Football System: Touchline God-Chapter 78: The Second Half Begins II

Marcus shot early. The ball was rising toward the top corner.

Freddie Booth threw himself at it. His fingertips touched the ball ever so slightly.

But it did just enough to push it over the bar.

[> "SAVED!" <] Peter Walsh yelled. [> "What a save from Booth!" <]

The away fans exploded, sighs of relief echoing in the Coastal Arena. Their young keeper had kept them in the game.

[> "Brilliant from Booth," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "That’s top-class goalkeeping." <]

Marcus Price had his hands on his head. He couldn’t believe it.

"How’s he saved that?" he said to himself.

The corner kick was taken quickly. Connor Davis whipped it in.

This time, Tom Bradley rose highest. The captain’s header was goalward.

Again, Freddie Booth was there. The keeper punched it clear.

[> "Booth again!" <] Peter Walsh screamed. [> "He’s keeping Rising Stars alive!" <]

The ball dropped to Ben Williams. The midfielder struck it first time.

The shot was blocked by Marcelo. The left-back was in the right place.

[> "Still 2-1," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "But Hastings are dominant in the early stages of the second half." <]

The clock showed forty-eight minutes. Only three minutes of the second half played so far. But if asked, the Rising Stars players would think otherwise.

[> "Rising Stars under real pressure, Eric Maddox never saw this coming." <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "They need to weather this storm." <]

The ball was played back to James Mitchell. The Hastings keeper had time.

Mitchell looked up and saw Nathan Price making a run. The keeper’s long-ball distribution was excellent.

[> "Mitchell finding Price," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Good vision from the keeper." <]

Nathan controlled it on the right wing. Marcelo was already tracking back to defend.

The winger took him on. One step inside, then outside again.

The cross came in high. Marcus Price was waiting in the 18-yard box.

But Jack Stones was there first. The captain headed it clear.

[> "Stones with the clearance," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "The Rising Stars captain is having a busy evening." <]

The ball dropped to Émile Fournier. The midfielder was already looking to start another attack.

[> "Fournier with the ball," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "Rising Stars trying to break out." <]

Fournier played it short to Harvey Quinlan. The midfielder took a touch and looked forward.

The pass came to Luis Navarro. The striker had dropped deep to collect, guiding the ball from his marker.

[> "Navarro deeper," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "He’s trying to get involved." <]

Luis turned and faced goal, almost thirty yards away with his leg cocked. Tom Bradley was already positioning himself to block the strike.

Luis thought it twice and instead, he opted for a pass. The pass came left to Declan Whittaker. The winger was running at Dylan Foster again.

[> "Whittaker vs Foster," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Round two of this battle." <]

This time, Foster stood his ground. The defender didn’t dive in.

Whittaker tried to cut inside, but Foster was ready. The tackle was excellent, and he made a clean steal.

[> "Foster with the tackle," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "Much better from the right-back." <]

The ball broke to Connor Davis. The Hastings midfielder was already thinking ahead.

Davis played it wide to Nathan Price. The winger was in space again.

[> "Price with room to work," <] Michael Harrison noted. [> "Hastings looking dangerous on the counter." <]

Nathan drove forward. His pace was causing problems for Marcelo.

The cross came in early. Low and dangerous across the six-yard box.

Marcus Price was sliding in at the back post. The striker just needed a touch.

But Freddie Booth was there first. The keeper gathered it bravely.

[> "Booth claims it!" <] Peter Walsh screamed. [> "Another crucial intervention!" <]

The young keeper rolled to his feet. His confidence was growing.

[> "Booth is having the game of his life," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "Three brilliant saves already." <]

The clock showed fifty minutes. Five minutes of the second half played.

[> "Hastings have started the second half brilliantly," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "But they still can’t find that third goal." <]

The away fans were still singing in support. They could see their team was struggling.

"Come on, you Stars!" they chanted. "Never give up!"

On the touchline, Maddox was getting animated. He was shouting instructions.

"Get higher!" he yelled at his midfielders. "Press them!"

The Rising Stars were slowly finding their rhythm. The storm was gray passing.

[> "Rising Stars starting to settle," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "They’ve weathered the early pressure." <]

Luis Navarro collected the ball in his own half. The striker was tracking back to help.

[> "Navarro working hard," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "He’s leading by example." <]

Luis played it to Ishaan Bhatt. The number ten had space to turn.

[> "Bhatt with time," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "This could be dangerous." <]

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

[> "Suleiman in space," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "Finally, some respite for Rising Stars." <]

The winger controlled it and started running at Ryan Clarke. The left-back was ready.

But Suleiman had pace and skill. He shifted the ball to his right foot.

The shot came from the edge of the box. Rising toward the far corner.

James Mitchell was at full stretch. The keeper tipped it wide.

[> "SAVED!" <] Michael Harrison screamed. [> "Mitchell with a vital stop!" <]

The Rising Stars fans were on their feet. Finally, their team was fighting back.

[> "That’s more like it from Rising Stars," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "They’re not giving up." <]

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.

[> "Still 2-1," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "But Rising Stars are growing into this half." <]

The game was opening up. Both teams were creating chances.

[> "This is turning into a classic," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "End-to-end stuff." <]

The clock showed fifty-one minutes. The second half was settling into its rhythm.

Both teams knew the next goal would be crucial. The game was far from over.

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