After prematurely celebrating the end of their season following last week's win over the Tigers, Logica found that they had been selected at short notice to make up the numbers in the Division Two Championship decision making process.

With leaders Supercala just needing one more win to claim the title, it had been assumed that their outstanding fixture with second placed Croydon Red Star would be the perfect climax to this ding-dong Championship battle. Instead the powers-that-be decreed that Logica would provide Cala with the chance to finally end Red Star's dogged pursuit of the Championship.

But just as Bolton Wanderers the previous day had rattled Chelsea's trillion pound outfit, so Logica had no intention of simply turning up to pay their respects to the Champions-elect. The impromptu scheduling of the game on a Bank Holiday weekend did no favours, as a whole host of Logica stars including , , , , , , , , and had already booked their post-season holidays.

As the traditional mates network was called into action, a hastily assembled makeshift squad put up a stirring battle, frustrating Supercala for over an hour before an outstanding strike out of the blue finally broke the deadlock. As Logica pushed gamely for an equaliser, they were somewhat harshly punished as Cala added two further goals to clinch a somewhat flattering 3-0 scoreline, and with it the title.

It was central defence where had his biggest selection headache. With just two recognised defenders in the whole squad, and both of those full-backs, it was two midfielders and who unselfishly agreed to fill the void. But fill it they did with both style and determination, and both players adapted quickly and intelligently as they repelled all that Supercala could muster in the first half.

They were ably supported by those full backs, with in particular putting in another impressive display. A block on the line was his most eye-catching contribution, but a series of well-timed challenges also did much to keep the Champions at bay. also impressed with the intelligence of his football, never resorting to the hoofed clearance, and always passing the ball out from the back even when under pressure.

Behind them was fourth choice keeper . With a three-way tie for the Golden Boot, the Lag striker somewhat sulkily agreed to don the gloves, but once the game was under way he too gave everything to the cause. Sometimes prone to lapses in concentration between the sticks, 's handling was sure in the first half, and he pulled off a brilliant save with his feet despite diving the other way as a Super striker with a clear run on goal attempted to fire home from 10 yards.

With and battling hard to pose a counter-threat from the middle of the park, Supercala had some nervy moments at the back. 's visionary passing sent strikers and clear a number of times into the channels, and although few clear-cut chances resulted, Logica did force quite a few corners.

The home side were well worth their goalless parity at the interval, and the would-be Champions were looking increasingly subdued. Logica carried on in the same vein in the second half, and on the right flank began to provide more threat with a series of pacey and powerful runs. and continued to battle hard, and were blocking, heading and intercepting everything that Cala could muster. particularly impressed in his first Logica appearance, showing a calm head and an excellent reading of the game even in his unfamiliar role.

But just as Logica seemed to have done much of the hard work, Supercala struck out of the blue. A ball was lofted into the inside-left channel, and (who had replaced at the break) chased back pace for pace with the opposing left-winger. But as the pair reached the ball shoulder to shoulder, the Cala man quickly unleashed a shot with no back-lift from the angle of the box, for once catching keeper unawares. The low cross-shot was past him before he had dived, the ball trundling just inside the far post to the voluble relief of the visiting players and supporters [0-1].

The title-chasers had their tails up now as suddenly Logica began to feel the heat. But they still had to beat , and the stand-in keeper pulled off a number of brilliant saves to keep Logica in the hunt. The most spectacular came as the Logica rearguard appealed in vain for offside. The ball fell invitingly for the Cala striker unmarked some 12 yards out, and he ht the sweetest of half-volleys screaming towards the top corner. Somehow 's reflexes were quicker as he dived and deflected the ball over the bar with his outstretched left hand.

The Logica keeper followed this up with another full-length tip over the bar, this time diverting a close range header from a corner. When a Cala player was given time and space to shoot from the edge of the box, saved unorthodoxly but effectively with his feet. And a dangerous Cala free-kick saw him dive and hang onto a header from point-blank range.

Despite this rearguard action, Logica still looked threatening on the break. Their best chance came when was freed down the left touchline, and the Norwich man whipped in a superb low cross from the corner flag. The Cala keeper was tempted to come and collect but completely missed it. As the ball flashed across goal on the bounce, could only get his hand rather than his head to the ball, and the chance was gone.

Thus it was that the game was still balanced on a knife-edge as the clock ticked into the last fifteen minutes, Logica defending heroically and threatening on the counter-attack. But the outcome was finally put beyond doubt when for once and were drawn away from the centre, leaving a Cala midfielder with a clear run on goal. pushed the player wide, but an unerring finish from a tight angle sealed the title for Supercala [0-2].

gallantly offered to take the gloves, and Logica pushed for a consolation goal. A ball inside the full-back from the ex-keeper freed , but the forward's powerful shot was blocked by the Cala keeper who had done well to stay on his feet. (who had earlier provided his own champagne moment by nutmegging two Cala men one after the other straight from the kick-off) flashed a 25-yard free kick just inches over the bar, before a good passing move found feeding the unmarked out on the right. The forward's cross seemed perfect for , who had continued his run, until the faintest of touches off the head of a defender just deflected the ball away from the Logica man and straight into a relieved keeper's arms.

Logica's heroic efforts at the back in the sapping heat were starting to take their toll. With minutes left, Supercala's striker was able to reach the bye-line and scoop a cross over to pick out a colleague unmarked at the back stick. The simple header into an unguarded net crowned Cala as Champions [0-3].

But as the visiting dugout began to spray the champagne about on the final whistle, Logica could reflect on a gallant effort that for a long period had looked like spoiling the party. Supercala's manager was generous in victory, and praised Logica as one of the best teams Cala had faced all season, not only for their performance today, but also in drawing 1-1 back in October to become one of only three teams to take points off the Champions all season. This is just one of many indicators of a vastly improved season, and Logica can hopefully continue the upward trend and challenge for promotion next time out.