The stakes could hardly have been higher. Repeat our home win against Sloane and we could still go on to nick the title.
But the signs were all pointing towards a street called Maybe Not This Time.
It wasn't that we were missing regulars through injury, suspension and TV appearances: the boys who took to the pitch today played with heart and discipline (let it be noted we were in fact better behaved than the West Londoners). And it wasn't just that a trip to that part of the capital is a bit like entering another world. A world where some people have lots more money than sense and they seem to spend most of it on resurfacing perfectly smooth road surfaces. Oh that must be for the big fat cars. It wasn't just that Sloane on the day fielded a side that were bigger in every position than us: that didn't stop our man of the match Tom glancing in with his head. Nor was it just that they executed route 1 more effectively (twice), and scored from a header and a pen - rather than dazzle the watching wounded with Spanish tic tac football. And a hard bouncy pitch wasn't entirely to blame.
No, what really undid the Hackney crew was the blue shirts. Unable to track down the prime-number-only yellow strip for the one game we actually needed it, we took to the pitch in something distinctly Chelsea. So what do you expect?
With this result, Carol Vorderman informs me, Sloane - worthy winners on the day- move into an unassailable position. Barring declaring themselves bankrupt (financially - morally doesn't seem to count any more) and being docked points, they take the title. Congratulations Sloane- we look forward to wresting it from you next season.
Meanwhile Reccy regroup for the final three games - all postponements from earlier in the season - with the aim of gaining maximum points and finding the blessed yellow shirts.
Team: Joe Grubb, Joe Haley, Jimmie Lloyd, Dan Hare, Tomas Winter (1), Paul Cowie, Joao Spinola, Mario Pisano, Liam Greenaway, Ben Chambers, Chris Read, Gordon Bennett, Aaron Gayle.