The First Half

"F*ck them", John cursed out as the referee blew the whistle and showed a yellow card to the Derby County defender Seth Johnson.

The game had started well with Leicester City coming out enthusiastically and taking the game to Derby County. That changed when just 13 minutes into the game, on a Leicester attack, Derby LB Jay McEveley took down Leicester's top goalscorer this season, Iain Hume, just outside the penalty area. He was booked for that offense but Leicester players and fans clearly felt that it should have been a straight red. Since then the match had became a brawl. It had been only 40 minutes and the referee has already booked three players including Leicester's Nils-Eric Johansson.

" The situation does not look good for Leicester. Alan looks in pain on the ground, he still hasn't gotten up. This game is getting out of control, the referee has to get the game under control." the commentator said from the press box.

The camera focused on the situation on the ground and it showed Leicester LB Alan Maybury still lying on the ground in pain. Looking at the sidelines, Manager Kelly was complaining to the fourth official about the challenge and had already told Joe Mattock to warm up. The club physios were on the pitch treating Alan Maybury while Leicester fans were fiercely cursing and booing the opposing team and Leicester players were surrounding the referee to put pressure on him.

After a while, Alan still did not get up and had to be carried off the pitch on a stretcher, to Leicester fan's frustration. Meanwhile Manager Kelly signaled to the fourth official to make a substitution. The fourth official raised his electronic board and the no. 30 lit up in green.

"Here comes the change, the Leicester prodigy Mattock coming on for Maybury. While he is undoubtedly talented, this may not be the best match to debut.", the commentator said while informing the audience of the changes made on the pitch.

"That's not good, we were only matched even before this, and that teenager who is making his debut being thrown into this kind of match, it does not bode well" Sean said worriedly.

"Well, he may surprise you" John said in a bittersweet voice.

Seeing Joe Mattock had brought back some memories from John's previous life. Joe Mattock was considered one of the most talented players to come out of Leicester Academy. He was given the no. 30 shirt worn last year by another promising youngster, James Wesolowski. His career had took off in a Leicester shirt with him playing an important role at the club but the way he forced his transfer from the club left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. The fan's anger was further exacerbated due to his comments citing Richard Stearman as his motivation for leaving. After forcing the move, his career fizzled out and he never reached the heights many expected for him. But that didn't made Leicester fans feel any better.

But in the current situation, it was probably to the benefit of Leicester City that they had him on the bench as a substitute.

The game started again after Mattock checked in but the tempo had completely changed. Suddenly the Foxes were on the back foot and were trying to weather the storm of Derby attack.

"Another Derby attack, Steve Howard, Derby's top scorer is making the life of Leicester defender miserable since the last five minutes. The fourth official adds three more minutes, can Leicester come out of this half with the scores even?" the commentator added as the fourth official raised his electric board to add three minutes to the fierce booing of the home fans.

"This referee...." John wanted to curse loudly again but stopped himself.

" And Marc Edworthy is past Joe Mattock, the teenager was baited into a challenge by the Derby right back who is now past him. Edworthy picks Steve Howard who dropped to the edge of the box to receive the ball. Steve Howard takes the ball further and shoots.... WHOA! A brilliant save by the goalkeeper" the commentator said excitedly.

"The ball is still in the play, the ball falls kindly to Derby captain Matt Oakley who pulls the trigger, but Patrick Kisnorbo keeps the ball away from target with a last ditch block and with that the first half is over. Leicester hang by the edge of their teeth to keep the score even."

John finally took the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"I'll be back" John left those words as he hurriedly went outside the box leaving the dumbfounded Sean and a nervous Andrew Taylor.