Jace’s Redemption

Jace Holloway stood outside the changing room, his heart pounding against his ribs. The familiar buzz of pre-match tension filled the air—teammates chatting, boots tapping against the tiled floor, and the occasional nervous laugh.

It was his first official match he will be playing.

Not just a trial. Not just a training session.

A real game and the first game as well.

And he was starting.

As he stepped into the changing room, Marcus grinned at him. "Looks like the speed demon's about to make his debut."

Jace smirked, but his hands clenched into fists. Excitement warred with nerves. Could he handle this?

He had trained harder than ever and learned to adapt to the game's physical and mental demands. But this… this was different.

Coach Davies clapped his hands, commanding attention for them to have a word before the match.

"Alright, lads. First match of the season. Some of you have played in these before, but for a few of you—this is your first real taste of competitive football."

Jace felt the weight of those words and Coach intensionally said that because it was Jace's first official match played ever.

Coach's gaze landed on him.

"This isn't training. This is where it counts. I trust every single one of you, or you wouldn't be in this lineup. You're ready. Now go out there and prove it."

Jace exhaled. Ready or not—it was time.

Stepping onto the grass, Jace took it all in.

The pitch was pristine, the crisp white lines standing out under the late afternoon sky. A few students and parents had gathered on the sidelines. It wasn't a massive crowd, but it didn't matter—it felt like everything.

The opposing team, St. Alban's Academy, stood across from them, watching with cold, focused expressions. Jace had heard about them. They were strong, well-organized, ruthless and experienced as well.

This wasn't just some friendly match.

This was a test because Coach Davies wanted to know whether the squad was fit.

Jace took his position on the left wing, Marcus, beside him in midfield. He inhaled deeply, shaking off the nerves.

The referee blew the whistle.

Game on.

The opening minutes were a blur.

Jace barely had time to think—the game moved so fast.

St. Alban's pressed aggressively, forcing mistakes, their midfielders closing down every pass with brutal efficiency.

Jace made a run down the wing, calling for the ball. Theo spotted him and sent a pass his way, but before it even reached him—BAM.

A defender slammed into his side.

Jace hit the grass hard.

A whistle blew. Foul.

As he pushed himself up, the defender smirked. "Welcome to real football, track star."

Jace clenched his jaw because the defender was annoying because he couldn't even say sorry. He knew what this was.

They knew about him—the new guy, the former sprinter trying to be a footballer. And they were going to test him to see whether he was a real footballer now.

Fine.

Let's play.

Jace adjusted. He learned.

He stopped waiting for space to open up and started creating it himself.

When he received the ball, he didn't just sprint—he controlled his speed, changing pace, cutting inside instead of always going down the line.

And then, in the 20th minute, his moment came.

Marcus won the ball in midfield and immediately looked up. "Jace—GO!"

Jace exploded forward, the defender scrambling to keep up. The ball soared through the air.

Jace timed his run perfectly.

The ball bounced once—twice—then dropped right in front of him.

One touch to control.

One glance up.

The keeper rushed out.

Jace steadied himself—then struck.

The ball soared past the keeper's outstretched hands…

And slammed against the post.

Jace's stomach dropped because he was thinking about whether Coach would bench him after the chance he just spoiled.

The rebound bounced back into play, and St. Alban's cleared it away.

"Unlucky!" Marcus clapped him on the back. "Keep going, mate. You'll get another."

Jace exhaled.

He had been so close.

But close wasn't good enough.

St. Alban's counterattacked relentlessly.

Jace tracked back, but despite their best efforts, they conceded a goal before halftime—a powerful header from a corner.

0-1.

As they gathered near the dugout, Coach Davies remained calm. "We're still in this. Keep your heads up. Jace—great movement. You're causing them problems. Stay sharp, your goal will come."

Jace nodded.

He hoped Coach was right and he was a bit released because Coach wasn't that angry.

Because missing that chance still haunted him.

Back on the pitch, Jace felt the shift in intensity.

The game grew more physical. Players shoved, tackled harder, and fought for every ball like their lives depended on it.

Jace refused to be bullied.

When a defender tried to muscle him off, he stood his ground. When they pressed him, he kept the ball moving.

And then—his moment came.

Marcus intercepted a pass and immediately looked left.

Jace sprinted.

The through ball was perfect.

He surged forward, one defender desperately trying to keep pace.

This time, he didn't hesitate.

He controlled the ball in stride, then chipped it past the onrushing keeper.

For a second, time froze.

Then—

The net rippled.

Goal.

Jace barely registered his teammates tackling him in celebration.

He had scored.

His first real goal.

His chest burned with pride.

But the game wasn't over.

1-1.

With ten minutes left, both teams went all out.

Jace felt exhaustion creeping in. His legs were heavy. His breathing was ragged because he was sprinting and putting too much effort into the game so this made him very tired.

Then—disaster.

A defensive error led to a penalty.

St. Alban's scored.

1-2.

With just minutes left, Coach shouted from the sideline."Last push! Don't give up!"

Jace refused to accept defeat.

He pushed his body beyond its limits.

And in the final minute, he saw his chance.

Marcus whipped in a cross.

Jace, despite his burning legs, jumped.

Time slowed.

He met the ball with his head, directing it towards goal.

The keeper reached…

But it was too far.

GOAL.

The stadium erupted.

2-2.

The final whistle blew.

A draw—but a victory for Jace.

Because today, he had proven something.

He wasn't just a sprinter anymore.

He was a Speed Demon.