“PRRRPP, PRRRRPP!!”
“It is finally half-time here in Ashton where the Imperial Academy is hosting Kernistad Academy.” Arnold spoke as the players headed off the field.
“It has been a constant high for the home fans as Ashton Imperial Academy completely ran riot over Kernistad in the first half, walking off of the pitch with five goals to zero. The home team put on a offensive masterpiece, with Julian Valecrest leading the attack, scoring three immaculate goals and setting Danny Bremang up for a goal of his own. Nolan Grey showed his hand with two assists and Martin and Austin showed remarkable teamwork when Martin set the winger through on goal with a defense splitting pass to close off the scoring.”
“Watching Ashton play was a delight, but watching Kernistad on the other hand was just sad. Coming into the game they looked like a team that was ready to take the fight to last years champions, but the moment that first whistle was blown, everything went to hell for them. It was brutal. They looked completely clueless on that field, like a bunch of kids that never kicked a ball in their lives. And even though they kept the ball for most of the half, Ashton showed them that ruthless attacking and clinical finishing mattered more than who completed the most passes. But luckily for them, it is half-time, and with it comes the opportunity to regroup and go back to the drawing board. Though, I’m pretty sure that they will transition into a very defensive setup, but despite doing the same in the first half, Ashton still manage to score two. So I’m eager to see what their coach will have them do when we come back from the break.”
********
“Nice, man.”
“Great performance, bro.”
“That was a beautiful goal.”
Julian heard constant praises and compliments from his teammates as they moved deeper into the stadium, their boots tapping the floor as they moved.
[Not going to lie, dude; that was pretty impressive.]
Julian’s eyes traveled to his companion floating above his shoulder and a small smile appeared on his face.
‘Thanks Mini.
But I’m not done yet, there’s still a second half.’
When they got to the lockers, Julian sat down in front of his locker and dapped a clean towel to his sweat slicked neck.
He noticed the gazes of amazement from his teammates but paid them no mind.
This was only youth football, the only time those looks will mean anything is when he competes at the highest level.
“Good job, everyone.” Coach Irene stepped into the lockers, a full-blown smile on her face.
“Especially you, Julian, great performance out there.”
Julian nodded, and threw the towel in a bin, expression neutral.
“There is no bad takes from me, just a shame that we couldn’t see our defense in action, but you will hear no complaints from me.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m going to make a couple of changes early in the second half to gauge the performance of other players, so the starting players will have at least fifteen more minutes to play to their hearts content.”
She paused a bit, throwing a probing gaze over the squad.
“Kernistad will most definitely play defensively from now on, this will allow you guys to go all out in the attack, but don’t be reckless and don’t overdo it.”
She fixed her gaze on Zander Chitty.
“Zander, your long balls have proven to be very effective, keep it up and look to find Danny in the opponents box, and don’t forget to spread the ball wide to Julian and Austin. And that is it for me. There’s nothing else to say as you guys showed me that you know what you’re doing, so just keep doing that.”
The coach walked out, leaving the players to continue their conversations and to prepare themselves for the second half of the game.
Austin walked over to Julian with a broad smile.
“Damn, dude.” He sat down next Julian and through a arm over his shoulder.
“That was some top level shit.”
Julian rolled his shoulders, removing Austin’s arm.
“Yeah.” And threw a irritated gaze at the boy.
“Now I see why my bro over there chose you as his rival.” He pointed to Nolan with a nod.
Julian turned his head to Nolan who was drinking a whole bottle of water in one breath.
He stopped and turned his head to them when he felt their gazes, tilting his head in confusion, water dripping down his chin.
“Any rivalry he has with me is one sided.” Julian finally said, standing up from the bench.
With those words, Julian moved to the exit, his presence making the other players automatically follow behind him.
“Damn.”
Was all Austin could utter, looking at Julian’s back as he stepped through the door, a proper line of players forming behind him.
********
“Would you look at that,” Arnold said with a surprised and impressed tone as the AIA players emerged from the tunnels with Julian in the lead.
“There’s still a few minutes left of the break but Ashton is walking out already. It seems they can’t wait to get the second half underway.”
The camera zoomed in on the determined expression on Julian’s face.
“He has already given the home fans more than enough to cheer for, but that look on his face is clearly telling us that he is not done yet. I’m eager to see what Julian and Ashton has in store of us when the break ends.”
“PRRRRPPP!!”
A few minutes later the ref blows the whistle, and Kernistad Academy starts the game again.
“The referee signals the start of the second half, and as suspected, Ashton made no changes in their approach, but Kernistad made less changes than expected. Only switching out one of their strikers for a defensive midfielder and switching to a 4-5-1 formation from the initial 4-4-2. This is obviously done to put the maximum number of capable defenders to protect their goal, but leaving one striker up front for the small and fragile hope that they can score on a counterattack. Which I think is very unlikely with the way their playing now.”
As Arnold said that, Kernistad passed the ball amongst themselves at the back, constantly passing the ball to the goalkeeper when the press from Ashton got to much.
“BOOOO!! BOOO!!”
Loud boo’s and mocking shouts filled the stadium after a few minutes of play, the crowd throwing curses at the away team.
‘Damn.’ Julian paused for a beat, eyes trailing over the tens of thousands of fans screaming derogatory words.
‘These are some diehard fans, not even caring that the ones on the receiving end of their rage is 16 year olds.’
“Kernistad has gotten what they wished for: keeping the ball and preventing Ashton from scoring more goals. But in doing so, they stalled the game and angered the fans. Must be hard for young boys to hear that, especially in the first game of the season, but the home fans don’t seem to care in the least bit. And neither is it surprising that the Imperial fans are acting like this, after all, they are known for their rude behavior towards rival fans and high expectations from their own team.”
The pressure from those in the stands and from the ones on the pitch finally got to Kernistad, losing the ball after making a reckless pass forward.
“Careless mistake there from Kernistad.” Arnold relayed.
“But Ashton doesn’t care, with Keenan Monlouis picking up the ball on the halfway line and instantly driving forward for the attack.”
Keenan Monlouis–defensive midfielder–picked up the loose ball and sped into the opponent’s half.
Kernistad immediately went into defensive mode, pulling back and tightening the spaces between themselves.
Keenan passed to Nolan who stood in front of Kernistad’s first defensive line.
“Keenan to Nolan.”
Martin made a ran in behind the first defensive line, standing in between the midfielders and defenders of Kernistad.
Nolan spotted the run and made the pass.
“Nolan to Martin.”
Martin got closed down in a blink, forcing him to pass the ball back first-time.
“Back to Nolan.”
Due to their tight defensive play, there was plenty of space on the wings.
Nolan noticed this, playing a lofted pass to Austin.
“He sends it Austin on the wing.”
Austin took control of the ball with a deft touch.
He lifted his head for a brief moment before sending the cross in.
“Can anyone get on the end of the cross?!”
The fans released a collective sigh as Danny missed the header, the ball to high for him to reach.
“That was a close call.”
The ball went over all the players, but Julian catches up to it before it could run out of play.
“Julian makes sure to keep the ball in play.”
Turning to face the defender–right back–Julian saw that the defender had no plans to tackle him, only keeping his eyes on the ball and his right side open to bait Julian into going for the space in the corner.
‘Like hell I will.’
Knowing it’s a trap and that he will lose the ball, Julian decided against it and changed his approach.
He noticed that a moment ago, Danny almost got on the end of that cross from Austin.
That gave him an idea.
Lifted his left hand, he signaled for Danny to go to the backpost.
The striker immediately did so.
“The moment he got the ball the crowd went silent and rose to their feet, anticipating another spectacular play from him.”
Unfortunately for the fans, Julian passed the ball down the line to Josh Duxberry–left-back–who came up with him.
“The fans will have to wait it seems.” Arnold said.
“Touch.” Julian said, moments before the ball could reach Josh.
Josh instantly responded, passing the ball back with his first touch.
That was when Julian exploded into motion.
With his front facing Josh, Julian cut the ball inside with the outside of his left foot.
He turned and sent a cross into the box, to the back post.
It happened so fast that Kernistad only moved when the ball already left his foot, but by then it was too late.
“Bremang with header!!”
Danny rose for the header, his tall figure reaching the high ball in no time.
Kernistad’s defenders jumped too, a moment later than Danny.
The ball connected beautifully with the side of his.
And Danny directed it towards goal.
“GOAAALL!!” The commentator roared.
“Another splendid goal from Ashton! And once again, Julian Valecrest is the architect behind it, sending a pinpoint cross to Danny in the opponents box. Oh my word. Is there anything this kid can’t do?!”
********
–CLAP CLAP–
The sounds of cheers and claps echoed loudly in the stadium as Julian made his way to the line, the fourth official holding up a board with his number on it.
“A standing ovation from the crowd as Julian gets subbed off. And a well deserved one at that. He showed up today and delivered a performance that will be on many mouths for a long time to come.”
I’ve decided to continue writing the book regardless if I didn’t get the contract.
And a special shout out to astral_stare.
His motivation is one of the biggest reasons why I’ve decided to keep going.