Overall we were a little unlucky as we had the chances to get a result from the game but in the end we were just not good enough on the day. It is often the little things that make the difference. In hindsight we just weren’t focused and committed enough to get the win on the day. Hotspurs on the other hand were fairly clinical in their finishing. 

The game started off well enough for us, we kept possession without really creating any clear chances, a few nice runs down the wing and through the centre but the final ball (shot, pass) were slightly off. Than we decided to make it more competitive by gifting Hotspurs an easy goal. Our keeper decided to through a bouncing ball on a hard surface to our left back at the edge of the box. Raffa was caught in two minds whether to control or clear the ball in the end the Hotspurs winger said thank you, picked up the ball and squared it to Esad for the easiest of goals. However this gave us the kick we needed and we started to control the game better and Benji scored a great goal with his left foot from outside the box. 

Than a few minutes of madness which resulted in 2 very harsh red cards, unfortunately one of them for our striker Olive, for what I am still not sure. Tempers were heating up and the ref decided that every tackle deserved a yellow at least 4 yellow cards in the following 5 min were given to both sides that seemed unnecessary to the say the least. Hotspurs scored their 2nd from a very controversial free kick - 2:1 to Hotspurs at half time. 

2nd half Latini came out guns blazing, we created several chances hitting the cross bar and post at least 2 or 3 times, open shot from 6 yards over the cross bar, 3 shots from outside the box slightly wide and we missed a penalty – I have to agree with the Hotspurs report it was never a penalty in fact it was a great challenge by the centre back, to take the ball away from our striker who looked to be through on goal. I thought this would even things out considering the ‘controversial’ freekick for Hotspurs but it wasn’t to be the keeper made a good save and not one of the Latini players followed up the rebound. As we continued to push players forward we started to leave our defence slightly exposed and in the end Hotspurs scored another 2 goals to seal the win 4:1 Hotspurs final score. 

Overall we created enough chances to get a point or more from the game, in particular in the first 20min of the second half when it was still 2:1. However looking back at the game it appears that most of the players were already thinking of the SCC game next Saturday and were not focused on the game against a very strong and competitive Hotspurs side. The final ball, pass or shot were just not accurate enough, as much as we created chances I cannot remember the Hotspurs keeper having to make many saves. Hotspurs on the other hand were able to convert their chances and deservedly secured the 3 points. 

Unfortunately the majority of our players had a bad day, only really 3 players that deserve some credit Darren for generally marshalling the defence and Esad fairly well throughout the game, Gaetan for working hard in defence and upfront for the last 20min but my man of the match has to go to Benji for working and running tirelessly and scoring the only goal for Latini. 

Although 8 cards were handed out during the , I thought overall it was played in very good and competitive spirit. Good luck to Hotspurs for the remainder. Referee's unfortunately did not have the best of days...

Next Saturday will be the so called ‘easy fixture’ against an unbeaten SCC side who look in good shape. Come on Latini let’s focus and get back into the shape that makes us such a dangerous and competitive team in the Cosmo League…forza e onore, sempre