Coach’s Decision

Chapter Ten: The Final Trial

Jace Holloway stood on the school's football pitch, the cool UK air biting at his skin as he prepared for another training session. The friendly match was now just days away, and Coach Davies had made it clear—this was the last training session before he decided the starting eleven.

This was the day they'd all been waiting for.

Jace had worked harder than ever, pushing his limits to become more than just a sprinter trying football. But now, he needed to prove he was worthy of a place in the team.

No second chances.

No excuses.

Just football.

Training started with an intense fitness session.

Repeated sprints. Agility drills. Change-of-direction exercises.

Jace had always been fast, but now, his endurance was being tested. Sprinting was one thing—but football demanded more than just raw speed.

Coach Davies shouted from the sideline, "Anyone can run for five seconds! I need lads who can give me ninety minutes of relentless energy!"

Jace gritted his teeth, powering through the drills. He wasn't the only one fighting for a spot—other players pushed themselves to the limit, sweat dripping from their faces, determination burning in their eyes.

By the end of the session, his legs felt like lead. His breath came in heavy gasps, but he wasn't done.

Next came the true challenge—match simulation.

The squad was split into two teams. Jace's side had Marcus and Theo, while the opposition had Callum, one of the team's regular starting wingers.

It wasn't just a friendly internal match because everyone was serious about earning the position to start a match.

It was a war for the starting lineup.

Jace lined up on the left wing. Across from him? Aidan Parker.

Aidan was a senior, physically strong, and one of the team's best defenders. Beating him wouldn't be easy.

As the whistle blew, the game exploded into action.

The midfield battle was intense, with neither side giving an inch. Jace kept scanning the field, looking for space, waiting for the right moment.

Then, it came.

Theo intercepted a pass and sent the ball forward. Jace took off, sprinting down the wing, heart pounding.

Aidan reacted instantly, closing in.

Jace felt the pressure, but instead of panicking, he did what he had been training for.

He didn't just run.

He used his body.

He leaned into Aidan, absorbing the contact, then performed a sharp cut inside. Aidan was caught off balance for a split second—just enough for Jace to accelerate past him.

Now, he was heading toward the box.

A defender stepped in, and Jace had two choices:

1. Take the shot.

2. Pass to Marcus, who was making a run into the box.

The old Jace would have hesitated and was caught in a dilemma.

This time, he acted.

He feinted a shot to freeze the defender, then slipped a perfectly timed pass to Marcus.

Marcus struck it first-time.

Goal.

Jace pumped his fist.

He didn't score, but that didn't matter.

He had created the chance.

And Coach Davies had seen it.

The game continued, and Jace knew he couldn't just focus on attacking.

He had made mistakes before—not tracking back, leaving space open on defence. That couldn't happen now.

So when the opposition countered, Jace sprinted back, tracking his man.

Aidan, still frustrated from being beaten earlier, tried to shake him off.

But Jace stuck with him, staying tight, forcing him to the outside.

Aidan tried to cut inside—Jace didn't fall for it.

He held his ground, waiting for the right moment—then lunged in, cleanly winning the ball.

The opposition protested for a foul, but Coach Davies clapped instead.

"That's how you defend, Holloway!"

Jace exhaled.

He had just stopped a dangerous attack.

Another step forward.

The match was fierce. Neither side backed down, and as the final minutes ticked away, the score was locked at 2-2.

Then, with just a minute left, Marcus sent a looping pass over the defence.

Jace knew it was for him.

He sprinted, his body moving on instinct. The ball dropped from the sky, and Jace positioned himself, controlling it perfectly with his chest.

Aidan was on him instantly, shoving him hard.

Jace stumbled but stayed on his feet.

This was it.

One chance.

One decision.

Jace feinted to shoot—Aidan lunged in to block.

Wrong move.

Jace cut inside sharply, now with a clear path to goal.

The keeper rushed forward.

Jace stayed calm.

He curled the ball around him and into the bottom corner.

3-2.

Jace had won the game.

The whistle blew.

And when Jace looked over, he saw Coach Davies nodding.

Approval.

Recognition.

Maybe even… a starting spot.

Coach's Decision

After training, the Coach gathered the squad.

"That was quality football, lads. Everyone pushed hard. But only eleven start on matchday."

Jace's heart pounded.

Coach started listing names.

When he reached the wingers, he paused for a moment.

Then—

"Left wing… Holloway."

Jace barely heard the rest because he was able to impress Coach Davies to make him a starter winger for their team.

He had done it.

From a sprinter with no football experience to a starter in his first-ever match.

This made him very happy because that was his first match ever and he was frightened and started to have a lot of thoughts because he was thinking, what if he made mistakes that day too?

And yet, as he sat on the grass afterwards, he realized something.

This wasn't the end, it was just about to get interesting.