Lazio started with a bang, finding themselves 1-0 up inside the opening 5 minutes. The ball fell to Blake on the edge of the LPR box and he absolutely rifled the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Great goal, 1-0 Lazio.

Lazio were playing with confidence and nearly doubled their lead shortly after when Blake slotted in Samuel down down the left channel. Samuel did well to fire a shot first time past the advancing LPR keeper and was unlucky to see his effort go inches wide.

The game developed into an even affair with both teams looking to play football on what was a hard and bobbly surface, not helped by a strong wind going across the pitch.

The Lazio back four were dealing well with a lot of awkward balls coming there way, in particular the centre back pairing of Caelan and Tycho, who both made countless blocks and clearances. LPR’s best chance came when a well hit shot from the left edge of the box looked set for the bottom right corner of the net but Chris got down low with a great diving stop.

As we approached halftime Lazio created more chances of their own. The best of the bunch came when Luke latched onto a ball on the left hand side, managed to nudge the ball away from the LPR keeper and then did well to knock the ball across the face of the goal. Samuel was there but so was an LPR defender who managed to block the effort and get the ball away.

1-0 Lazio as we headed into halftime, probably a fair reflection of the first half.

The second half opened up more and both teams started to get a lot of chances.

Lazio were seeking that two goal cushion and should have got it. As well as Josh, Jelani and Kiro coming close, the Lazio back four were also trying to get in on the act. Right back Marcel fired in a long range effort that looped narrowly over. Left back Jake then did the same from the other side. And after a scramble in the box from a corner, centre back Caelan fired just over.

Having seen the chances come and go, Lazio were then punished as LPR grabbed an equaliser mid way through the half. In truth there were warning signs. LPR had fired a few chances wide or over and Blake had also made a great goal line headed clearance from a free kick swung in. When the goal did come it was from LPR’s ever dangerous number 13 who cut into the box, glided past a few players and finished into the corner of the net. 1-1.

Lazio reacted well to the goal and got back on the front foot quickly. Jelani brought a good save from the LPR keeper from a free kick. Moments later though there was nothing the LPR keeper could do to stop Lazio going back in front. Noah won the ball in midfield, drove forward and hit an absolute screamer from 25 yards out that flew into the top left hand corner of the net. A unstoppable hit, 2-1 Lazio.

With around 10 to 15 minutes to go still Lazio went looking for a third goal to seal the deal. Josh thought he’d got it when firing in a shot from close range but was denied by another good save from the LPR keeper. Blake came close from a driving run and there were other good positions that Lazio didn’t take advantage of. In the end, with a few minutes to go, it was Joe that showed everyone how it was done. As play developed down the right flank, playing at left midfield Joe pushed into a great position on the edge of the LPR box. Kiro played a lovely cross in that bounced up perfectly for Joe to hit first time with his right foot, with the resulting effort looping over the keeper and into the top right corner of the net. 3-1 Lazio.

LPR did pull a goal back with pretty much the last kick of the game, so at the final whistle 3-2 was the final score.

Well played to both teams today, in what was an entertaining local derby.

As a team Lazio battled hard for the win today and really played for each other. The performance was capped off by 3 quality strikes for our goals and you’ll go a long way this weekend to see 3 better goals in a game.

This week’s Gartec Player of the Match was split. Tycho for another rock solid display at centre back and Blake for another all action display in the heart of the midfield. Good work guys.

Good work also from Ben who ran the line for us today, thanks as always.