From top to bottom. Morganite, without a win all season and anchored pretty securely at the bottom of the league along with Magdalena, provided Logica with their first opposition for 1995. It was imperative, given the club's gradual slide down the table since October, that Logica got back into winning ways and collected two much needed points. To this end, Captain Clarke dusted down the revolutionary new 4-4-2 formation with the aim of adding a little more weight to Logica's attacking potential.

There was no mention of New Year's resolutions prior to the game, but it was clear that Mr Lambert had not resolved to improve his punctuality for 1995. Cutting it finer than ever, he emerged from the dressing room just as the game was about to kick off. Logica began well and it soon became clear that Morganite were not in their current predicament through bad fortune alone. Their defence must certainly have made some telling contributions. Logica broke through an appalling offside trap more or less at will and it was only erratic finishing kept Logica from running away with the game at the outset. To give an idea, it was Sidaway who first sprung the offside trap to open up a clear run at goal. The chance though came too early in the game for the rusty hot-shot and a less than convincing shot rolled wide. Next it was Abbott's turn to show his rustiness. A good move down the left again released Sidaway who this time showed excellent vision to pull the ball back to the out-of-form goal ace. A lack of confidence was evident as a first time swing at the ball sent it looping high and wide.

Logica playing without a Cultured-Libero and Morganite's persistent attempt to play an offside game compressed much of the play into the middle third of the field in the good old English style. In this situation, Martin Johnson, playing only his second game for the club, excelled himself. The sturdy Teessider added some much needed aggression to the midfield, won a number of important tackles, and proved impossible to shake off the ball once he had gained possession (a trait which gradually irritated the opposition midfielders more and more). After a typical piece of congested midfield chaos, Woolhouse found himself with possession and a split-second to look up. A low ball easily opened up the Morganite back line, and who else but Lambert, with a run as late as his earlier one from the dressing room, latched onto it and headed goalwards. His low shot was well saved, but Lambert reacted quickly to volley home the rebound.

Despite this brisk start, Logica seemed determined to make a game of it. The novelty of only four at the back seemed to cause confusion and the visitors looked particularly vulnerable to any ball over the top for the quick Morganite attackers to run on to. Chances began to fall to Morganite by this route, one was blasted sadly wide and another from which Wildsmith made a good low save. Luckily there was always the Morganite offside trap to provide some welcome relief. In an almost exact repeat of the first goal, Johnson steered a ball through again for Lambert, who this time needed no second chance as he looped a perfect left foot shot into the top left-hand corner for a 2-0 lead.

Logica's defence had chanced their arm already and it was no surprise when Morganite did pull a goal back, nor in the manner in which it arrived. A sweeper-less Logica were again bamboozled by a long ball over the top, and this time the Morganite forward made no mistake with a low shot that Wildsmith got a foot to, but could not keep out.

Chances were being created at either end as each defence took it in turn to be breached. Lambert was robbed of a hat-trick when he was once more sent clear only to have his shot saved (the Morganite keeper finally benefiting from the immense amount of practice he had had at one-on- ones). But a third was not long in coming. A melee on the half-way line was terminated by Hatton stabbing a short ball into the space in the Morganite half. The home-side defenders seemed surprised by this as they stood and watched Abbott run clear and side-foot past the keeper to restore the two goal advantage.

The remainder of the half saw Morganite create a series of chances. Another ball through the defence saw the unfortunate Millar slip but fortunately saw the Morganite striker blast over the bar. Logica's main problem seemed to come from a lack of organisation which usually emanates from a patrolling Libero. The Morganite attackers pulled Logica defenders out of position and the supposed attacking boost of a four man midfield was lost as Woolhouse and Johnson spent most of their time in the last line. Another clear run at goal and shot by the best of the Morganite forwards brought a miraculous save from Wildsmith when a goal seemed certain. Other chances were spurned by Morganite (this was certainly a treat for the neutrals) before finally the inevitable goal came just before half-time. A throw-in on the left and a quick one-two gave the Morganite left-back room to cross. Logica defenders froze as one Morganite forward swung and missed but a second just got a toe to the ball before the advancing Wildsmith could pounce, and the score was back to 3-2.

Action was needed at half-time and Logica reverted to their more cautious 3-5-2 formation with Hatton taking on the responsibility of organising the resistance. The difference was enormous as Logica became a lot tighter at the back with Hatton organising superbly and far fewer chances coming Morganite's way. The midfield played their part, tracking back to mark, and also getting forward to prompt attacks. An example of this was Logica's fourth goal. Morganite failed to break down the Logica defences and Woolhouse brought the ball clear. A good early pass found Johnson in space and he was able to advance before slipping a perfect ball forward. Abbott ran diagonally on to this pass and this time beat the keeper at his near post with the outside of his boot.

An equally good opportunity swiftly followed. Abbott broke down the left before pulling the ball back to the supporting Johnson. A low cross into the box allowed Sidaway to turn cleverly and pull a low pass back across the penalty area. The ball was just too far behind Woolhouse but Moore was coming in at the far post. He controlled the ball well but unfortunately shot wide.

As the half wore on Logica began to tire and Morganite began to create a few chances. Logica were especially lucky on two occasions when first a vicious shot and then a header from a corner cannoned back off the bar. Generally though Logica's defence was a revelation and their stranglehold began to frustrate Morganite. The merciless succession of tackles started to provoke Morganite into venting their frustration in a less than polite manner. One player ran thirty yards to punch Sidaway but missed. Johnson was a popular target due to his strong tackling. Millar also ended up in a bit of a roll on the ground after a perfectly fair sliding tackle resulted in the Morganite player trying to stamp on him, at which point the two captains were called together to calm things down. Even the ball burst in the high-pressure atmosphere. With all this going on, it was somewhat farcical the way Woolhouse picked up his second booking in two months which means a four match suspension. The crime of this unforgiving hard-man was to ask "Are you watching, referee?".

Logica had two last ditch chances to increase the margin of their victory and offer hat-tricks to both scorers. Lambert was once more put clear but an ankle injury allowed the defence to get back in time. Shortly afterwards, a long through ball tempted the keeper from his area and into making a complete hash of his clearance. The ball fell to Abbott who had the goal at his mercy. The well-practised lob was called into action, but although the ball cleared the defender, it rolled just wide. Despite these missed opportunities, Logica were just pleased to have won a game they couldn't afford to lose and could now look ahead with a little more optimism at the hard months ahead.