Football System: Touchline God-Chapter 70: Northcastle Rising Stars VS Hastings Coastal Academy II

Chapter 70: Northcastle Rising Stars VS Hastings Coastal Academy II

The corner kick was cleared by Tom Bradley. The ball bounced in the center circle, where Jake Thompson was waiting.

The Hastings defensive midfielder controlled it with his chest. Harvey Quinlan pressed forward, trying to win it back.

Thompson was too quick. He turned away from Harvey and played the ball wide to Nathan Price.

[> "Hastings on the counter," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "They’re looking to hit back after that pressure. Things are building up now." <]

Nathan Price took the ball in his stride. Marcelo was already moving across to close him down.

The winger waited for the defender to commit. Then he cut inside, away from the touchline.

[> "Price with the ball," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "He’s got that burst of pace." <]

Will van Drunen came across to help. There were two defenders now facing the winger.

Nathan looked up and saw his brother Marcus Price making a run into the 18-yard box. Without hesitation, he lobbed an up-through ball over his markers. The pass was weighted perfectly.

Marcus Price controlled the ball with his back to goal. Jack Stones was tight behind him.

[> "Marcus Price in the 18-yard box," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "He’s got the strength to hold off defenders. Can Jack Stones handle him alone!?" <]

The striker rolled Jack Stones with his shoulder, nudging him to create an opening to shoot. The captain held his ground, but Marcus Price was strong.

Seeing that he couldn’t overpower Jack Stones with his strength alone, Marcus Price did a quick turn, maneuvering away from his sticky marker.

With the obstacle temporarily gone, Marcus was facing goal now, unobstructed. Freddie Booth was off his line immediately, trying to narrow the angle.

[> "PRICE SHOOTS!" <] Peter Walsh shouted.

The shot was low and hard. Freddie Booth threw himself to his right. His fingertips touched the ball, but it was not enough.

Fortunately, the touch diverted its path slightly and the ball hit the inside of the post.

CLANG!

It bounced back into play.

[> "OFF THE POST!" <] Michael Harrison screamed. [> "So close for Hastings!" <]

But it wasn’t over yet as the rebound fell to Connor Davis. The playmaker was six yards out with an open goal and no marker on him.

Time slowed down. The crowd held its breath.

Davis struck the ball cleanly. It was heading for the bottom corner.

But Jack Stones appeared from nowhere. The captain threw himself in front of the shot.

The ball hit him square in the chest and deflected off its intended path. He went down hard, clutching his ribs in pain.

[> "STONES WITH THE BLOCK!" <] Peter Walsh shouted. [> "What a captain indeed! Incredible block from arguably one of the best center-back in the youth leagues" <]

The crowd groaned, though both showing different reactions. But they had one thing in common, eyes wide open in disbelief.

"That should have been the opening goal!"

"What sorcery is this.....!?"

"Another chance gone!"

Jack Stones was still rolling on the ground, winded. The physio was already moving toward him.

"Stay down, Jack!" Maddox shouted from the touchline. "Take your time!"

But Jack was already getting up. He waved the physio away.

"I’m fine," he gasped. "Let’s keep playing."

The game restarted with an indirect freekick for Northcastle Rising Stars. Freddie Booth looked shaken after the close call.

[> "That’s two massive chances for Hastings," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "They’re starting to dominate." <]

The goalkeeper kicked the ball long. It found Luis Navarro near the halfway line.

The Spanish striker controlled it well, but Tom Bradley was already challenging.

Bradley won the header. The ball dropped to Ben Williams in midfield.

[> "Hastings winning the second balls, and it’s not looking good for the Rising Stars." Peter Walsh observed. [> "They’re taking control now." <]

Williams played the ball to Connor Davis. The number ten had time to look up.

Ishaan Bhatt was pressing forward, trying to close him down. But Davis was too quick.

A clever pass found Sam Rodriguez on the left wing. The winger was already moving.

[> "Rodriguez with space," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "He’s got that dangerous left foot." <]

Ollie Pritchard came across to challenge. The right-back was determined not to let Rodriguez past.

The winger cut inside, away from the touchline. Pritchard stayed with him tight, like women to money.

Rodriguez looked up and saw Marcus Price making another run. The cross was perfect.

[> "CROSS INTO THE 18-YARD BOX!" <] Peter Walsh shouted.

Marcus Price rose above Will van Drunen. The header was powerful and well-directed.

Freddie Booth was rooted to the spot. The ball was heading for the top corner.

At the last second, it crashed off the crossbar.

CLANG!

The crowd erupted in frustration.

[> "OFF THE BAR AGAIN!" <] Michael Harrison screamed. [> "Hastings were inches away from taking the lead!" <]

The ball bounced down toward the goal line. Freddie Booth scrambled to collect it.

But Connor Davis was already there. The midfielder pounced on the loose ball.

[> "DAVIS ON THE REBOUND!" <] Peter Walsh shouted.

The shot was from close range. Freddie Booth was still on the ground.

Will van Drunen appeared in the goal mouth. The defender headed the ball off the line.

[> "CLEARED OFF THE LINE!" <] Michael Harrison screamed. [> "Van Drunen to the rescue!" <]

The crowd was going wild. Hastings had hit the woodwork twice in forty seconds.

[> "This is incredible drama here in the Coastal Arena," <] Peter Walsh said. [> "Hastings are throwing everything at Rising Stars." <]

The ball dropped to Jake Thompson. The defensive midfielder was twenty yards out.

He struck it first time. The shot was rising, heading for the top corner.

Jack Stones jumped and deflected it over the bar. Another crucial intervention.

[> "STONES AGAIN!" <] Michael Harrison shouted. [> "The captain is everywhere!" <]

The corner kick was taken by Connor Davis. The ball was whipped in toward the near post.

Marcus Price was waiting. He flicked it on with his head toward the far post.

Nathan Price was arriving late. The winger met the ball with his left foot.

[> "NATHAN PRICE!" <] Peter Walsh screamed. [> "He must score!" <]

The shot was goalward. Freddie Booth was at full stretch.

His fingertips touched the ball, but it wasn’t enough. The ball was creeping toward the corner.

At the last second, it hit the outside of the post. Wide by inches.

[> "WIDE!" <] Michael Harrison shouted. [> "How did that miss?" <]

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