First Half Battering (1)

They arrived at Manchester very late in the night. The tired bunch of teenagers fell asleep almost immediately after checking in to the hotel. They didn't even bother to look at the room arrangements.

All they knew was that it was two people per room. They didn't care how the manager had arranged them, they arranged themselves according to their personal preferences and fell asleep very quick.

The manager could only sigh helplessly and let them so what they wanted. He understood that they worn out from the long journey.

The fatigue that he was very sure that they felt didn't stop him from waking them at six o'clock in the morning. It was only Omari and some of the older players who were used to the hectic traveling schedules who got up quickly. The others literally had to be dragged from their beds.

They did some light training and revised the game tactics for some time before they were told by one of Manchester Red's club staff to start changing for the match.

As they walked out onto the field, Omari was filled with a wave of excitement. He couldn't stop himself from smiling as he saw the Manchester Red under eighteens walking out from the opposite direction.

There were a few hundred fans surrounding the pitch, all of which were cheering mainly for Manchester Red. Omari couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated.

He saw a few familiar faces in Manchester Red's squad, David Gore, Anthony Forson, Micheal Oyedele and Emery Williams. Asides from them, he really couldn't remember anyone.

'This is bound to be a very interesting matchup. Manchester Red are the clear favorites to win this match but Teeside Fc's performance at their last match was very impressive. They may have thrown away a two goal lead but if they can remain just as clinical and work on their defense then this is bound to be a mouth watering encounter'

'It looks like the manager had gone with the same lineup that beat Preston Unite last time out. Star center back Blake Sheldon remains on the bench for tonight'

'There seems to be a new addition to the squad though, Nigerian goalkeeper Ayanfe Adeogun makes the squad as a backup goalkeeper'

'Manchester Red lineup in the 4-3-3 formation. Obviously with their starting lineup, they're leaving nothing to chance. They seem like they absolutely want to crush Teeside Fc'

'Will it be an expected win for Manchester Red or will Teeside Fc warm our hearts with a classic underdog story'

Omari's hands shook nervously when he heard the pre match commentary. He scouted his opponents and couldn't help but feel somewhat intimidated by them. Their fullbacks were so… tall and muscular.

He looked at Tylen and couldn't help but feel like their fullbacks were lacking in the physical department.

They went through the pre match formalities and it was decided that Manchester Red would start the match. The referee blew his whistle soon after and the first half began.

1'

It didn't take that long for Manchester Red to get their first chance of the game. As soon as the referee blew the whistle, Anthony Forson passed the ball back to David Gore.

Gore and Micheal Oyedele passed the ball within themselves, tapping their way into the front of the penalty box quite easily.

David Gore then sent a chipped pass into the box for Anthony Forson. The two center backs immediately tried to cut him off but he managed to get his leg to the ball and fire a half volley towards the post.

The defenders heaved a sigh of relief when they watched his shot crash against the side. netting.

'What a chance from Manchester Red! The match had barely started and they're already letting the opposition know their intentions. Fantastic football between David Gore and Micheal Oyedele, fantastic pass from Gore to Forson and Forson did very well to get the shit away despite the barrage from the two centre halves'

'I'd say if they keep playing like this they're bound to get the opener. That was a huge let off for Teeside. It looked as if their entire defense was switched off, conceding a shit of that nature. Just three players managed to penetrate their defense!'

Omari already felt bad enough without the words of the commentators. He kicked the grass to let off his anger and returned to his atattacking position. He had previously run back to assist the defense.

4'

Shortly after the scare, Teeside got a chance to put themselves in front. It was a counterattack initiated by Jack. He had won the ball in Teeside's half of the field and sent a through ball to Omari on the left.

Omari didn't bother trying to control the weighted pass and passed it one time towards Anthony who was already making a run.

Anthony controlled the ball at the edge of the box and cutback, evidently shocking the defender, he moved the ball forward setting himself up for the shot and blasted it towards the post.

All the Middlesbrough players could only watch as the Manchester Red keeper somehow managed to parry the shot away, his fingertips doing all the work involved in batting the ball wide of the post.

'What a chance from Teeside. It's a counterattack initated from their side of the pitch. Beautiful pass from Jack Ryan's to find Omari Hutchingson and a even more beautiful pass from Hutchingson to find Anthony Waller. Beautiful movement from the striker to create space for the shot but the keeper was up to the task'

'What did I tell you huh? Tim, this match is going to be filled with action. Mere minutes after gifting Manchester Red a chance, Teeside respond with a beautiful counterattack such as that, I'm sure Anthony will be bummed that his shot was saved by the keeper'.

Half the players in the Teeside team already thought that the shot was going to enter as soon as they saw Anthony cut back. The look of shock that adorned their faces when the keeper saved the shot was comical.

Omari was the only player who didn't feel shock, he felt frustration. He couldn't be frustrated at Anthony's miss, it was just one shot. His frustration came as some sort of an impending feeling, as if foretelling how difficult it would be to put the ball last the goalkeeper.

A/N: BONUS CHAPTER!!!

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~Heavenmonarch_