CHAPTER 4: THE TURN AROUND

The match hadn't even gone on for two mins since the restart and we already had a bar and a counter, that was to say the match was heating up and fast.

But like any other professional or youth match, subs were allowed. The first one out was the most annoying.. Charlie. It wasn't really as much of a shocker as you'd think with how high stakes this match was, no one would blame the coach for subbing him off, after all this was a final not a friendly, keep wasting chances and the whole school might be heading home empty handed.

The man of the moment was fuming as he walk off the pitch, he had wasted what could be his only chance to hit big in the professional football life, he stared at Ethan with eyes filled with hatred, somehow you got the feeling that like any other petty villain in a web novel, his failure would get blamed on you.

He looked up to the stands with pleading eyes, 'Maybe.. just maybe he would get a glance from the scout, at least a glance' but even that was denied by the high court of reality, the scout was chatting with a bystander, too engrossed to notice.

The match pace slowed down after a few more subs and both teams, although getting a few scuffles and chances, didn't produce any goals either.

The crowd watched in anticipation as the clock winded down to its last 10mins unknowingly teetering closer to the edge of their seat. The ball passed from one foot to the other, it's bearer looked up and dark brown hair shimmered lightly at the edge of his eyes almost blocking his view but he paid them no mind, he looked back down at his feet and whipped the ball into a open space in behind the opponent defensive midfielder and all the way to the other wing where the right winger was waiting impatiently.

The ball moved closer and closer to the 18 yard area and was whipped into the box, the header from Diego leaving not much to desire as it was cleared away. Ethan was at the edge of the box when the ball swerved to him, he controlled it and took a look at the goal right in front of him.

The crowd got rowdy once again and the defenders switched targets at breakneck speed but the world in Ethan's eyes slowed down, his heart thumped loudly against his chest and sweat stuck to his forehead, one question came to his mind as he trapped the ball.

'Should I miss it instead?' he took a peek at Charlie from the corner of his eyes but no more than that, he already knew the answer.

It wouldn't be fair to the coach who put up his sleepless nights for this match…

It won't be fair to the fans who took out the time to cheer for their relatives and friends…

It won't be fair to his sister who needed the money to start a new school…

It won't be fair most of all to his mom who was trying out different things just to make ends meet…

Ethan breathed out and his mind cleared, he has to get that spot.

The first defender was a big lanky guy, he looked huge but no matter how large he was it wouldn't have made any difference especially when he rushed over from one player to the other, all Ethan had to do was to shift the ball away from him and nature would take its course.

As Ethan evaded the lanky defender, the others rearranged themselves in front of him to block out the post and Diego, It almost looked like a set piece.

Ethan spun the ball forward with his right leg before cutting past a defender with his left, he went left and the rest followed and as his mind clicked and spun on how to get through he shot out his leg, picked his spot and pulled the trigger.....

The defenders smiled, this was what they were waiting for, after all Charlie had tried the same countless times with no luck. They dove in to stop the ball in its track and the crowd were half a beat slower in getting off their seat, by now they had already known which player was the best from each team, that is if the number 10 displayed across Ethan's back was anything to go by.

The ball left his left foot but instead of being blasted towards the post like everyone expected, it went backwards behind his right foot.

The cheering stopped...

The defenders left the scene, sliding away in agony...

The keeper's eyes went wide...

And the ball back-tracked into a beautiful Cruyff turn from his weaker left to his stronger right. He turned 180 degrees and curled the ball past the diving goalie into the back of the net.

It was an understatement to say that the crowd went wild, the stadium felt like a small earthquake swept past as the crowd jumped and hugged each other, players wearing faded red all ran towards the guy that displayed such beauty and Ethan... He stood there stunned, as player after player jumped in hugging him eventually pushing him to the ground.

The grounds shook to its core and the coach went livid with joy, kicking water bottles and plastic seats. They all had one thought.

We are the champions.

The fans' excitement didn't die down until the referee blew the whistle once again this time with a different side in the lead.

The battle in the last minutes was an intense affair, with players from our team on the defence and the opposing side attacking relentlessly, there were two bars and a couple of saves but luckily no late drama.

The excitement we felt that day when the final whistle blew was electric, it was so contagious, watching everyone run around the pitch in joy.

We celebrated with the trophy in our hands as we posed with somes classmates and friends, even some random guy came to relish in our victory but we nonetheless welcomed him wearing smiles on our faces. I got called to the coach's office a few hours later but believe me when I say I could already guess what was incoming. (A VIP ticket to the professional football nightclub)

"Ethan, you really did good out there great stuff, that skill was amazing, you almost gave me a heart attack there for a second" he laughed, patting my shoulder awkwardly.

"You know when I first saw you play two months ago I thought, this lad was going to be something, it was almost like fate you know, that's why I felt I should put you into the team because even though you were younger than any other person out there on that pitch you still made others notice how good you are. And now I know I was right to pick you, great stuff." he carries on

You… don't know how to reply, neither does the coach need you to as he continues.

"I know you still have a lot of celebrating to do with the others" his smirk catches my attention, the ugly lopsided smile tells me that he doesn't smirk often.

"So I won't delay you too much, I just called you in to tell you…(drum roll please)... You got the spot"

Wait, what?

"I.. got the spot?" I enter a dazed state.

"Yeah"

"I.. really got the spot??" I was still dumbfounded

"Yeah"

"Coach, thank you for everything you've done for me, I really appreciate it, I.. I gotta go tell this to my mom" I yelp excitedly as I open the door

"Wait!" I freeze on the spot "he told me that you should come to Anfield youth centre on the 3rd of September, really important, cause they'll be having a trial, 7am, don't be late" the coach warns. (that's half a month from now.)

I gaze at the coach for a moment "I won't let you down coach" he smiles and sends me off.