50 Derby County (2)

The derby players exploded in celebration as they joyously huddled up around the striker. Tony and his teammates bitterly watched as the derby players celebrated the goal before they later went back to there half of the pitch and waited for the game to resume.

It was almost on the 40th minute as the game resumed and the score was now balanced. Man City played urgently as they sent players forward in other to try and score a goal to regain back there lead before it was time for half time.

They tried to score a goal but all of the derby players were all now defending in their half till it was halftime. Man City could only try to force the goal as they sent long balls into the box or they also tried to shoot from outside of Derby's 18 yard box.

Tony also tried to take a shot from outside of the box but it was blocked by a defender before it could even be considered a threat for the derby goalkeeper.

After two minutes of added time the referee blew his whistle to signal for halftime as the players all slowly walked towards there respective locker rooms.

*****

"It wasn't a bad match at all, so don't feel dejected and just go out there and ensure we get the three points" Coach Taylor shouted and clapped his hands loudly as he tried to motivate the players in the locker room when it was time for them to go out and resume the match.

The players also cheered and clapped loudly as they rushed out of the locker rooms and went to the pitch. Tony was also very motivated as he felt they didn't play too badly and if they played similarly well in the second half they could definitely win the match.

Both teams went into the pitch to begin the second half as Derby kicked off the half.

The derby players were now very cautious as they primarily focused on defending there post before then cautiously looking for a chance to score as they were wary of a counter.

The Man City players were not as cautious as they quickly threw players forward to attack. Anytime they held possession of the ball most of there out field players would basically move into Derby's half of the pitch.

They used there numbers in other to force the goal as the derby players were sitting deep and looking very active in defense.

Tony moved along the front of Derby's 18 yard box as he occasionally recieved and passed the ball with his teammates as they tried to draw the opposition out.

They also took turns in taking shots from outside the box when they saw an opportunity to shoot on goal. They had been trying to force the goal as they also continued to bombard the derby players with high balls into the 18 yard box as they allowed there players to compete for the ball.

Around the 55th minute, when the ball went out for a throwing Coach Taylor called Tony over to the touchline and gave him some instructions.

"Move towards the wings to try and link up with the wingers or try and send crosses into the box for the players who are free in the box." Tony listened as he also took some sips of water from a water bottle he recieved from a coach as Coach Taylor used his hands to further explain what he wanted him to do.

Tony ran back into the field and continued to play as the game soon resumed. Tony soon found an opportunity to roam as he went to the left wing where John was and exchanged a pass with John before he rushed closer to the corner line with the ball and whipped in a cross with his left foot.

Tony's right foot was his dominant leg so he could not hit the ball perfectly towards where he wanted it to go which led to the ball going directly to a derby player who easily cleared the ball.

Derby County also had opportunities to counter but they didn't amount to much as Man City also immediately fell back to defend once they lost possession of the ball.

In the 63rd minute Tony who had now moved down to the right wing and positioned himself close to the right winger as he waited for an opportunity.

A player sent a pass towards the right winger who was positioned outside the right side of the derby 18 yard box. Tony saw the pass coming and quickly looked into the box for a free man city player to cross to.

He saw that John and his team's leftback were inside the box and were only being marked by the right back of derby. "Leave the ball" Tony quickly told the right winger to leave the ball for him as he used his right foot to use his first touch to immediately cross the ball towards the left side of the derby box.

The derby players were focused on the right side of the box where Tony had just recieved the ball before they realised that he sent a quick cross towards the other side of the box.

The man city leftback and the derby rightback jumped up in the air to get to the ball that had been crossed over. The derby rightback got to the ball first and noded the ball out for a throwing.

But his header slightly deflected and went directly to John who was calmly positioned very close to both players and could directly see the derby goal.

John knew it was a golden chance in the match and quickly controlled the ball before he immediately sent a placed kick of the ball with his right foot into the bottom right corner.

The keeper tried but he couldn't get there as the ball went into the net. Tony and the other Man City players immediately rushed up to John and celebrated the goal with him.

As they were going back to there half to resume the game, a player informed them that Coach Taylor instructed them to continue playing the same way and not to unnecessarily go on the defensive.

Tony could play defensive football when it was necessary but like most players, he loved attacking football and was very happy with the instruction from the coach as the game resumed.