Work hard, play hard

Originally scheduled as an away match, Lazio's pitch was unplayable so this game was switched to the Hill. In our earlier meeting with Lazio we were played off the park and we were determined to put up a better performance this time.

The first half was end to end with Lazio playing the better football but not creating any clear cut chances. The closest they came was a shot from distance which clipped the top of the crossbar. Balally settled after soaking up the early pressure and looked to play ball out wide at every opportunity. The first goal came after a great through ball put Diego 1-on-1 with the keeper. He chipped the keeper but the ball looked like it was going wide. Luckily for him he kept going and was there to nick it in before the defender could get back to clear.

Balally got a second at the end of the first half. A poor corner kick was cleared easily by Lazio but it was whipped straight back in. Mick rose at the back post and put the ball back across for Diego to nip in with a great header out of the keeper's reach. Two nil at half time.

As we expected, Lazio came flying out of the blocks in the second half and put us under a lot of pressure. Within about 15 minutes they scored. The ball was crossed in, Sammer got a touch but straight into the striker's path. Running towards the byline Marty thought he would cut it back but instead he hammered it straight into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

It was definite backs to the wall stuff for the next 10 minutes or so but Lazio failed to capitalise on their domination of possession. In fact it was Balally who came closest to scoring when Diego was 1-on-1 with the keeper again. Unfortunately the keeper got a touch to the attempted lob and denied him is hat-trick.

Lazio had a goal disallowed and rightfully so. The ball was kicked out of Marty's hand while he bounced the ball. According to FIFA rules the goalkeeper is in control of the ball while in the act of bouncing it and any attempt to tackle the keeper is seen as dangerous play or impeding the goalie from releasing the ball. The ref was spot on and to be honest, he is by far the best ref we've had this year. 

Balally had a couple of other half chances from corners. Mick won two great headers. One was cleared off the line and another was headed just over. The game finished 2-1 and Balally got the 3 points. A hard fought win but ultimately deserved across the 90 minutes for the work rate and trying to play football at every attempt despite the pitch cutting up.

Man of the match: Diego

Goals: Diego (2)