banoub unmarked on the edge of the box. The Logica forward perhaps had more time than he realised but still hit an early shot cleanly, but the Santos keeper pulled off a good save.

Mainwaring chipped in with a speculative long range effort and, as half time approached, the home side were starting to feel that they were at last punching their weight. But another clinical goal conceded just before the interval shattered this illusion and effectively put the result beyond doubt. A good move down the left culminated in a dangerous Racing cross that was only bettered by the bullet header that again left Fleming a bemused onlooker [0-3].

To their credit, Logica began the second half positively and mainly through the the neat and thoughtful passing play of Reevaldo and Jon Clarke, were able to pose an occasional threat throughout the remainder of the game.

Finally the pacey threat of Mercer Field on the right was starting to be utilised, and brilliant play from the wide-man created two identical chances in quick succession. First he robbed a dallying defender and wriggled along the bye-line before pulling the ball back to Reevaldo. The would-be hole merchant was surrounded but still got in a sharp snap-shot that was unfortunately straight at the keeper. Field was soon burning past more helpless defenders and this time he picked out Banoub in the box. The Teessider stepped past his man and unleashed what seemed a certain net-bound strike until Santos' baby-faced keeper pulled off a brilliant diving stop to again deny the unlucky number nine.

Santos had wasted a couple of good chances of their own before they increased their lead in fortunate fashion. A strong run down the right resulted in a vicious cross into the danger area that flashed in front of Fleming. Phill Hatton was covering the back stick and did not have time to react as the ball struck his knee and rebounded into the Logica net [0-4].

Logica were in danger of becoming lambs to the slaughter, but the be-sheepskinned Groom on the sidelines maintained his Supreme calm and replaced Taylor with Nich Fazel. The forward's fresh legs revitalised Logica's threat and a number of promising moves evolved as the substitute's pace caused a little unrest in the Santos rearguard.

Reevaldo perhaps had the best chance, hitting a twenty yard half-volley too high, before the substitute pulled a goal back for the home side. Mainwaring fed the ball down the left and Fazel latched on to it eagerly. Going outside one man, he cut in along the bye-line and as the keeper advanced he flicked the ball over him and into the net off the arm of a defender [1-4]. This reporter was all for crediting the striker with the goal, but a straw poll in the post-match players lounge demanded the only the second ever sitting of the Dubious Goals Committee. The decision, as they say, is yours.

Despite more fresh legs in the shape of Gill and Howarth, this proved to be the last real threat from Logica. Those who had struggled to combat Racing Club's slick passing for the whole match were understandably beginning to tire, and it was no surprise when the visitor's added two late goals. First a strong running midfielder was allowed to advance unchallenged to the edge of the box, and he punished such generosity with a clinical low strike that again gave Fleming no chance [1-5]. In the dying minutes a free-kick was tapped to the right from where the ball was once again rifled mercilessly into the bottom corner from twenty yards [1-6].

Despite the traitorous urging from certain members of the press-box, Club Santos were unable to add a further goal that would have allowed the pre-meditated and not particularly funny "S-Club Seven" headline, and the final whistle enabled the Logica players to ponder next week's Cup clash with some trepidation. However, they should not worry too much, for Phase Three of the Supremo's Master Lull-Plan will surely result in a famous victory en route to Cup glory.