Football System: Touchline God-Chapter 75: Controversy II

The game restarted with Luis Navarro at the center circle. Ishaan Bhatt was beside him.

[> "Can Rising Stars respond again?" <] Peter Walsh asked. [> "They’ve shown character before, but can they do it one more time?" <]

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

The French midfielder looked up. His team needed to stay calm.

[> "Rising Stars keeping possession," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "They need to weather this storm." <]

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 noted. [> "Rising Stars looking to hit back." <]

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

Whittaker cut inside, then outside. Foster stayed with him.

The cross came in. High and dangerous. Luis Navarro was waiting in the 18-yard box.

[> "NAVARRO IN THE BOX!" <] Michael Harrison shouted.

The Spanish striker rose above Tom Bradley. The header was powerful and well-directed.

James Mitchell was at full stretch. The keeper tipped it over the bar.

[> "SAVED!" <] Peter Walsh screamed. [> "Mitchell with another brilliant stop!" <]

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 goalward.

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

[> "Still 2-1 to Hastings Coastal Academy," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "But Northcastle Rising Stars are fighting." <]

The fourth official was preparing his board. Added time was approaching.

The game was forty-five minutes old. The first half was nearly over.

The ball dropped to Ishaan Bhatt. The number ten was already moving forward.

[> "Bhatt with the ball," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "Rising Stars’ creative spark." <]

Ishaan looked up and saw Luis Navarro making a run into the 18-yard box. The pass was perfect.

Luis controlled it with his first touch. Tom Bradley was already challenging.

[> "Luis Navarro in the box again," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "He’s been their biggest threat." <]

The striker tried to turn, but Bradley was strong. The defender held his ground.

Luis rolled the ball to his left, trying to create space. Bradley went with him, muscle for muscle.

As Luis pulled back his foot to shoot, the defender slid in from the side.

The tackle was mistimed. Bradley caught Luis on the ankle.

[> "SURELY, THAT’S A FOUL!" <] Peter Walsh shouted. [> "Bradley caught him!" <]

Luis went down hard. He rolled around, clutching his ankle in pain.

The Rising Stars players were appealing immediately. They surrounded the referee.

"PENALTY! PENALTY!" they shouted.

The away fans were on their feet. Two hundred voices screaming for justice.

"PENALTY! PENALTY!" they chanted.

The referee was already moving. He had a clear view of the incident.

But he was waving his arms. No penalty.

[> "NO PENALTY!" <] Michael Harrison screamed. [> "The referee waves it away!" <]

The Rising Stars players were furious. They couldn’t believe the decision.

"That’s a penalty!" Jack Stones shouted. "He caught him!"

Luis was still on the ground. The striker was in genuine pain.

"How is that not a penalty?" Will van Drunen protested. "He’s cleaned him out!"

The referee stood firm. His decision was final.

[> "The referee says no penalty," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "Rising Stars feel hard done by." <]

On the touchline, Maddox was exploding. He was screaming at the fourth official.

"THAT’S A FUCKING PENALTY!" he yelled. "YOU’VE GIVEN THEM ONE FOR NOTHING!"

The assistant coach had to hold him back. Maddox was furious.

"HOW IS THAT NOT A PENALTY?" he screamed. "YOU’RE HAVING A LAUGH!"

The referee heard the commotion. He turned toward the touchline.

[> "The referee is looking at the Rising Stars bench," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "Eric Maddox is not happy." <]

The official was already reaching for his pocket. Yellow card.

[> "MADDOX HAS BEEN CAUTIONED!" <] Peter Walsh shouted. [> "The manager gets a booking!" <]

The Rising Stars coach was still furious. He was shouting at the fourth official.

"THAT’S A DISGRACE!" he yelled. "ABSOLUTE DISGRACE!"

The assistant coach was trying to calm him down. The situation was getting heated.

[> "Eric Maddox needs to be careful," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "Another booking and he’ll be sent off." <]

The away fans were going wild. They were hurling abuse at the referee.

"CHEAT! CHEAT! CHEAT!" they chanted.

The atmosphere was toxic. The referee had lost control.

[> "This is getting nasty," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "The referee’s decisions have caused chaos." <]

The fourth official was holding up his board. Three minutes of added time.

[> "Three minutes to be added," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "Plenty of time for more drama." <]

The game restarted with a drop ball. Both teams were still arguing.

[> "Rising Stars feel they’ve been robbed," <] Peter Walsh said. [> "Two penalty decisions gone against them." <]

The ball dropped to Connor Davis. The Hastings midfielder was already moving forward.

[> "Hastings looking to see out the half," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "They lead 2-1." <]

Davis played the ball to Nathan Price. The winger was already running at tired legs.

Nathan took on Marcelo. The Brazilian defender was struggling.

[> "Price with the ball," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "Hastings looking dangerous on the counter." <]

The winger cut inside, away from the touchline. His left foot was cocked.

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

Freddie Booth was already moving. The keeper got his fingertips to the ball.

This time, it was enough. The ball went wide for a corner.

[> "SAVED!" <] Michael Harrison shouted. [> "Booth with another crucial stop!" <]

The corner kick was taken by Connor Davis. The ball was aimed at the back post.

Marcus Price rose highest. The striker’s header was goalward.

Jack Stones was on the line. The captain cleared it away.

[> "Still 2-1," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "Hastings looking to close out the half." <]

The added time was ticking away. The first half was nearly over.

The ball dropped to Luis Navarro. The Spanish striker was still limping.

[> "Navarro still feeling that challenge," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "He’s been their best player." <]

Luis played the ball to Ishaan Bhatt. The number ten was already moving forward.

[> "Rising Stars with one last chance," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "They need something before half-time." <]

Ishaan looked up and saw Ethan Suleiman making a run down the right wing. The pass was perfect.

Suleiman controlled it and started another attack. The away fans were on their feet.

[> "Suleiman with pace," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "He’s got the beating of the left-back." <]

The winger took on Ryan Clarke. The defender was struggling to keep up.

Suleiman cut inside, away from the touchline. His left foot was cocked.

The shot came from the edge of the 18-yard box. Rising toward the top corner.

James Mitchell was at full stretch. The keeper tipped it over the bar.

[> "SAVED!" <] Peter Walsh screamed. [> "Mitchell with another brilliant stop!" <]

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 captain cleared it away.

The referee was already looking at his watch. The first half was over.

Fweeee! Fweeeeee!~

The whistle blew.

[> "HALF-TIME HERE AT THE COASTAL ARENA!" <] Michael Harrison shouted. [> "Hastings lead 2-1!" <]

The players trudged off the pitch. The Rising Stars team looked dejected.

[> "A controversial first half," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "Two penalty decisions that could define this match." <]

On the touchline, Maddox was still fuming. He was shouting at the referee as he left the pitch.

"THAT’S A DISGRACE!" he yelled. "ABSOLUTE DISGRACE!"

The assistant coach was still trying to calm him down. The situation was still heated.

[> "Maddox needs to be careful," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "He’s already been booked." <]

The away fans were still singing. They were backing their team despite the controversy.

[> "Rising Stars have been the better team," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "But they’re behind on the scoreboard." <]

The players disappeared down the tunnel. The half-time team talks would be crucial.

[> "Fascinating first half," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "But the real drama is still to come." <]

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