Fa Cup: Derby vs Northampton II
Max Bird grinned, a towel draped over his shoulders. "Couldn't have done it without David's pass. That kid…" He turned toward David, who sat quietly sipping water. "You're magic out there, mate. Keep it up."
Wayne Rooney, their player-coach, clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Great work in the first half, lads. Keep that momentum going. Remember, the job's not done yet. Stay sharp."
Meanwhile, in the away locker room, Northampton's atmosphere was tense. Their coach stood in front of the players, his face a mix of frustration and determination.
"We're not out of this yet," he barked. "But if you want to turn it around, you've got to fight for it. Forget finesse. Be physical. Be relentless. And that sixteen-year-old?" He jabbed a finger in the air. "Don't let him run the game. Get rough if you have to. Make him feel it."
The defenders exchanged glances and nodded grimly, their resolve hardening.
The second half kicked off with Northampton coming out like a storm. Their high press disrupted Derby's rhythm, forcing mistakes and rushed passes. Within minutes, the game became a battle of grit and guile.
David, ever composed, danced past two pressing players with a clever turn, sending the crowd into rapturous applause. Moments later, Jason Knight surged down the flank, delivering a cross that narrowly missed Waghorn's outstretched boot. Derby threatened, but Northampton's defense held firm.
At the other end, Northampton's number nine blasted a shot that whizzed inches over the bar. Then came the foul. In the 51st minute, as Curtis Davies rose for a header, Northampton's burly forward collided with him mid-air, sending him crashing to the ground. The ball fell to a Northampton midfielder, who rifled it into the net.
Derby's players erupted in protest, Rooney leading the charge to the referee. "He knocked Davies down! That was a foul!" he shouted. But the referee waved them away, pointing to the center circle. The goal stood.
Northampton's fans roared with approval. It was 2-1.
Galvanized by their goal, Northampton piled on the pressure. In the 60th minute, a slick one-two between their forwards split Derby's defense, and a thunderous strike found the top corner. The stadium erupted as the scoreboard read 2-2.
Derby's players huddled near the center circle, their faces a mix of frustration and determination. "We've got this," David said, his voice firm. "Let's show them what we're made of."
The next fifteen minutes were a spectacle of footballing brilliance. David weaved through defenders with dazzling footwork, leaving them flailing in his wake. In the 77th minute, he picked up the ball near the halfway line and began a mesmerising run. One defender lunged, but David pulled off a step-over so quick it left the opponent sprawling. Another charged at him, only to be beaten by a deft Cruyff turn.
As David entered the box, a third defender clattered into him, sending him tumbling to the ground. The referee's whistle pierced the air, and he pointed to the spot.
Wayne Rooney stepped up to take the penalty. The stadium fell silent, the tension palpable. Rooney's run-up was deliberate, his strike precise. The ball rocketed into the top corner, and the Derby fans erupted, chanting his name as the scoreboard flipped to 3-2.
The game wasn't over yet. In the 84th minute, Northampton nearly equalized. A looping cross found their striker unmarked in the box. His header seemed destined for the net, but Curtis Davies, recovering from his earlier knock, launched himself into a heroic clearance off the line.
The ball fell to David just outside Derby's box. With one touch, he set it ahead of him and took off like a sprinter. The crowd rose to their feet as he sprinted down the pitch, a Northampton defender shadowing him.
David slowed slightly, drawing the defender in, then executed a rainbow flick—the ball arcing gracefully over the opponent's head. The crowd gasped in awe. Now one-on-one with the goalkeeper, David feigned a powerful shot before delicately chipping the ball over the keeper, who dived helplessly.
The ball sailed into the net, and Pride Park erupted. Fans screamed, waved scarves, and jumped in unison. The commentators were beside themselves.
"What a goal! David Jones, take a bow! That was pure genius from the sixteen-year-old!"
David raised his arms in celebration, soaking in the adulation. His teammates swarmed him, their cheers almost drowning out the crowd's. The final minutes saw Derby defending their lead with every ounce of energy they had.
When the final whistle blew, the stadium shook with the noise of jubilant Derby fans. David walked off the pitch, exhausted but elated, knowing this performance would be talked about.