Rival

"I told you, I'll show you." Jahzir White snickered as he extended his hands towards Blaise Atkinson at full time. 

"Oh that? That ball was truly impressive, mate." Blaise Atkinson won't deny the quality of that cross. He also didn't catch the hostility in his tone. "You guys deserved that equalizer!"

"I win round one, then." Jahzir started walking off with a smile. 

"Huh?" Blaise was perplexed. What the fuck is this bloke going on about? Round one? 

"You challenged me earlier, remember?" Jahzir turned around and said.

"Huh? Challenged you?" Blaise was stumped at the turn of events. "When did that happen?"

Am I the only one who doesn't know about this challenge?

"Oh, okay, you can go deny it. It won't make any difference." Jahzir was absolutely living in his own world. "Oh, and I'll beat you next time too, Atkinson, my rival."

Rival? What the heck, bro? 

That's cringe!

Blaise was left there scratching his sweaty head.

***

Tonight's result was nothing but a disappointment for Sheffield United. A 3-3 draw might look good considering it's an away game, and they were down early, but this is a derby! 

A draw wasn't enough to satisfy them!

The fanbase watched as Sheffield United pressed on to find a winner, with three more minutes of stoppage time remaining, but was left hanging by the woodwork denying them thrice. First one was from an Alain Prosser tap-in on the counterattack, the second was George Williams' rebound from the same play, and the last, and most heartbreaking… was a penalty from the captain Damian Potts.

On the last corner kick of the game, Doncaster's goal scorer Benjamin Price leapt out for a clearance, however, Blaise Atkinson half-volleyed the rebound towards the goal. It cannoned straight at Ben Price, who was unable to turn around in time.

The ball struck his left hand, which was tucked in too late.

It was unintentional, but it was enough to impede the ball's trajectory. The referee had no choice but to flash him a yellow card, and point at the penalty spot, despite Doncaster's complaints. 

Blaise wanted to take it, but since it was the coach's pre-game set piece instructions that mattered to them, he didn't say anything in protest. On those instructions, Damian Potts was the designated penalty kick taker.

Damian Potts bore all the pressure for Sheffield United through its ups and downs for almost two decades. Despite all that had occurred, he was still the man in the middle, the man wearing the captain's armband, the one shouldering the club's present. 

But he missed it. He was denied by the woodwork, and as the Rovers cleared the ball away, the referee whistled for full time.

He had disappointed not only himself, but also his team, and his fans too many times to count before tonight, however it stung his heart all the same. 

I should've scored that. 

The rattling of the post continued ringing in his mind for a long time, up until he was woken up by the manager giving them a post match pep talk.

"On a normal fixture, I'd say, you did well to fight back and get a draw. It's a shame we didn't get the win, but coming out of a game like that with a point, was great nonetheless." Steve Bronson looked at his team with a blank expression. "But this wasn't a normal fixture."

Some of the younger players had their heads either covered by towels, or hung low in shame. 

"The fans were disappointed with the draw, and their sentiments were understandable."

Blaise wanted to blame himself for not fighting for that penalty. His body was spent, but his eyes brimmed with spirit.

"However, for me, a normal fixture or not, you made me proud. I could see how far this team could go. I could see how far this team could fight." 

The disappointment permeating within the team immediately disappeared, turning into a rising sense of hope for the future. 

"As a manager, three points would be best, but as someone gazing beyond this game, I loved what I saw from all of you today even more. The hunger to prove yourself, the eagerness to turn the tides, the willingness to bounce back." 

"I take responsibility for my penalty miss." Damian Potts' frustrations had disappeared. He had let the team down too many times before. "I'll be better."

All he ever did was carry the burdens of his team on his back again the next day. He will continue doing so until his aging back finally gives out.

He owes Sheffield United that much.

"We may not have won, but we will get stronger from here on. Every mistake is another chance to learn. I want you to remember that, lads." Steve Bronson said with authority. 

***

Right before they boarded the team bus and left the home stadium, Blaise Atkinson noticed that three people were missing from their crew. 

Their manager Steve Bronson, his captain Damian Potts, and vice captain Trent Hastings. 

He had a hunch of where they were, but he's wondering whether his hunch was correct.

"I'm gonna make a run to the toilets a bit." Blaise ran towards the exit of the bus, and into the back of the stadium, where his suspicions were confirmed.

All three had their heads bowed in front of the traveling supporters.

"We will be better!" The three shouted with conviction.

Blaise watched as words of encouragement poured out from the away supporters. It was enough to make him smile.

"Thank you for your overwhelming support!" The three continued in unison.

"Thank you for always making us proud!" Blaise saw an old man, probably in his seventies, pat the manager's shoulders. "You are our team's prized jewel! Don't worry!"

"Thank you for trusting us!" 

Blaise's heart burned with even more fervor. 

Seeds of loyalty started taking root in his mind. This fanbase deserved it. This rowdy group of players deserved it. 

Once he got back to the team bus, Alain questioned him with a teasing stare.

"Going to the toilets for a bit, huh…" 

"Rookie, I know you're getting popular, but a word of advice…" George Williams acted like a proper senior.

"Sorry to interrupt your thoughts, but I didn't do anything of the sort."

"Very defensive."

"The fact that he already knew what you're about to say scares me."

"Very guilty."

"Somehow, you are better than James at defense." 

"Blaise lad, I might lose my job because of you." 

Blaise didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Sheffield United's rowdy bunch went home and ended the year with a renewed sense of solidarity and hope for the future.