Starlight FC VS Ashford Rovers (4)

If the story receives 30 power stones in the next 48 hours, I will share one additional chapter.

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The Starlight fans, already on their feet, were ready to erupt in celebration. But just as the ball seemed destined to nestle in the back of the net, a sharp, echoing sound rang out across the stadium. 

It was the unmistakable clang of the ball striking the crossbar. The ball hit the bar with force, bouncing back into the field, leaving everyone in a state of stunned disbelief. 

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Anouar stood frozen, his hands on his head, disbelief clear on his face. 

The Starlight fans gasped collectively, followed by a murmur of disappointment that rippled through the stands. 

On the other side, the Ashford fans, who had been on the edge of panic, breathed a sigh of relief, though their nerves were now frayed. 

As the ball ricocheted off the crossbar and back into play, Desmond, positioned just outside the box, saw his chance. 

Without hesitation, he swung his leg, striking the ball with power. But luck wasn't on his side; the shot slammed into the back of an Ashford defender and deflected wildly. 

The loose ball skidded across the pitch, landing at the feet of Oliver, Ashford's midfielder. 

Oliver placed the ball with a touch and immediately looked up. Spotting Flash on the right flank, he delivered a perfectly weighted pass that crossed the field. 

Flash, with his exceptional speed, took off down the wing, seizing the moment. Desmond, who had just taken the shot, was out of position, leaving a gap that Flash exploited mercilessly. 

Sam, who had been covering the left side in Harper's absence, quickly recognized the danger. 

But as Flash bore down on him, the space between them felt vast. Flash was coming at him with full momentum, and Sam knew he was at a disadvantage. 

As Flash approached, he executed a flawless double cut; a dribble that involved a quick, sharp touch to his left followed immediately by an even quicker cut back to his right. 

The move was so swift that it left Sam off-balance and stumbling. Flash darted past him, leaving Sam in his wake, the crowd rising in anticipation as the Ashford winger closed in on the goal. 

But just as Flash began to surge past, Sam, driven by desperation and the memory of Kay's instructions, reached out and grabbed the back of Flash's shirt. 

The tug was forceful, and Flash, despite his speed, couldn't maintain his balance. 

He fell to the ground, sprawling onto the turf just as he had surpassed Sam. 

The stadium erupted with mixed reactions, boos from the Ashford fans, angry shouts from the players, and a loud whistle from the referee, who immediately stopped play. 

Flash, still on the ground, looked up in frustration, knowing that he had been robbed of a clear scoring opportunity. 

Sam stood over him, a mix of relief and guilt on his face, aware that he had done what was necessary to prevent a potential goal, even if it meant taking a yellow card. 

The referee whistled as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a yellow card and holding it up in front of Sam. 

The yellow card gleamed under the stadium lights as the referee's stern expression conveyed the gravity of the foul. 

Sam, knowing the consequences of his actions, simply nodded and lowered his head, accepting the punishment without protest as he knew that he deserved it. 

He had made a tactical decision, one that was necessary to stop the dangerous counterattack, and he knew it was a move that deserved the yellow card. 

On the sidelines, Ashford's manager was visibly upset. His team had struggled to create opportunities throughout the match, and now, just when they had a chance to break through, it was halted by a foul. 

The frustration was evident on his face as he realized that Starlight FC was willing to use tactical fouls to disrupt the rhythm of his players. 

It was a strategy that could wear down their momentum and potentially ruin their chances of getting ahead. 

Ashford prepared to take the free kick. The players knew that the match was reaching a critical point, and every play could be decisive. 

The ball was played in, but Starlight's defense held firm, clearing the danger without allowing Ashford a real chance on goal. 

As the play resumed, Anouar took the attention of Ashford's manager. 

Anouar moved with confidence, his vision sharp as he looked for the best pass. The manager remembered the earlier moment when Anouar had nearly scored with a powerful, curved shot that rattled the crossbar. 

It was a shot of pure quality, and the manager couldn't understand why Anouar hadn't taken more shots throughout the match. 

The manager wondered if it was a deliberate tactic, perhaps a sign of Starlight's disciplined approach, or maybe even a lack of confidence in taking risks. 

Whatever the reason, it made him wary that if Anouar decided to unleash another shot, it could very well change the course of the match. 

As the game progressed into the 81st minute, Starlight FC began another attack, this time from the right side, with the trio of Anouar, Turner, and Riley working together in perfect sync. 

Anouar received the ball and quickly passed it to Turner. Without hesitation, Turner stopped the ball and sent a low, precise, and rapid pass across the field to Sam, who was positioned just outside the left edge of the box; it's the Crossfield Strike. 

Ashford's manager felt a sense of déjà vu as he watched the play unfold. The sequence seemed similar to the earlier one that had nearly resulted in a goal. 

Sam, with a deft touch of his right foot, curved the ball toward the top right corner of the goal. The shot was perfectly executed, drawing a beautiful arc through the air. 

The Ashford goalkeeper, rooted to his spot, could only watch and entertain the view as the ball sailed past him, nestling into the back of the net. 

The stadium erupted in cheers from the Starlight FC fans. Their team had taken the lead, and they celebrated wildly. 

In contrast, the Ashford fans fell silent. They had been content when their team was ahead, and even when the score was level, they had remained hopeful. But now, with their team losing, the mood had shifted dramatically. 

Sam, elated by his goal, ran toward Kay and hugged him tightly. It was Kay who had believed in him, who had given him a chance in the starting lineup. This goal was as much Kay's victory as it was his own. 

Watching from the sidelines, Ashford's manager could no longer ignore the pattern. The goal had come from the same kind of action as Anouar's earlier shot. 

This was no chance, no moment of individual brilliance; it was a well-executed tactic. 

He quickly adjusted his strategy, instructing Olivier Preston to stay close to the edge of the box, ready to block any future attempts from Anouar or Sam, and told his team to leave the defense and attack. 

Kay anticipated the shift in Ashford's tactics and knew what was coming next. He called out to his players, instructing them to switch to a more defensive stance. 

Ashford Rovers, desperate to equalize, threw everything they had into the attack. Their players surged forward, leaving only Caine and one other defender behind to protect their goal. 

As the last moments of the match arrived, The referee announced four additional minutes. 

In the 93rd minute, Olivier was preparing to take a corner kick, Ashford Rovers, desperate for an equalizer, had thrown everything forward; including their goalkeeper. 

The ball sailed into the box, curving toward the cluster of players jostling for position. 

Dragan, Starlight FC's striker, was locked in a physical battle with Caine, Ashford's captain, and both men leaped into the air. 

See you in the next chapter... 

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