This afternoon U15 Lazio made the trip across town to face LPR Allstars in a top of the table clash, with first playing second as things stood at the start of the day.

Lazio started brightly enough but found themselves behind within 10 minutes when LPR were correctly awarded a penalty which they duly converted to take an early 1-0 lead. The early goal visibly lifted LPR and they started to have the better of things, looking dangerous with long balls over the top for their pacey forwards to latch onto. By the mid-point of the half things had got worse for Lazio as LPR doubled their lead with a scrappy goal from a corner.

Lazio were struggling to get too much going in an attacking sense. No clear cut chances came their way and the best they had to show were a couple of long range efforts from Harry and a volley from Blake which went just over. As we approached half time things could have got worse for Lazio as it was LPR that had more chances, one of which came from a corner where Joe rescued the day with a fantastic header off the line to keep the deficit at 2 heading into half time.

The second half started with a period of pressure from LPR. Chris, in goal for Lazio today, was called into action with a few smart saves although in general the Lazio backline held firm with some fantastic blocks, tackles and clearances to keep the team in the game.

As the half progressed it was Lazio that started to enjoy more play in the opposition half and this positivity was rewarded with the goal they desperately needed to get back into things. After winning a free kick 25 yards from goal, Blake decided to take a pop and the ball ended up in the back of the net. The LPR keeper will feel he should have done better, nevertheless it was the break Lazio needed. 2-1, game on.

The last 20 minutes were frenetic, with both teams looking for that all important next goal. There had certainly been a momentum shift with Lazio now looking like the team with the bit between their teeth. Promising situations came and went but nothing concrete that could be converted. As we reached the last 5 minutes Lazio won a corner that Josh Green ran over to take while the box loaded up with the big guns. Josh swung in a high curling corner to the back post which dropped perfectly into the net without anyone else getting a touch on it. Lazio players celebrated wildly, 2-2, game well and truly on.

Both teams will feel they could and maybe should have won it in the closing stages. The game was 100mph with both teams defending for their lives and then looking to counter. For Lazio, their best chance to snatch victory came when Josh Green burst away down the right flank and then looked to play a square ball to Sher who was bursting into the box. Unfortunately an LPR defender just manged to intercept the pass to deny Lazio that last chance of glory. The final whistle came shortly after, 2-2 the final score.

Well played to the boys today. By no means our best performance of the season but certainly one of the most spirited. We kept ourselves in the game, kept believing and in the end deserved our share of the spoils.

Today’s Gartec Player of the Match was a unanimous choice by the coaches. Cyril slotted in at full back today and played like a man possessed, pressing, tackling and driving forward when he could. Once again, nice one Cyril.

Tony was off camara duty today and so to make sure he didn’t get bored everyone kindly let him run the line for us, you’re welcome Tony.