Sunday 4th October will be a date to remember for a number of the World's top international strikers who had been suffering goal droughts of serious proportions. Whilst there has been much pedalling of the usual cliches ("... as long as the team is winning ...", "at least I'm getting into the positions, I'd be worried if the chances weren't coming my way...."), all three goal-aces will be relieved to have finally hit the old onion-bag.

Denis Bergkamp (last competitive goal in July against Argentina in the World Cup) will be best pleased with a brace against a usually competent Newcastle defence, although the non-flying Dutchman did miss a penalty towards the end of the game. Pierluigi Casiraghi (last competitive goal in March against Inter Milan in Serie A) will also be mightily relieved, although some doubts may linger in his mind when he realises that his goal game against the Liverpool defence, and that it was Phil Babb who was supposed to be marking him at the time. To complete the triumvirate of legendary international goal-aces, Mark Abbott (last competitive goal in June against Holland in the World Cup) will be equally pleased to have opened his season's account against Battersea Town. A clever lob that went under the goalkeeper set the ball rolling, whilst a second sharply snaffled tap-in from two yards is often the kind of goal that give strikers the most satisfaction. The other four chances that Abbott squandered can be happily overlooked (c.f. cliche 2 above) as Logica romped home to a 5-2 victory to secure two more vital points.

Despite this unusual scoring feat, it was not Abbott but Richard Scholes who stole a unanimous Man-of-the-Match verdict. A constant threat down the left-wing, Scholes had already put in a number of dangerous crosses by the time he volleyed a spectacular opening goal from a corner on the half-hour. In the second half he continued to run amok with some devastating runs down the left. In one of these he beat two defenders before squaring a low cross for Abbott's second. He then repeated the process ten minutes later, this time rounding the keeper before squaring to an unmarked Lambert for Logica's fourth. Substitute Theo Asampong coolly slotted home the fifth after Lambert had robbed an overly casual defender.

But as ever, Brian, it was a good team performance, and everyone played their part. Special mention should go to Manlio Trovato who won everything in the last 15 minutes, when Logica began to tire and Battersea were able to attack more. Hats off also to Fleming the martyred Supremo who did his stint in goal. A couple of excellent saves maintained Logica's psychological advantage at crucial times, and he was also unlucky with the second goal, which was scored from a rebound after he'd made a brilliant stop from a header.

Opinions varied as to the reason for our success on Sunday. One theory was that reverting to a 4-4-2 made the difference. Another impressive feature was Logica competing for everything, and showing some well-channelled aggression for a change. Toman's performance made Le Saux look like a right soft touch, whilst even Spence got a lecture from the referee for bad-mouthing. The other theory was that our opponents were, in fact, shit. I think it's fair to say that all three of these factors contributed towards a comprehensive victory.

Two wins already, as many as we secured in each of the last two seasons, and it's only the first weekend in October!