The game started relatively evenly. LPR had the first attempt on goal but it was Lazio that had two good chances in the opening 10 minutes, first Chris headed over from a corner then Blake pulled a volley just wide of the far post.

As the game settled down Lazio were doing their best to get the ball down and play but it wasn’t easy on a surface that was very churned up in places. Although Lazio were having the better of the play they only had a couple of decent long-range attempts from Blake to show for their efforts and after around 20 minutes it was actually LPR that should have taken the lead when their forward put a free header narrowly over the bar. Five minutes later it was Lazio’s turn to rue a miss from a free header, when Theo just couldn’t quite keep his effort down with the goal at his mercy. As the half wore on Lazio continued to press and looked the more likely team to find the opening goal. Charlie had a couple of good opportunities, latching onto through balls from Theo and then Harry, but he wasn’t quite able to find a finish.

Five minutes from half-time the breakthrough finally came for Lazio and it was a goal well worth waiting for. The ball started at Lazio’s left back position with Joe making a good interception and feeding the ball down the line to Harry. Harry made a strong run down the channel before cutting in and finding Theo, who in turn looked up and fed the ball to Josh Green on the right hand side of the box. The ball took a nick off a defender on the way and fell perfectly for Josh to hit a first time effort which flew across the keeper into the bottom left corner of the net. Lovely move and great finish, 1-0 Lazio.

In the run up to halftime LPR had a couple of openings to get back in it. Firstly Joe came over from left back to make a good covering tackle as an LPR forward looked to be through, then moments later an audacious overhead kick attempt from an LPR midfielder seemed to be looping in until Thomas tipped it over the bar. Thomas then made a great catch from the resulting corner to make sure that Lazio saw out the half and took a deserved 1-0 lead in at halftime.

LPR started the second half well and applied some early pressure. However, 5 minutes into the half Lazio doubled their lead from the penalty spot. Charlie, who had slotted in at left back for the second half, swung in a deep cross from the left. Sher came in off the right wing to pick up the ball and as he knocked it to the side of the oncoming LPR keeper he was bundled over by the keeper. The ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Blake stepped up to take the pen and smashed it home to give Lazio a 2-0 lead.

Lazio had a flurry of chances over the next 10 minutes or so. Charlie nearly scored after a making a surging run forward and picking up a ball from left midfielder Abdul but the LPR keeper stood up well. Josh Goble, Sher and Blake all had long range efforts before Josh Green had the best chance of the lot as he burst through on goal down the right hand channel but he wasn’t able to settle himself and get a clean shot away.

For the remainder of the half Lazio’s work rate was outstanding and they set themselves up very well to see the game out. The back four of Oscar, Tycho, Chris and Charlie were very solid, Tycho needed his pace to make a couple of covering challenges but by and large the boys at the back were winning everything and making non-stop clearances. Ahead of this Kingy had come back on after picking up a knock earlier in the game and slotted back into central midfield alongside Josh Goble, together winning all the bits and pieces. LPR’s efforts were mainly restricted to long range shots, although Thomas did very well with a couple that took horrible bounces right in front of him.

With just over 10 minutes to go Theo narrowly missed connecting with a cross from Blake. However, Lazio didn’t have to wait much longer for that third and decisive goal, which came moments later and was another belter. Josh Green picked up a loose ball on the half way line then powered down the right wing. Blake made a great run into the box and Josh found him with a perfect cross which Blake met with a powerful downward header into the bottom right corner of the net. 3-0 Lazio, time to make travel arrangements for the final.

The remaining minutes seemed to last an age, lots of fouls and free kicks at both ends of the pitch. For Lazio, Blake hit a good effort from a free kick which the LPR keeper saved and nearly rebounded for Philip to tap home a fourth but the ball didn’t quite carry to him. At the other end more good defending meant the back line got the clean sheet they deserved.

Eventually the final whistle came, 3-0 the final score.

Well done to the whole Lazio squad. The boys have been superb all season, this is a great achievement for them and the club and we can now look forward to a great day at the County Cup Final on 26 April.