U15 Lazio welcomed Flitwick Eagles Golds to Cedars this afternoon knowing they were in for a tough game against the team who sat top of the table at the start of play.

Lazio had a dream start to the game, taking the lead inside the opening two minutes. Blake drove into the penalty box and found himself through on goal. The Flitwick keeper did well to smother Blake’s effort but the ball stayed alive and fell to Theo on the left hand side of the 6 yard box. From a tight angle Theo fired a low shot across the keeper and into the far corner. 1-0 Lazio.

Lazio were visibly lifted by the early goal and dominated the game in the early stages. The midfield three of Cyril, Kingy and Blake were winning everything and controlling play. Some great passing moves followed, with the ball being moved quickly from one side to the other then down the flanks. The full backs were combining nicely with the wingers in front of them and plenty of chances were coming Lazio’s way.

Mid-way through the half the pressure finally told when Lazio double their lead through centre forward for the day Thomas. The ball got played into Thomas just outside the Flitwick box and he took a shot on which flew low into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. 2-0 Lazio.

Flitwick came more into the game as the half progressed, but it was still Lazio that had more of the play and the better chances. Blake, Harry and Theo were all left wondering how they didn’t add a third goal for Lazio. However, as the half-time whistle went, it was certainly Lazio that came in the happier being 2 goals to the good.

The second half started with a bang as Flitwick cannoned a shot back off the crossbar in the opening minutes. With a change of formation and nothing to lose, it was clear that Flitwick had come out for the second half in a different frame of mind.

Flitwick were camped in the Lazio half of the pitch for the opening 20 minutes or so. The Lazio back four were outstanding. The two centre backs in particular, Abdul and Tycho, working overtime to keep Flitwick at bay. Kingy and Cyril too in midfield continued to break up play at a relentless rate. Chances did come along for Flitwick but a combination of wasteful finishing and a couple of great saves from Chris kept the scoreline as it was.

As the clock continued to tick the next goal in the game became huge - if Flitwick grabbed one back it was game on but if Lazio could get it that should be enough. Lazio had already squandered a few good openings but with 15 minutes to go their best chance of the half came along. A driving run down the left-hand side of the box by Blake saw him play a great ball across the face of the goal which Theo looked set to meet at the back post but, agonisingly, he just couldn’t quite make up the ground to get a touch – think Gazza’s chance in the Euro 96 semi-final for those with a long enough memory.

As the minutes ticked by Lazio continued to hold firm and break on the counter. Even under pressure there were some fantastic combinations of passing to work the ball forward, in particular one move involving Joe, Harry, Kingy and Blake which we ended up with Harry streaking away down the left-hand flank. However, as we moved into the dying embers of the game it was time for a more pragmatic approach. Blake broke forward yet again but this time instead of going for goal he headed for the corner, winning a foul by the corner flag to all but seal the game. There was still time for some comedy, as Thomas got the ball from the free kick and headed back to the corner, where it took about 4 Flitwick players to finally dispossess him.

The final whistle came shortly after to give Lazio a hard fought 2-0 win.

Outstanding performance from all of the boys today against very strong opposition. We showed both sides of our game, moving the ball really well and creating plenty of chances but also digging in to defend as a team when we had to do.

There were countless good performances today but the Gartec Player of the Match went to Cyril for an all energy display in central midfield, time and again winning the ball back for us and then playing out. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, nice one Cyril.

Nice one also to our lino for the day, Dave K, much appreciated.