Chapter 17: The battle of York part 3: Weights

York City Community Stadium

Time: 43:17

A change has been made for the Visiting Supa Strikas as Veteran Striker Theo von Neek (18) makes way for academy prospect Andile Manzuel (44).

Andile ran to the duo of Mateo and Zuko who were just standing in the Middlefield area. Still talking.

"Coach says we are changing formation. Mateo will be the sole poacher whilst me and you Zuko are inverted wingers." Andile announced, giving them a piece of paper with instructions from Spenza. "OK, got it." Zuko said, chewing up the paper like chewing gum.

"Yeah, this match is about to restart. Let's get to our positions." Andile said, as he walked towards his left-wing position.

"Wait. we need your help." Zuko said, Walking next to Andile.

"With what? Let's just play ball." Andile said as the game restarted with York quickly regaining control.

York immediately attacked, running with the ball as Supa Strikas struggled to defend it, but a late take from Ryan managed to put the ball out of play for a corner kick.

"Look, dude. We aren't asking you to work for us or anything. Let's just put our differences aside for the team. Remember what Coach K said, it Doesn't matter who scored as long as we have more goals than our opposition than we have won. It's a temporary truce anyway, if all goes to plan, me and Mateo will leave the club at the end of the season voluntarily. So, we will be out of your hair. Just think about it kid." Zuko said to Andile as the ball was punched towards the center before a huge whistle was heard, signaling the end of the first half. The teams respect‐fully walked to their lockerooms.

Andile walked back to the lockeroom alone. Not speaking to anyone, just stuck in his own world. That is until Ryan came and knocked him back to reality as they entered the lockeroom.

"You ok bro. You seem lost today, did not touch the ball once in the first half." Ryan said, taking off his top kit and sitting on the bench next to Andile who had already sat down.

"I just need to get my mind in the game that's all." Andile replied, starring at Mateo and Zuko who were standing on the opposite side, chatting about something.

"And you keep looking at those two. Did something happen or what?" Ryan said, also looking at Mateo and Zuko. "Nah, listen bro. Would you ever play for United?" Andile said, still starring.

"No way! Any club but United." Ryan replied, looking shocked.

"What if it meant Supa Strikas get to play in the Super League, and win it again?" Andile quickly responded as if he knew what Ryan would say beforehand.

"I guess, but I would still be repulsed to my bones bro." Ryan replied, seeming conflicted.

"Well, that's how I feel about what I'm about to do right now." Andile said, standing up and walking to Mateo and Zuko who had also taken of their tops.

"Let's do it!" Andile said, starring straight into Mateo and Zuko's eyes.

"So, you have decided to swallow your pride, prince." Mateo said, sarcastically.

"Listen, the only reason why I'm doing this is so that I don't have to see your useless faces here next season. We all don't like each other and that won't change for the foreseeable future. So, let's just quickly do our jobs so you two leeches can get out of here and leave us who actually wanna play for this club." Zuko said, walking away as every‐one began to get dressed for the second half.

Andile once again walked back to the field stuck in his own world. This time he thought about the day he watched football for the first time, a game etched in his memory. A game when he was just 6 years old. He vaguely remembers it, Invincible United Vs Supa Strikas in the Super League final. 80 000 people crammed into a huge bowl split in half, one half wearing Grey and Gold. The other wearing red and Yellow. Him and his mother sitting in the top stands, wearing red Supa strikas t-shirts. His father had just moved to Supa Strikas that season, the match was blurry to him. But he remembers his father score a goal, and his father running up the stands to grab him and walks Andile into the field, lifting the Super League trophy with them.

"I've watched that match a hundred times and I have never understood it. How could dad carry such a weight on his shoulders. Seems mine is not that big compared to that. It's just his name." Andile thought to himself, coming back to his senses as the whistle began the match for the second half.

Supa strikas kicked of the second half by passing the ball around, aiming to draw out the York players and break their defense. It worked, as soon as the York players began to press the Supa Strikas, a fast-paced attack began, with Zuko funding down the flank, beating players in speed before passing it to Mateo who also beat his markers with some skill before passing to Andile who advanced down the flank as Goliath closed him down.

"I'm Sorry bro. But I can't let you through. The weight of the name of one of the best players of today is heavy. And I cannot drop it useless scum like you." Alex said, running towards Andile, aiming to tackle him.

"WELL, the weight on my back is heavier. It is the weight of one of the greatest players in history. And I'm tired of not living up to it." Andile said running towards Alex who had already begun to slide tackle, but Andile simple passed the ball to Mateo who was open before jumping up and avoiding Alex's tackle. Mateo was open and alone in the penalty box but shot the ball to hard and hit the bar, deflecting the ball out of play.

"The weight you carry must be pretty heavy if you are on the ground right now." Andile said, lifting Alex up in a show of sportsmanship.

"Yours seemed pretty light. You can jump quite well with it." Alex replied as the both laughed with Andile running back to his teammates As Alex saw the name on Andile's back. -(Manzuel 44)- the jersey wrote as Alex seemed to smile like a villain.

"Cap, what's up? You seem out of it right now." One of his fellow Defenders said.

"Nothing man, just that I have finally met someone who knows how to carry a team on his back. A man worthy of being his wall whilst he attacks." Alex said, as the goalkeeper prepared to kick the ball into play.

The story of the battle of York shall be remembered by many names. The day the deadliest attack met the best Defender In the world. A relentless combination of attacks from Mateo, Zuko and Andile faced off against Alex, in the end, the scene was as follows.... 32 shots taken, 30 shots on target,

Final score, 0-0. In a match with no winner, Alex stood on the battered and tired bodies of the trio who tried their best, with utter defeat in their faces!