Football System: Touchline God-Chapter 74: Controversy I

The forty-first minute...

Both teams were still creating chances. The game was wide open.

Connor Davis collected the ball in the center circle. He looked up and saw Marcus Price making a run into the 18-yard box.

[> "Davis with the ball," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Hastings looking to retake the lead before half-time." <]

The pass was weighted perfectly. Marcus controlled it with his back to goal.

Jack Stones was tight behind him. The captain stayed strong, not giving the striker any space.

[> "Price in the 18-yard box," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "He’s been a constant threat all evening." <]

Marcus tried to turn, but Jack held his ground. The defender was doing everything right.

The striker played the ball back to Ben Williams. The lone midfielder was a few yards out.

Williams struck it first time. The shot was hurtling toward the bottom corner.

Will van Drunen threw himself in front of it. The ball deflected off his shin.

[> "BLOCKED!" <] Michael Harrison shouted. [> "Van Drunen with another timely intervention!" <]

The ball bounced loose in the penalty area. Players from both teams rushed toward it.

Nathan Price got there first. The winger controlled it on the edge of the 18-yard box.

[> "Price with the loose ball," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "This is dangerous for Northcastle Rising Stars." <]

Nathan looked up and saw his brother Marcus making another run in-behind his marker. He dipped long one in with a slight curl. The cross was perfect.

Marcus was already moving. He timed his run perfectly, beating the offside trap.

[> "MARCUS PRICE!" <] Michael Harrison screamed. [> "He’s through!" <]

The striker was six yards out. Freddie Booth was already off his line, making himself look big and trying to narrow the angle.

Marcus steadied himself. The goal was at his mercy now.

As he pulled back his foot to shoot, Will van Drunen slid in from the side.

The Dutch defender’s tackle was perfectly timed. He got the ball cleanly.

But Marcus, not willing to let this golden chance slip by, was already faking a fall. The striker tumbled over van Drunen’s outstretched leg with theatrical perfection—an act that’ll make the best of Hollywood actors blush in shame of their inferiority.

[> "VAN DRUNEN WITH THE TACKLE!" <] Peter Walsh shouted. [> "Clean as a whistle!" <]

Though, not everyone had the same judgement.

The referee was already moving towards the them. He looked like he had a clearer view of the incident.

As Marcus Price hit the ground hard. He rolled around, clutching his ankle, whilst tears rolled down his cheeks.

[> "Price is down and looks like he’s in serious pain," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "The striker is claiming a penalty." <]

The home crowd was on its feet. Seven thousand voices screaming for a penalty.

"PENALTY! PENALTY!" they chanted.

The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. His decision was instant.

[> "PENALTY TO HASTINGS COASTAL ACADEMY!" <] Peter Walsh screamed. [> "The referee has given it!" <]

The Rising Stars players were furious. They surrounded the official immediately.

"No way!" Jack Stones shouted. "He got the ball first!"

Will van Drunen was shaking his head. The defender was certain he’d made a clean tackle.

"I got the ball, ref!" he protested. "That’s never a penalty!"

The referee stood firm, not influenced by their reactions as he flashed Van Drunen a yellow card. His decision was final.

[> "The referee has pointed to the spot, and we have our first booking for the night." <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Hastings have a penalty." <]

On the touchline, Maddox was furious. He was shouting at the fourth official.

"That’s never a penalty!" he screamed. "He got the ball!"

The away fans were going wild. Boos and cusses echoed around the stadium.

[> "The Rising Stars bench is not happy," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "They feel hard done by." <]

The instigator, Marcus Price, who was supposedly in grave pain, was surprisingly back on his feet with the ball in hand. The striker was preparing to take the penalty.

[> "Price will take it himself," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "He’s the man for the big moments." <]

The Rising Stars players were still arguing with the referee. Jack Stones was the most vocal.

"You’ve made a mistake, ref!" the captain shouted. "That was a clean tackle!"

The referee had heard enough. He reached for his pocket.

Yellow card. A booking for dissent.

[> "Stones has been cautioned. Two yellow cards now for Northcastle Rising Stars." <] Peter Walsh said. [> "The captain letting his emotions get the better of him." <]

The penalty area was cleared. Only Marcus Price and Freddie Booth remained.

[> "This is a huge moment," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "A goal here could decide the match." <]

The young goalkeeper was trying to stay calm. He bounced on his toes, trying to unsettle the striker.

[> "Booth needs to pick a side," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "Price is a good penalty taker." <]

The referee checked both players were ready. The crowd was deafening.

Marcus placed the ball on the spot. He took five steps back.

[> "Price ready to take it," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Can Booth pull off a miracle?" <]

The striker began his run-up. Slow and deliberate.

Freddie Booth was already moving. He’d guessed right, diving to his left.

The shot was low and hard. Aimed at the bottom corner.

But the keeper was already there. His fingertips touched the ball.

For a moment, it looked like a save. The crowd held its breath.

But the ball had too much power. It squeezed under Booth’s body and into the net.

[> "GOOOOOOOOOAL!" <] Michael Harrison screamed. [> "MARCUS PRICE SCORES FROM THE SPOT!" <]

The home crowd erupted. The noise was deafening.

Marcus Price was already running toward the corner flag. His teammates chased after him.

[> "Booth got a hand to it," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "But it wasn’t enough." <]

The striker slid on his knees in front of the home crowd. The celebration was wild.

[> "Forty-three minutes played," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Hastings Coastal Academy lead 2-1." <]

The Rising Stars players looked devastated. They’d fought back to 1-1, but now they were behind again.

[> "Cruel blow for Northcastle Rising Stars," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "They felt that penalty was harsh." <]

On the touchline, Maddox was still fuming. He was shouting at the fourth official.

"That’s never a penalty!" he yelled. "You’ve robbed us!"

The restart was delayed as both teams reorganized. The atmosphere was toxic.

[> "Rising Stars need to regroup quickly," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "There’s still time before half-time." <]

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