Chapter 15: Battle of York Part 1: It hurts.

Matchday at The YORK CITY Community Stadium.

York City takes on Supa Strikas.

Commentator< welcome football fans and casuals alike to this fantastic game of football we have for you today. A friendly match is on the cards today as a fired-up York City want to continue their unbeaten run of 13 games whilst Supa Strikas will try to get into the groove of pre-season as they search for their first win today.> Inside the Supa Strikas Dressing room.

"OK boys, we are changing up somethings today as we will be playing A different formation. We will be using a 4-4-2 diamond wide formation today. Our goalkeeper will be Scelo Sokhulu (16), a defense of Kyle van Jaarsveld (15) and Ryan Davids (45) as our full backs. Jack Green (3) and Lucas Myeza (24) at center back. Pule Motaung (6) at CDM and Menzi Makhoba (14) at Attacking mid. Taiko Suzuki (70) and Duke Helmesy (29) on the wings. Mateo Garcia (99) will play target forward whilst Theo Von Neek (18) will play poacher. Now get out there and win this." Spenza announced at the team began walking out into the walkway. Spenza grabbed Scelo by the arm, signaling him to stay behind.

"Yes Coach. The game is about to start." Scelo said, looking worried.

"How many minutes?" Spenza said, seemingly alluding to something.

"Minutes for what?" Scelo said, looking confused.

"How many minutes until I have to substitute you out. Stop playing dumb with me because I can see when one of my players is injured." Spenza said, looking angry.

"I don't know. 20, maybe 30. All I know is that I'm one bad bump away from retiring." Scelo said, as his body relaxed and began to ease.

"So, you want this to be your final game huh? And why did you not tell us sooner so we could get a replacement ready?" Spenza said, sitting down in one of the benches and scratching his head.

"Because I want you to give them a chance. Those two have the potential to be the best goalkeepers in the world but no one has ever given either of them a chance." Scelo said, as he put on the captain's armband.

"I see. Who else knows about this? Medical?" Spenza said, looking distressed.

"Nah, just Mark and you who figured it out." Scelo said as he began to walk out.

"Just make sure you last at least 30 minutes." Spenza said as Mark walked out, he saw Alex talking to someone near the York Lockeroom. Scelo just walked past and went to join his teammates in the lineout. Meanwhile, Alex was talking to his brother. Harry Goliath. A player in the European conference league.

"Look Alex, stop being a bitter kid and decide already. London is a great place. Just sign the Damm thing." Harry said, in a posh English accent.

"Look man, you ain't about to force me to sign for that stupid club." Alex responded.

"I know you don't like me. But this is for your future. I am doing this for you. Don't be like me Alex, I may be called one of the best players in the world, but it means nothing since I have achieved nothing. Loyalty is great but is it worth it?" Harry said, trying to plead with Alex.

"I know. But you are loyal. If you left, they would praise you like a god because those fans understand. You have given your life to them with no reward. Me on the other hand, I wanna try giving my life to something to. I am not going to go to a place where my brother is a god just so I can be compared to him every touch I make. Is that a future you want for me? Harry?" Alex said. Patting Harry on the shoulder as he began to walk away.

"I haven't told anyone this. Not even dad. But I'm leaving next season. I'm leaving my boyhood club next season.

This will be my last season in England probably." Harry said as Alex turned around with a shocked look on his face.

Some moments later...

The match has started, and both teams seem to be in a deadlock, attacking and defending on both sides as the first ten minutes go past.

"That fool. Why is he doing this shit?" Alex thought to himself, running on the field whilst wearing the number 5 jersey written -Goliath Jr.-

"He is a literal god there. Statues will be erected in his name. And yet he wants to leave. Leave the only place that gave him a chance? Why?" Alex was filled with angry thoughts as he got the ball on his feet, before pummeling it to the sky.

"Wake up dummy." Gillimore said, slapping Alex on the head.

"I'm awake. Fixed your issues yet?" Alex asked, slapping Gillimore back.

"Yeah. Let's get into this game now. Time to win this in the most dominant way possible." Gillimore said, running faster towards the center as the ball got to Alex's feet.

"Yeah. Let's attack." Alex said as he passed the ball to his teammates whilst also moving upfield. The team held a high line as they passed the ball back and forth through the field. As the ball was passed to Gillimore who wore the number 11 shirt, the game began to pick up pace. Gillimore began Ning furiously with the ball down the right flank of the field, before passing the ball back to one of his teammates when Ryan pressed him. "Move away kid. This is my flank." Gillimore said, attempting to shake of Ryan's marking.

"Sorry man, my job is to neutralize you. By any means necessary." Ryan said as Gillimore continued trying to escape from Ryan whilst play continued on the other side.

"Then do your best." Gillimore said, as the ball got to his feet again before doing an impressive skill move with his feet and managing to confuse Ryan enough to dribble past him and run towards the Supa Strikas goal. However, a huge tackle came in from Jack Green who quickly got the ball and passed it back to Ryan.

"Sorry namesake. You ain't getting past me." Jack said running after Ryan who had passed the ball into the Middlefield.

"Thanks Ry! Mateo, it's yours" Puel said, getting the ball before passing it high towards Mateo who jumped up to relieve it with his chest but saw a huge boot right in front of his face kicking the ball away before landing on his back.

Alex had cleared it.

"I promise yah. No one is getting past me!" Alex said, standing up and dusting himself in front of Mateo.

"Menzi, get the rebound!" Mateo shouted as Menzi raved to get the ball before passing it to Taiko who ran down the left flank, attempting to cross it in towards Mateo but a huge header by Alex once again save York.

"Be serious for once. Like I said. No ball is getting past me." Alex said, as the ball calmly landed on his feet before he pummeled it towards Gillimore. Gillimore caught it with his feet before running down the middle, dribbling past the two Defenders before reaching the outside box. Where he let of a powerful curling shot towards the left crossbar. But Scelo made a huge dive, punching the ball out for a corner. But he fell down pretty hard and started screaming in pain as he clutched his left shoulder.

On the bench.

"Dame, get dressed. You are coming on." Spenza said as Dame quickly began to wear his goalkeeping kit.

"Are you serious? Looks like a simple bump to me. A splash of water and he will be fine." North said.

"Yeah. Unfortunately. Scelo has played his last game for the club." Spenza said as he went to talk to the fourth official whilst Scel was being checked out by medical.

On the field.

"Are you alright bro?" Jack said as the medical team came onto the field with a stretcher. "Nah. I'm in pain bro. Feels like my arm is being ripped off." Scelo replied, still crutching his arm "Think you can still play?" One of the medical officers said, checking him out.

"Nah, I can't even move it." Scelo replied as the medical officer signaled Spenza to make the change.

The fourth official then Showed Scelo's number (16) on the board in red before showing Dame's number (32) in green as Dame ran onto the field whilst carrying his goalkeeping gloves as Scelo was being stretched off.

Whilst everyone was still shocked by the event just twenty minutes into the game. Alex seemed lost. Looking at a viewing box inside the stadium where Harry was watching.