Football System: Touchline God-Chapter 69: Northcastle Rising Stars VS Hastings Coastal Academy I

Chapter 69: Northcastle Rising Stars VS Hastings Coastal Academy I

[> "Price on the ball," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "He’s got the beating of most defenders." <]

Nathan looked up and saw his brother Marcus making a run into the 18-yard box. The cross was inviting.

Marcelo read the danger. He stepped in front of Marcus and headed the ball clear.

[> "Excellent defending," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "Marcelo timing that perfectly." <]

The ball dropped to Connor Davis. The Hastings playmaker controlled it well, then looked for another attack.

Davis played a quick pass to Sam Rodriguez on the left wing. The winger had space to run at Ollie Pritchard.

[> "Rodriguez with the ball," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "He’s got a wicked left foot." <]

The winger cut inside, away from Pritchard. Will van Drunen came across to help, but Rodriguez was quick.

The shot came from twenty yards. Low and hard, aimed at the bottom corner.

Freddie Booth dove to his right. The young keeper got his fingertips to the ball, pushing it wide.

[> "BRILLIANT SAVE!" <] Peter Walsh shouted. [> "What a stop from the young keeper!" <]

The crowd groaned. So close to the opening goal.

[> "That’s exactly what Rodriguez is capable of," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Cutting inside and finding the corner." <]

The corner kick was swung in by Connor Davis. Marcus Price rose highest in the 18-yard box, but Jack Stones was there to meet him.

The captain’s header was strong and clean. The ball flew to safety.

[> "Jack Stones with the defensive header," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "Leading by example." <]

The ball found its way to Émile Fournier. The French midfielder took a touch, then looked up field.

Ishaan Bhatt was calling for the ball. The number ten had found space between the lines.

The pass was weighted perfectly. Ishaan controlled it with his back to goal, then turned.

[> "Bhatt with the ball," <] Michael Harrison said. [>×"He’s got the vision to unlock this defense." <]

Two Hastings players closed in. Jake Thompson from behind, Connor Davis from the front.

Ishaan saw them coming. A quick touch to his left, then a pass to Ethan Suleiman on the right wing.

The winger was already moving. He took one touch to control the ball, then he was running at Ryan Clarke.

[> "Suleiman with pace," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "He’s got the beating of the left-back." <]

The crowd noise dropped slightly. The home fans were worried now.

Suleiman cut inside, then outside. Clarke was struggling to keep up.

The cross came in. Low and dangerous. Luis Navarro was waiting eagerly in the 18-yard box.

The Spanish striker met the ball with his right foot. The shot was well-struck, but Tom Bradley threw himself in the way, sliding with his body and stopping the goal-bound shot.

[> "BLOCKED!" <] Michael Harrison shouted. [> "Bradley with the crucial intervention!" <]

The ball bounced loose. Ishaan Bhatt pounced on it, but his shot was charged down by Jake Thompson.

[> "End-to-end stuff here in the opening ten minutes," <] Peter Walsh said. {> "Both teams creating chances." <]

The ball rolled to Ben Williams. The Hastings midfielder cleared it upfield toward Marcus Price.

The striker was already moving. He controlled the ball with his chest, then turned Jack Stones.

{> "Price with the ball," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "He’s in a dangerous position." <]

Marcus Price opted for a range attempt, and the shot came ferociously. Rising from eighteen yards, dipping toward the top corner.

But unfortunately for him and the home crowd, Freddie Booth dived at full stretch. His fingertips touched the ball, just enough to tip it over the bar.

[> "ANOTHER BRILLIANT SAVE!" <] Peter Walsh shouted. [> "This young keeper is having a nightmare of a game for Hastings!"

<]

The crowd was on its feet. The keeper was keeping Rising Stars in the game.

[> "That’s two world-class saves already," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "Booth is announcing himself on the big stage." <]

The corner kick was taken by Connor Davis. Again, Marcus Price rose highest.

This time, his header was goalward. Freddie Booth was in the right place, catching it cleanly.

[> "Safe hands from Booth," <] Peter Walsh said. [> "He’s growing in confidence." <]

The keeper rolled the ball out to Marcelo. The Brazilian looked up and saw space down the left flank.

The pass found Declan Whittaker. The winger controlled it and started another attack.

[> "Rising Stars looking dangerous on the counter," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "They’re not just here to defend." <]

Whittaker played the ball inside to Harvey Quinlan. The midfielder was already moving forward.

Harvey found Ishaan Bhatt with a clever pass. The number ten had time and space to pick his next move.

[> "Bhatt in possession, what can he do with this?" <] Peter Walsh said. [> "He’s been the key to Rising Stars’ creativity." <]

Ishaan let loose a through-ball, the pass was perfect. Weighted just right for Luis Navarro to run onto.

The Spanish striker’s pace kept him through on goal. Just him and James Mitchell.

[> "NAVARRO’S THROUGH!" <] Michael Harrison shouted. [> "This could be the opening goal!" <]

The crowd held its breath. Everything seemed to slow down.

Navarro steadied himself. The goal was at his mercy.

The shot was low and hard, aimed at the bottom corner.

James Mitchell dove to his right. The keeper’s outstretched hand made a surprising contact and pushed the ball wide at the last moment.

[> "SAVED!" <] Peter Walsh shouted. [> "Mitchell with a crucial stop!" <]

The crowd erupted in relief. Their keeper had kept the scores level.

["What a chance that was," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Navarro will be disappointed not to score." <]

The Spanish striker put his hands on his head. So close to the opening goal.

[> "That’s football," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "Fine margins at this level." <]

The corner kick was taken by Émile Fournier. The ball was whipped in toward the near post.

Will van Drunen rose to meet it. The Dutch defender’s header was powerful and well-directed.

Tom Bradley was on the line. The Hastings captain cleared it away.

[> "Hastings defending desperately," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "They’re under real pressure now." <]

The ball dropped to Harvey Quinlan. The midfielder hit it first time from twenty yards.

The shot was rising, heading for the top corner.

James Mitchell was at full stretch. His fingertips touched the ball, tipping it over.

[> "ANOTHER SAVE!" <] Peter Walsh shouted. [> "Mitchell matching his opposite number!" <]

Both keepers were having the game of their lives. The crowd was loving every minute.

[> "This is turning into a goalkeeper’s battle," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Both Mitchell and Booth showing their class." <]

The game was fifteen minutes old. No goals, but plenty of action.

On the touchline, Maddox was animated. His team was playing well, creating chances.

"Keep going!" he shouted. "We’re getting there!"

The crowd was fully engaged now. Every tackle, every pass, every shot was met with noise.

This was football at its finest. Two teams giving everything.

The best was yet to come.

============

============

Please remember to vote with your power stones and golden tickets for the WSA 2025.

Also, I hope you guys are enjoying this story so far? If you are, please don’t forget to leave a comment and consider writing a review as it’ll help my book. I’d be delighted to hear your feedback.