Another competitive performance from Latini but with a few self destruct buttons lerking close by. All in all it was another solid and professional performance with some good football and a lot of desire and commitment from the first minutes to the last from the entire Latini squad. 

We started well and passed the ball around comfortably and created chances going forward. A goal by Olive Magaud set the start for a good afternoon for our leading goal scorer. The second slightly more fortunate, a miskicked cross by Rob Price that beat the Lions keeper at the far post. 2-0 Latini slightly fortunate 2nd goal but nonetheless deserved as we created chances and overall looked in control of the game. Lions hit back just before half time a header from a corner heading towards goal and in to the arms of our keeper Cuong, but Matteo tried to clear unfortunately miskicked and sliced the ball into the back of the net 2-1 game on. 

We were happy with our first half performance, generally controlling the pace of the game, the passes, possession and limiting Lions to sporadic attacks that our defence tended to deal with. 

2nd half Latini started with purpose once again, a throw-in in our own half Daniele controlled turned past him man and chipped the ball over the Lions defence, Olive Magaud said thank you and calmly finished to make it 3-1 within a few minutes of the restart. It got even better another quick attack allowing Magaud to complete his hatrick, with his left foot I believe. The second half was a very solid performance from Latini, controlling the play, dominating the midfield and really limiting Lions to very few attacks and no real clear chances or open shots, the best being a 40 yard half volley that Cuong had clear over the cross bar. On the other side we created a number of good goal scoring opportunities and with a little more composure maybe could have added a few more. Daniele had a beautiful volley come back off the post. 

In the end though a slightly strange decision that may cost us severely in the coming games. Corner for Lions as the lineman flags and advises the referee that our keeper punched a Lions player. The ref shows a red card to our keeper and awards a penalty to Lions. Our keeper said a player pushed him and he pushed back, no punching and no violent conduct. It seems a little odd that Cuong would hit another player in particular without being provoked (ie no card shown to the Lions player) and that there was no commotion, retaliation in the box, no injured player after being hit, considering someone just got punched...it seems a little odd. Nonetheless penalty and subsequently 4-2 with a few minutes remaining and Latini saw out the game. 

Overall a very good performance from Latini players who showed commitment and desire to win the game. Standout performances from Benji, Yann, Daniele, Darren and Gaetan back on the field but my man of the match has to go to Olive Magaud for his hatrick and great form on the field and in front of goal. 

Referee – had a decent game, not considering the red card. 

Thanks to Lions for a good and competitive game, overall physical but fair and played in the right spirit. Good luck for the remainder.