Despite holidaying at his exotic Norfolk retreat, was still able to mastermind a cleverly conceived subterfuge that increases Logica's chances of winning some silverware this summer.

To many packed into the Stade on Sunday, the conclusive 5-0 defeat to Division One giants Croydon Red Star in the first round proper of the Ron Halfacre Challenge Trophy, whilst a harsh reflection on Logica's efforts, meant only one thing – a Cup exit. Therefore 's reaction on learning of the result at his East Anglian hideaway may seem a tad strange. "We're going to win the Cup!" exclaimed the unperturbed Logica manager.

It transpires that Logica's first round exit sees them drop into the financial safety net provided by the Ron Le Beau Challenge Trophy, along with all those other first, second and third division sides who lost on Sunday – something akin to the UEFA Cup for Champions League rejects. Consequently was not overly upset to find Logica switching Ron's at the first hurdle.

There was no hint that Logica set out to lose, and vehemently denied that by deliberately leaving his charges in the somewhat less than safe hands of Supremette, , he had shrewdly and knowingly almost guaranteed defeat. "We would never deliberately set out to lose," protested the Logica gaffer, "we are more than capable of doing that inadvertently!"

But the other results in the First Round of the big Ron Cup tended to support pragmatic view that we have a better chance of lifting the little Le Beau. Of the 12 First Division sides, 8 won their ties, 2 lost to First Division opponents, 1 (Notting Hill) lost via a match award, leaving just bottom side Notting Dale to lose to lower league opponents. Elsewhere both Bald Eagles and Atlas Lions won their ties, although Broadway went out 3-2 to Third Division Clapham Rovers after extra time. "It would be just our luck if we drew them (Broadway) in the first round of the Ron Le Beau," mused , rolling his eyes heavenwards towards the Football Gods in seductive fashion.

In any event, Logica needed a win for other reasons. After regaining their confidence via the solid 3-1 vanquishing of the Dragons last week, the team needed to keep the momentum going with at least a good showing against the team promoted from Division Two in May. On the face of it, then, 5-0 was not quite what the psychological doctor ordered. But the reality was that this emphatic scoreline was more than a little unfair. Few could argue that Red Star were not deserving winners, but their finishing was ruthless whilst Logica's spells of good play failed to trouble the scorer.

Logica did not start well, and looked slow and static despite the lessons of the previous week, when an alert and focused team grabbed the initiative from the Dragons early doors. But the home side were just starting to ease themselves into the groove when Croydon were handed the lead in controversial fashion. There seemed little danger as shepherded Star's left-winger towards the touchline. But an eager attempt to poke the ball out of play resulted in the merest physical contact, and there was an audible gasp around the Stade when the pernickety referee immediately pointed to the spot. , playing his first game for over a year, was sent the wrong way, and Logica now faced an uphill struggle [0-1]

The man in black nearly levelled the playing field when he awarded Logica an indirect free-kick in the penalty area for some unfathomable offence by the Red Star keeper committed when clearing the ball. But the lay-off forced to change his run-up onto the unfavoured left foot, and the shot was easily blocked by the quickly advancing defenders. Shortly afterwards, Logica won a free-kick 25 yards from goal, but ' low drive was again blocked by the wall.

Croydon were proving an excellent side, able to find space all over the field and move the ball quickly. Logica were caught out when they surrendered possession inside the opposition half, and Red Star's left winger was again fed promptly. A blistering burst left Logica short on covering numbers, and when the ball was pulled back, two Croydon attackers were queuing up unmarked. The first time strike by the forward at the front of the queue gave no chance [0-2].

As the interval approached Logica responded with some co-ordinated attacking threat. turned his marker from a throw-in and fired inches over the bar from the edge of the box. The same player then put his strike partner in the clear with a neatly cushioned flick, but as the keeper advanced poked his effort just the wrong side of the far post.

The home players came out after the break determined to continue the pressure, but Croydon struck quickly and lethally with a superb third goal that effectively killed the tie. A swift passing move down the right culminated in a cross that was headed like a bullet into the top right-hand corner from 10 yards out. It was like a proper goal off the telly [0-3].

Logica were playing for pride now, and roused themselves to fashion some good moves which had the First Division side pinned back in their own half. and the returning in particular strove to keep possession and work some good openings. Both and then made in-roads down the right-flank only to find the danger area devoid of yellow shirts when they delivered their crosses. But Logica's best opportunity of the second half came when drifted out to the left, received a neat pass, and flicked the ball adroitly past his marker. The ageing striker curled a pin-point pass behind the last defender to the galloping . But the big number nine's first touch failed him for once, and the chance was gone.

A fourth goal for Red Star was cruel on Logica. A hopeful high punt into the box found under little pressure, but a vicious shaft of autumnal sunshine proved lethal, and the leaping and bedazzled Logica keeper ended up palming the ball into his own net [0-4].

and joined the fray, and was given a romp up front. picked out a great run by the latter in the inside-left channel, but 's clever back-heeled flick inside was just slightly too far in front of the supporting , and the Red Star keeper was relieved to dive on the ball. Logica continued to entertain the fans inside the Stade d'Ilea. embarked on a mazy dribble across his own penalty area, which unnerved sufficiently for the calling keeper to race out and hoof clear off the substitute's toe. The two Logica players collided and ended up in a somewhat inelegant heap on the ground.

was soon left grounded and helpless once more when Croydon added a late fifth. There seemed little danger as the Red Star substitute was shadowed some 25 yards from goal. But the midfielder somehow worked a smidgen of space out of thin air, and fired the most precise low drive just inside the post [0-5]. This strike completed a ruthless lesson in finishing, and the final whistle found the Logica players somewhat bewildered at the final scoreline. We can only hope that little Ron provides them with a silver lining.