The match starts

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"Mr. Collins, why are you here this early," Kay asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone. 

Mr. Collins smiled warmly. "I like to go with the team on the bus for away matches, It's a tradition of mine. Being with the team on the road shows my support. It's important for them to know that I'm with them, win or lose." 

Kay was taken aback by Mr. Collins' humility. In his experience, club presidents often kept their distance, especially on match days. 

This simple act of solidarity from Mr. Collins resonated deeply with him, elevating his respect for the man even further. 

Kay couldn't help but think of Riki, his former club president, who had been the complete opposite, that could even harm his players for the sake of money.

The memory of Riki stirred something in Kay, a flicker of anger that quickly threatened to ignite. 

Riki's actions were unforgettable for Kay, But as quickly as the anger surfaced, Kay remembered Alex's advice; to focus on his career, and to forget about revenge until he was a master class manager. 

With a deep breath, Kay cleared his mind and focused on the players who began to arrive. 

The players greeted Mr. Collins and Kay. Kay could see how the president's presence had affected the players. 

After all the players had gathered at the training ground, they boarded the bus. The journey to Ashford Stadium was relatively short, just an hour. 

The players sat in their seats, while Kay occasionally glanced out the window, taking in the passing scenery. 

After an hour of travel, the stadium came into view, a modest yet well-kept structure that spoke of tradition and history. The bus rolled to a stop beside the stadium, and Mr. Collins was the first to step out. 

Kay followed closely behind Mr. Collins, with Coach Daniels at his side and the players trailing behind them. 

As they approached the entrance, the smell of freshly cut grass filled the air. 

Just as they reached the gate, they were greeted by the president of Ashford Rovers. He was a tall, older man with a broad frame, his silver hair neatly combed back, and a welcoming smile on his face. 

His eyes, sharp and discerning, spoke of years of experience in the world of football.

Despite his age, he moved with a certain energy that suggested he was very much still in touch with the game. 

"Welcome to Ashford," he greeted, his voice deep and warm, extending a hand to Mr. Collins. 

The two presidents exchanged a firm handshake, a mutual respect evident between them. "I hope your journey was pleasant." 

"Thank you, it was," Mr. Collins replied with a nod, his tone polite but measured. "We're looking forward to a good match today." 

The Ashford president turned his attention briefly to Kay and Coach Daniels, giving them a nod of acknowledgment. 

There was a quiet intensity in his gaze as if he was sizing them up, gauging the strength of the team that had come to challenge his own. 

After the brief exchange, he led Mr. Collins away, leaving Kay and Coach Daniels to guide the players to the dressing room. 

Kay was sure that today's match would not be an easy one, as from the research he did yesterday, he found that Ashford's current manager was a seasoned professional, someone who had been around the block more than a few years. 

Unlike Kay, who was still finding his footing as a manager, Ashford's manager was battle-hardened, with years of experience to draw from. 

This wasn't just a match against a relegation-threatened team, it was a test of Kay's strategies against a far more experienced opponent. 

The dressing room was a modest space, with wooden benches lining the walls and lockers set against one side. 

It was clean, though not overly luxurious, with a few motivational posters and a whiteboard for tactics. 

The players settled in, each finding their own space as they began their pre-match routines. 

Some closed their eyes in quiet focus, while others adjusted their gear or stretched to stay loose. 

Kay led his players out onto the pitch, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the grass. 

The stadium was beginning to fill, with the sound of excited fans growing louder by the minute. 

As the players began their warm-up routines, Kay scanned the field. 

On the opposite side, the Ashford Rovers players were already busy with their own warm-up. 

Kay's eyes then landed on the man directing them; the Ashford manager. 

He was in his early forties, with a strong build and a serious expression that spoke of years of experience. 

As Kay approached, the Ashford manager noticed him and walked over, extending a hand. "Welcome," the manager said, his tone polite but measured. 

"Thank you," Kay replied, shaking his hand firmly. There was a brief moment of silence as they sized each other up, a mutual understanding passing between them. 

After the handshake, Kay turned his attention back to his players, making sure they were focused and ready. 

He noticed the Starlight fans in the stands, a sea of blue-sky shirts. Despite being in a different city and far from their home stadium, the Starlight fans had turned out in impressive numbers. 

They were cheering loudly, waving flags, and chanting songs of support. Their energy was huge, and Kay could feel it radiating down onto the pitch. 

He knew that these supporters had traveled to be here, to see their team fight for victory. 

The pressure was on, but it was also a source of motivation. Kay wanted to make sure that all these fans would go home proud of their team. 

As the final minutes of warm-up ticked away, Kay called his players back from the pitch. 

"Alright, everyone, let's head back to the dressing room," Kay instructed. The players, now fully energized and warmed up, jogged back to the dressing room, where their match kits awaited them. 

Inside the dressing room, the atmosphere was tense but focused. The players quickly changed into their blue-sky shirts with golden lines and stars, the colors of Starlight FC. The shirts were crisp, the numbers bold on their backs. 

With ten minutes left before kickoff, the team gathered in the tunnel. The sounds of the stadium, now filled with excited fans, echoed through the walls. 

The opposing team, Ashford Rovers, emerged from their dressing room as well, their players equally focused. 

The managers exchanged brief nods of acknowledgment before taking their positions on the sidelines. 

As the teams walked out onto the pitch, the roar of the crowd grew louder. The captains met at the center circle for the coin toss. 

The referee flipped the coin, and after a quick exchange, the Starlight FC captain chose the side to start from. Both teams took their positions on the field. 

The referee looked at his watch, and with a sharp blow of the whistle, the match began. 

Anouar, positioned in the center, played the ball back to his teammates, initiating the first move of the game. 

Starlight FC started with controlled, precise passes, maintaining possession, and searching for an opening. 

Meanwhile, Ashford Rovers' striker was the only one pressing, moving just enough to put mild pressure on the ball but not committing to any aggressive challenges. 

Kay observed the early minutes with a critical eye. The Ashford Rovers players were disciplined, sticking to their positions and not leaving any gaps.

See you in the next chapter... 

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