Chapter 2- Overwhelmed
I received many nods and pats on the head and the shoulder as I walked into the locker room for half-time. I sat on the bench and pulled an electrolyte-rich drink from my bag, sipping it as I relaxed on the wall. I had a banana in my hand and I put it down half-finished as the manager came into the room, to of course speak about positives and negatives.
"That was stunning lads, Lewis good work on dropping back when we needed you, Gooch, you've made some nice runs, and all of you are in tip-top form, Tyrese, well done, creating openings, moving into space for the pass, quality work up at the front, and finally Adrian, the best passing I've seen in my career as a manger, so much pace and the dribbling too, I don't even have to mention the amazingness of that freekick!"
"Thanks, Gaffer, we'll win it for sure!" I said, confirming what I already believed in.
Steven Schumacher smiled and began pointing at a whiteboard with our formation on it, explaining the change in our roles, he told us to get the balls to the wing, and hit them with something different, so that Hoever and Gooch, our two wingers could get the ball forwards and cross, it was a solid plan.
We listened and wasted the last two or three minutes of our break, drinking lots of water and energy drinks to keep us going. Even amidst this relaxed vibe, none of the adrenalin was lost, coming back onto the pitch I wasn't tired at all, I was excited beyond measure.
We started with the ball this time, and Tyrese passed the ball to me straight away, beginning the match's second half. I passed it back to our center midfielder Lewis Baker who turned it over to Gooch who was now flying down the left flank, I moved into space, in line with the right back, and waited for Gooch's through ball. It came, but with way too much power, I sprinted forward to get the ball, but it was out of bounds, Gooch was apologetic but I grinned it off, we would get another chance.
Their keeper kicked the ball and in a momentary lapse of concentration it went flying over our heads creating space for their strikers, Jobe Bellingham trapped the ball with ease and dribbled forwards.
Our defenders were all skilled up, and I ran backward to stop them alongside our cm's Baker and Burger, but we were too late as the ball cascaded into the net, followed by an evil grin from Jobe Bellingham. This guy was a real prodigy, probably faster than me.
Jobe Bellingham
Pos: St
OVR: 81
Pac: 90
sho: 80
dri: 86
pas: 76
phy: 80
def: 75
Aerial Prowess: 80
I immediately asked our keeper for the ball and got the play rolling again, we can't afford to let them get cocky and get morale, we need one more goal and fast. I passed the ball to Hoever on the right wing and this time when I ran past the left-back I received a perfect through ball from Hoever.
I dribbled past the first centre-back and I was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. I did rapid step-overs and tried to trick the keeper, but he stayed rooted, eventually I did what I was going to do anyway, passing it to our other striker, Lauren who netted the easy-open goal. We celebrated like all hell and it gave us just the boost we needed.
Sunderland were beginning to look defeated.
Stoke:4 - 1:Sunderland
Destruction was almost achieved, now to just leave them begging on the floor to make them grovel beneath my feet, praying for me to stop. It may not be possible in these last twenty minutes but I need a solo-goal.
The opportunity came to me in the 80th minute, with ten minutes left, I broke the ankles of Sunderland's midfield duo, Rigg and Ba, running past them, pressing the pace, I flicked the ball up into the air, and nutmegged Neill who stood motionless, accepting defeat. The thrill was too much for me, I wanted more.
I turned around, flicked the ball over the centre-back's head, and continued my solo run, Campbell and Laurent knew what was happening and stood by as a back-up to run in swoop the rebounds. I turned again, this time rouletting the other center-back, doing a 180-degree spin and completing a no-look shot, which sailed into the top corner as I was told, within the blink of an eye, no thought process into it. Just pure instinct,
Five Goal Contributions.
3 goals-hat trick
2 assists.
Top scorer in the league so far.
Stoke-5:1-Sunderland
The whistle blew for full time and I high-fived some fans as I walked along the sidelines. I took off my shirt and threw it into the crowd. What a debut.