Football System: Touchline God-Chapter 71: Rising Stars Succumb To Pressure

Nathan Price put his hands on his head. The crowd groaned in disbelief. Even both the coaches prowling the technical area were looking wide-eyed at the spectacle, jaw dropping speechlessly, utterly confounded.

[> "Hastings are dominant but still level after a flurry of intense attacking rounds. But still, no blood is drawn yet. Though, it’s only a matter of time." <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "They need to take one of these chances, or it may come back to haunt them in the most gruesome way." <]

The game was eighteen minutes old. Rising Stars were hanging on by a thread.

On the touchline, Maddox regained his bearings and began shouting instructions. His team needed to weather this storm, at least, for the remainder of the first half.

[> "Compact! Stay compact!" <] he yelled. [> "Don’t give them space!" <]

The goal kick was taken by Freddie Booth. The ball was pumped long toward Luis Navarro, just beyond the halfway line.

Tom Bradley won the header easily. The ball dropped to Ben Williams.

[> "Hastings straight back on the attack," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "They smell blood." <]

Williams played the ball to Connor Davis. The playmaker was already moving forward.

Harvey Quinlan came across to challenge. The two midfielders clashed in the center circle.

Davis was stronger. He held off Harvey and played the ball wide to Nathan Price.

The winger controlled it and started another attack. The crowd was on its feet.

[> "Price on the ball again," <] Peter Walsh said. [> "He’s been their most dangerous player." <]

Nathan looked up and saw Sam Rodriguez making a run on the far side. He booted the ball long to his direction. The cross-field pass was perfect.

Rodriguez controlled it with his first touch. Ollie Pritchard was already moving across to bar his path.

The winger cut inside, away from the defender, leaving him flat-footed. His left foot was cocked.

[> "Rodriguez in shooting position," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "He’s got that wicked left foot." <]

The shot came from twenty yards out. Low and hard, aimed at the bottom left corner.

Freddie Booth dove to his right, eyes locked on the ball. The young keeper got his fingertips to the ball.

But this time, it wasn’t enough. The ball crept inside the post.

[> "GOOOOOOOOOAL!" <] Peter Walsh screamed. [> "HASTINGS TAKE THE LEAD!" <]

The home crowd erupted in cheers. Seven thousand plus voices singing as one.

Sam Rodriguez was already running toward the corner flag. His teammates chased after him.

[> "Rodriguez with the breakthrough for Hastings Coastal Academy!" <] Michael Harrison shouted. [> "That dangerous left foot finds the bottom corner!" <]

The winger slid on his knees in front of the home crowd. The noise was deafening.

[> "Twenty minutes played so far," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "Hastings Coastal Academy finally get their reward." <]

The Northcastle Rising Stars players looked devastated. They’d defended so well, but couldn’t hold out.

Jack Stones gathered his team in the center circle. The captain was shouting encouragement.

[> "Keep going! We’re still in this!" <] he yelled.

On the touchline, Maddox was furious. Not at his players, but at the situation.

[> "Unlucky, lads!" <] he shouted. [> "We go again!" <]

The replay on the stadium’s big screen showed the goal in slow motion. Rodriguez cutting inside, the shot curling away from Freddie Booth.

[> "Brilliant finish," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Rodriguez picked his spot perfectly." <]

The celebration continued for another twenty odd seconds. The Hastings players were pumped up.

[> "This crowd is electric now," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "They can smell a big win." <]

The restart was delayed as both teams reorganized. Rising Stars looked shell-shocked.

[> "This is where character matters," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "How do Northcastle Rising Stars respond?" <]

Luis Navarro stood over the ball at the center circle. Ishaan Bhatt was beside him.

The referee checked his watch. Both teams were ready. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Fweeeee!

The whistle blew. The game restarted.

[> "Can Rising Stars hit back immediately?" <] Peter Walsh asked. [> "They’ll need to show some fight." <]

Luis touched the ball to Ishaan. The midfielder immediately played it back to Émile Fournier.

The French midfielder looked up, surveying the pitch. His team needed composure.

[> "Rising Stars trying to keep possession," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "They need to calm things down." <]

Fournier played the ball to Harvey Quinlan. The midfielder was already moving forward.

Harvey found Declan Whittaker with a pass down the left wing. The winger controlled it well.

[> "Whittaker with the ball," <] Peter Walsh said. [> "Rising Stars looking to attack." <]

The winger drove forward at Dylan Foster. The right-back was ready for the challenge.

Whittaker cut inside, then outside, trying to turn his marker inside-out. But Foster stayed with him, locked on like predator to prey.

Having no alternatives left, he let loose a cross. The cross came in high and dangerous. Luis Navarro was waiting in the 18-yard box.

Tom Bradley got there first. The captain headed the ball clear.

[> "Good defending from Bradley," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "He’s marshaling that defense well." <]

The ball dropped to Connor Davis. The playmaker was already looking to start another attack.

[> "Hastings looking to double their lead," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "They’re in complete control." <]

Davis played the ball to Nathan Price. The winger was full of confidence after the goal.

Nathan took on Marcelo. The Brazilian defender was struggling to keep up.

[> "Price causing problems again," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "He’s got the beating of the left-back." <]

The cross came in. Low and dangerous. Marcus Price was already moving.

Jack Stones got there first. The captain cleared the ball with his head.

[> "Stones with another crucial intervention," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "He’s keeping Rising Stars in this game." <]

The ball found its way to Émile Fournier. The French midfielder controlled it calmly.

[> "Rising Stars need to keep the ball," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "They’re chasing shadows at the moment." <]

Fournier played the ball to Ishaan Bhatt. The number ten had space to work with.

[> "Bhatt in possession," <] Peter Walsh said. [> "He’s their creative spark." <]

Ishaan sent a long ball to the right wing. The pass was perfect, weighted just right for Ethan Suleiman to run onto.

The winger was through on goal. Just him and James Mitchell.

[> "SULEIMAN’S THROUGH!" <] Michael Harrison screamed. [> "This could be the equalizer!" <]

The crowd held its breath. Everything seemed to slow down.

Suleiman steadied himself. The goal was at his mercy.

The shot was aimed at the bottom corner. Low and hard.

James Mitchell dove to his left. The keeper’s outstretched hand pushed the ball wide.

[> "SAVED!" <] Peter Walsh shouted. [> "Mitchell with a crucial stop!" <]

The crowd erupted in relief. Their keeper had kept the lead intact.

[> "What a chance that was," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Suleiman will be disappointed." <]

The corner kick was taken by Émile Fournier. The ball was whipped in toward the near post.

Will van Drunen rose to meet it. The Dutch defender’s header was powerful.

Tom Bradley was on the line. The Hastings captain cleared it away.

[> "Still 1-0 to Hastings Coastal Academy," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "But Northcastle Rising Stars are showing some fight." <]

The game was twenty-five minutes old. The lead was slender but crucial.

On the touchline, both managers were animated. Every decision mattered now.

[> "Keep pressing!" <] Maddox shouted. [> "We’re getting there!" <]

The crowd was fully engaged. Every tackle, every pass, every shot was met with noise.

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