U21 World League

Colosseum
Spectators: 7382 (Terracing: 5623, Seating: 1724, VIP seats: 35) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Dominik Smith got the match started through his kick off. In the 7th match minute, Gladiator FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ennio Pizzi to maneuver through the defense. Luke Hollingsworth made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Christian Mattei in the 20th minute of play. In the 21st match minute, The Handsome Wizards UTD was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sonny Watkinson to maneuver through the defense. Beppe Rivera struck a weak shot in the 21st minute. Luke Hollingsworth didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Gladiator FC. After having played for 24 minutes, Beppe Rivera managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Gladiator FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Beppe Rivera was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. When Christian Mattei fell near the penalty area in the 30th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Gladiator FC's protests and gave Christian Mattei a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Gladiator FC getting a freekick after 31 minutes play. Christian Mattei hit a great ball. Dominik Smith sent away a hard shot on goal in the 35th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Anthony Timmins's late challenge caught a Gladiator FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Anthony Timmins helped the player get up and apologised. In the 39th minute, Anthony Timmins hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

With a couple of smart ball manuevers Christian Mattei in the 51st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Luke Hollingsworth saved The Handsome Wizards UTD from getting behind. Luke Hollingsworth took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Christian Mattei, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Angelo Marchegiani showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dominik Smith in the 65th minute of the match. In the 66th match minute, Gladiator FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Franco Cirone to maneuver through the defense. Dominik Smith could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 67th minute of the match, but Angelo Marchegiani made a huge save. In the 72nd minute, Christian Mattei made a precise shot to the right of Luke Hollingsworth. The Handsome Wizards UTD's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0. If Bernardo Africano had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Luke Hollingsworth showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Christian Mattei, who was totally free with the ball in the 80th minute. Beppe Rivera fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 82nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Luke Hollingsworth having to interfere. 84 minutes into the match, Gladiator FC's goal looked a bit too open when Anthony Timmins came free, but Angelo Marchegiani reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 86 minutes into the match, Gladiator FC's Beppe Rivera sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Luke Hollingsworth narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Bernardo Africano recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 93rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal.