First Training Session (1)
"Alright everyone". The coach said while I'm
walking to the encirclement of teenage boys in the middle of the football pitch. Everyone had already arrived when he came. He had made it clear that if he arrived ahead of anyone then they shouldn't even bother coming for training. "My name is Xavier Jerkowski, and I will be your head coach for this session. For the good of those training with me for the first time, I'd like to go over some things".
Xavier went on to talk about his many rules and regulations that every player had to follow. Alexis had already heard most of them from Trey. At that moment, he began to realise that Trey wasn't a bad person to have around.
After Xavier finished talking about his rules and regulations the team did a few practice drills. They practise their dribbling, shooting and other basic skills. After they were done, Xavier called all of them together.
"Now aside from a few of you lot, I haven't really seen any of you play". Xavier said. "And for me to get to know how to utilise you during matches, I have to see you and know how well you can play. I might've seen you play during the try outs but that doesn't count for anything". Xavier said.
He took his phone out of his pocket and fiddled with it for a few seconds. "I have all your names here along with your position, so I'm going to randomly call out your names and you'll form a team". Xavier said.
"Team one will play in a 4-4-2 formation and team two will play in a 4-3-1-2 formation. Details on the arrangement of the teams have already been sent to you all. I give you permission to get your phones and check which team you have been placed in".
Everyone walked towards where they had kept their bags and kicked up their phones. They all got the same text
'The arrangement of the two teams are as follows
Team 1: 4-4-2 Formation
Goalkeeper: Andy Callohven
Right Back: James O'Riley
Centre Back: Jack Mitchell
Centre Back: Luke Harrison
Left Back: Ethan Brooks
Right Midfield: Liam Walker
Central Midfield: Joshua Target
Central Midfield: Alex Thompson
Left Midfield: Trey Hamilton
Striker: Jonathan Dennis
Striker: Ryan Carter
Team 2: 4-3-1-2 Formation
Goalkeeper: Sam Butler
Right Back: Ben Lawson
Centre Back: Charlie Bennett
Centre Back: Oliver Green
Left Back: Harry Morgan
Central Midfield: David Archer
Central Midfield: Archie Black
Central Midfield: Henry Cole
Attacking Midfield: Alexis Butcher
Striker: Michael Uche
Striker: Adam Foster
The duration of the match will be an hour, two thirty minutes halves'.
After everyone finished reading the details about the team they were assigned to, they went back to the pitch and arranged themselves according to the team that they belonged to.
Alexis felt a little bit nervous when he saw the team that he belonged to. Three out of the four ballers were placed in his team. This was his chance to make a good impression to the coach but if he was outshined by the three other prodigies in his team then he'd have to work very hard to make the coach notice him again.
Xavier held a ball and strolled leisurely to the middle of the field. His dropped the ball on the floor and signalled Michael Uche to walk to the center. Alexis team was going to start the match.
Xavier blew the whistle and like that, the match had started. Michael Uche passed the ball to Alexis as he was the most advanced player. Alexis took a touch and passed it to David Archer.
From that moment onwards, the ball continued moving around the feet of the legs of the players Team 2. It was as if Xavier did it on purpose, their midfield was easily the best. David Archer, Archie Black were the two starting midfielders of the previous year and after a few passes, their quality became evident. Alexis and Henry Cole, the other midfielder also turned out to be quite skilled in ball retention.
9'
Team 2 had been controlling the tempo of the match since it began, passing the ball around and creating a couple of chances in the process. The match would've continued like that but Ethan Brooks (Team 2 left back) was caught in possession and lost the ball to James O'Riley(Team 1 right back). James dribbled the ball forward, moving past Henry Cole (Team 2 central midfielder) and sending a cross field ball towards Trey.
Trey conteolled the ball with his first touch and found himself face to face with Ben Lawson (Team 2 right back). Trey's leg flashes over the ball a few times as he did a few stepovees then pushed the ball wide. He and Ethan chased after the ball, Trey just beating Ethan to the ball and pushing it inside.
At this point, Trey was just a few steps away from the corner line. He took a few steps forward the sent a right footed cross into the box.
Jonathan Dennis who was waiting at the edge of the box suddenly sprinted into the box. Team 2's two center backs couldn't close down space quick enough and Joshua headed the ball towards the bottom right corner of the post.
Sam Butler (Team 2 Goalkeeper) dove towards the ball at a full stretch but it wasn't enough to stop it from smashing the net.
Xavier blew his whistle. "Team 1, goal!"
"Fuck". Alexis muttered under his breath. He looked towards Ethan then looked at Sam Butler and finally at Joshua while shaking his head. He had to be better if he wanted to impress the coach. Scouts could identify his talent only if they could see him play. He couldn't afford to be on the bench!
The Team 1 players did a little celebration before running back to their position. The team 2 players were a little sluggish but eventually they went back to their position. Xavier smiled and looked at Trey, then at Ethan. He placed his whistle on his lips and blew it. The match resumed.