With a couple of call offs in recent weeks this was the first game of the New Year for Lazio and it nearly got off to the worst possible start as Chris was called into action inside 30 seconds to make a stop. However, Lazio soon found their feet and quickly grew into the game with some good passages of play. Lazio were rewarded for their positivity after 10 minutes when they opened the scoring with a great goal. Blake picked the ball up in the middle of the pitch and hit a lovely cross field pass to release Alfie down the left wing. Alfie cut inside onto his right foot and hit a low curling effort from the right edge of the box. The Crawley Green keeper got down well to make a save but could only push the ball into Daniel’s path who made no mistake smashing the ball home for a debut goal. 1-0 Lazio.

Unfortunately Lazio couldn’t capitalise on this good start as they gave away an equaliser within a minute following a defensive mix up. A few minutes later Lazio were guilty of giving another poor goal away and so, having started the game well, suddenly found themselves 2-1 down after 15 minutes.

Lazio needed to regroup, which is what they did for next 10 minutes or so. The central midfield of Kingy, Adam, Blake and then later Jelani worked extremely hard, and although Crawley Green had more of the ball in this period their chances were limited.

As we moved to the final stages of the half it was Lazio that came firmly back into the game. A lovely ball from Jelani sent Daniel racing down the right wing. His cross was only half cleared and fell to Kiro who tried his luck from 25 yards out, narrowly looping over. Next to come close with a long range effort was Blake. He had a pop at goal direct from a free kick around 30 yards out which cannoned back off the cross bar. A flurry of corners followed before the break for Lazio but the ball just didn’t quite fall their way to find an equaliser.

2-1 to Crawley Green at HT.

Lazio started the second half brightly but it was Crawley Green that grabbed the next goal of the game with a header from a very well taken corner. However, Lazio’s heads didn’t drop and they soon got themselves back in the game. Good work from Josh down the right flank saw him get a dangerous ball into box, which Blake nudged onto Alfie, who in turn slammed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 3-2.

The game was now in the balance and both teams had their chances.

Crawley Green had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for a foul on Chris. They then again thought they’d scored as their big striker went round Chris and had the goal at his mercy but Caelan came sliding in from a different county to make an amazing goal saving tackle and clearance. More tackles, blocks and clearances followed from Caelan and also Oscar, Joe, Abdul and Kiro who made up the back line, as Lazio kept Crawley Green at bay.

At the other end Lazio continued to look dangerous and also had their chances. Josh blazed one over from a tight angle, Blake had a good effort saved by the keeper, while Daniel went on a great run into the box and had half a shout for a penalty as the tackles came in flying in.

As we moved into the last 10 minutes and Lazio were just starting to think about throwing caution to the wind, the game was effectively settled when Crawley Green grabbed their fourth goal. Poor marking from Lazio allowed a free header in the box and Crawley Green’s big striker made no mistake with this one.

Crawley Green added a fifth goal late on which meant that what had felt like an even contest for much of the match ended in a 5-2 loss for Lazio.

Well played to Lazio today. The boys competed throughout and were in the game right up until the last 10 minutes. On another day we might have got something from the game but regardless of the result it was a committed performance from all.

Lots of contenders for the Gartec Player of the match today. Notable mentions to Daniel who was excellent on his debut and Blake who really drove the team on from midfield. But Caelan got the nod today for several outstanding tackles, a real rock at the back for us, well done Caelan.

A couple of rocks running the line for us this week too, Steve and Andre, big thanks to both.