That this is very much going to be a season of rebuilding for the Logica club was highlighted by the fact that the starting line-up contained no fewer than five players making their competitive debuts. With at least two further big name signings expected to figure in the coming campaign, it is inevitably going to take some time to forge a coherent playing style as players both old and new get to know each other.

It is therefore quite promising that Logica produced a pretty good showing in their first Division Three outing. There was plenty of good combination play going forwards, whilst the defence, marshalled by the excellent , was equal for the most part to all that was thrown at them. All five debutantes impressed, and if Supremo can find the right balance between youth and experience, the team may well start reaping rich dividends sooner than most fans might reasonably expect.

This is not to get too carried away, and there were still reminders of the problems that beset the team last season. A glut of established stars were unavailable for this opening game of the season, and a bare XI was all that could be named in advance. But with one legendary ex-Supremo still unable to master the technology of the modern alarm clock, was forced into a tenth hour emergency taxi service to pick up the heroic , who was able to help out and perform an impressive first half cameo at right-back. turned up before the interval, and was able to take over in the second half, but one hopes that the practicalities of raising a team will become a little easier in the coming weeks.

Predictably, Logica started tentatively as players struggled to get to grips with their colleagues' names, let alone their playing strengths. Invictus took full advantage, and a simple move through the centre enabled their forward to side-foot past the exposed [0-1]. But soon had the bit between his teeth, and newcomer grew quickly in stature beside him. and were proving an alert and impassable pair of full-backs, and on this more solid foundation Logica were able to start playing a bit.

was busy on the left and provided a regular outlet up front, holding the ball up well and seemingly unfazed that his strike partner was having an uncharacteristic mare in the passing department. it was who carved out Logica's best chance of the half as a long ball from found its way through to him. Attacking the last defender, he shimmied effortlessly clear but was denied by a brave block from the advancing Invictus keeper. had done well to get forwards so quickly in support, but the rebound came to him at an awkward height, and his efforts to quickly readjust his feet volleyed the ball just inches the wrong side of the post.

was forced to flee Cindarella-like at the interval after an impressive first half at right back. Shrewd anticipation saw him intercept many times ahead of the slower thinking left winger, and he was aggressive in the challenge throughout. He also provided some excellent distribution, both long and short, and it is somewhat sad to reflect that on this evidence, the lad has clearly wasted the majority of his career playing in the wrong position!

It was another slow start after the interval, but Logica eventually found a second gear and went in genuine search of an equaliser. continued to provide great quality on the left as he had done earlier on the right, and was at the creative hub of Logica's best moves. He it was who glided away from his marker on the left and pulled back a dangerous low cross that had Invictus in all sorts of problems. A deflection took the ball through to loitering at the back stick, but an overly cautious attempt to control the ball wasted a valuable split second, enabling a defender to slide across and deflect his shot wide.

Logica's pressure forced a string of corners, and from one such they came within inches of equalising. arrowed another dead-ball into the six yard box and rose highest to head the ball towards the top corner. The Invictus defender on the post jumped desperately, and just managed to head the ball vertically upwards onto the underside of the bar. The ball cannoned back down onto his head, and, fortunately for the visitors, rebounded clear. straight away looped in another cross and again won the header, only to direct it inches wide of the other angle.

The home side still needed to be alert at the other end. As Logica began to tire some fouls were conceded in dangerous positions. One free-kick on the edge of the box was miscued through to a blue shirt, but somehow saved the resultant shot from point blank range. Soon the referee was pointing to the spot when mistimed his tackle in the box, but was once again the hero as he dived full-length to his right to palm away the low penalty.

As the game wore on Logica's lack of match fitness began to tell, and attacks became a little too laborious. Still, was unlucky to be ruled offside when played clear by , and was equally unfortunate when a neat turn beat the last defender but only resulted in the ball running too far ahead.

With just three minutes left on the clock, Invictus clinched the points. A break down the left flank seemed to have no immediate danger until the Invictus left winger opted to hump the ball goalwards first time from distance. was taken by surprise, and he was extremely unlucky that the ball arced perfectly over him and just under the bar [0-2]. If that was harsh on Logica's efforts, worse still was to follow, as a hopeful shot from the edge of the box was deflected by 's block past a wrong-footed [0-3]. There was even time for the Logica keeper to pull off a remarkable double save as the Invictus centre half danced his way into the box.

So it was the first five minutes and the last five minutes that had done for Logica, but the new look side could take heart from much of what went on in between times. The team really needs to get games under their collective belts, mainly to improve understanding and confidence, but also to get up to full match fitness as quickly as possible. In the meantime, this first game showed plenty of promise, even if the final scoreline was harsh on Logica, and on the brilliant in particular.