The Battle Against The Giants

Jace Holloway barely had time to catch his breath after Harrowgate's thrilling victory over Langston Academy.

Another game. Another test.

But now? The stakes were getting higher.

Coach Davies had called an extra team meeting before training. That usually meant one thing—bad news or a big challenge ahead.

As Jace walked into the changing room, he saw the serious expressions on his teammates' faces. Something was coming.

Something big.

Coach Davies stood at the front of the room, arms crossed.

"Right, listen up. We've made a name for ourselves this season, but now we face the real test. Westbrook Academy. Top of the league. Undefeated. No one's even come close to beating them."

A murmur ran through the room. Everyone knew about Westbrook.

They weren't just good—they were dominant.

Bigger. Stronger. Faster. A squad filled with academy-level players, some already being scouted by professional clubs.

All these Jace was frightened because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to perform well against this opponent.

Jace swallowed hard.

If Briarwood was a test, and Langston was a challenge…

Westbrook was a nightmare.

He said this because they won Briarwood by chance and were afraid they would lose this time because Westbrook was far better than Briarwood.

Coach's voice cut through the tension.

"But I don't care how good they are. They haven't played us yet."

That got a few nods.

"Jace, you'll be up against Isaac Mendez."

Jace's stomach dropped.

Mendez.

Westbrook's star right-back. Quick. Aggressive. He was a wall in defence, and he was called a pillar also because he never allowed a striker to pass him and was the best defender. He will be a threat to Jace and his team.

Jace had faced tough defenders before—but Mendez?

He was the best in the league.

"Study him," Coach continued. "Find weaknesses. He's fast, but he can be baited into lunging in too early. If you can time it right, you'll get past him. But you'll need to be patient."

Jace nodded, determination hardening in his chest.

He had one week to prepare.

And he would use every second.

The next few training sessions were intense.

Coach Davies had Jace practising against two defenders at once—Callum and Marcus playing the role of Mendez, pressing him high, forcing him to think faster.

Every time Jace lost the ball, he grew more frustrated.

He needed to figure this out because Mendez was not like them.

Then, on Thursday, after a gruelling session, Marcus pulled him aside.

"You're thinking too much, mate."

Jace wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I have to. Mendez won't give me space." Jace said this because he was afraid to be stopped by Mendez.

"Exactly," Marcus said. "You keep looking for gaps that aren't there. Maybe instead of fighting him directly, you should make him fight himself."

Jace frowned. "What do you mean?"

Marcus smirked. "Use his strength against him."

And that's when it clicked.

If Mendez was aggressive, Jace needed to make that aggression work against him.

Instead of trying to force a breakthrough, he needed to let Mendez make the first mistake.

A new plan began forming in Jace's mind.

Now, he was ready.

Saturday arrived.

Westbrook's stadium was a fortress. Bigger stands. A louder crowd. A proper academy-level atmosphere.

Jace could feel the pressure the moment he stepped onto the pitch.

The game hadn't even started, and Westbrook's fans were already chanting, making it very clear that Harrowgate weren't welcome here.

This made the players feel uncomfortable but they didn't let that discourage them.

Across the field, he saw Mendez warming up.

Their eyes met.

Mendez smirked, cracking his knuckles.

Jace kept his expression blank.

He wasn't here to talk.

He was here to win.

The match kicked off.

And immediately, Westbrook took control.

Their midfield was a machine, pressing high, forcing mistakes, and keeping possession like a professional side.

Jace barely touched the ball in the first fifteen minutes.

And when he did?

Mendez shut him down instantly.

Every touch. Every run.

Blocked. Stopped. Denied.

The frustration built up.

Jace had to remind himself—to stay patient.

Then, in the 27th minute, he saw his opening.

A loose pass.

Jace pounced, sprinting forward. Mendez was already closing in.

Jace knew he couldn't win in a straight-up sprint—not against a defender who was expecting it.

So, instead, he did something different.

He slowed down.

Mendez lunged in—too early.

Jace feinted right—then spun left, flicking the ball past Mendez with his heel.

The defender stumbled.

For the first time, Jace was free.

He charged into the box, cutting inside. The keeper rushed out—

Jace squared the ball to Theo—

Goal!

Harrowgate led 1-0.

Westbrook didn't panic.

They were too experienced for that.

Instead, they did what they always did—took control.

Pass after pass. Attack after attack.

And in the 40th minute, they broke through.

A stunning shot from their captain, curling into the top corner.

1-1.

Jace clenched his fists.

This was going to be a fight to the end.

Westbrook came out stronger after halftime.

Jace could feel Mendez getting more aggressive.

The defender had learned from the first half.

Now, he wasn't lunging in early—he was waiting.

Jace had to adapt again.

So he started pulling wide, dragging Mendez out of position, forcing the defender into uncomfortable areas.

And in the 68th minute, it paid off.

Jace made a run inside—then suddenly stopped.

Mendez hesitated—just for a second.

That was all Jace needed.

He exploded forward.

Theo saw it—played a perfect through ball—

Jace was one-on-one with the keeper.

He took a deep breath—flicked it past the keeper—

GOAL!

2-1.

The Harrowgate fans went wild.

But the game wasn't over yet.

---

Westbrook's Final Push

The last ten minutes were the longest of Jace's life.

Westbrook threw everything at them.

Cross after cross. Shot after shot.

In the 87th minute, disaster almost struck.

A powerful header—heading for the top corner.

Jace watched, helpless—

But their keeper, Jake, made an insane save.

Jace felt his heart hammering.

Just a few more minutes.

Hold on.

The final whistle blew.

Harrowgate had done it.

They had beaten the best.

This was unbelievable because this team was the best in their division and had a lot of qualified players, which was a green flag for them to win, but they couldn't.

As Jace walked off the pitch, exhausted, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

It was Mendez.

"You got me today," Mendez admitted. "You're the real deal, Holloway."

Jace smirked. "I had to be."

Mendez nodded. "See you in the finals."

Jace's stomach flipped.

The season wasn't over yet.

And if everything went according to plan…

They'd have to do this all over again.

Jace forgot about this because he knew the finals weren't anywhere near, so they cheered up and celebrated their new win against Westbrook.

Jace was bow trending and other teams had an interest in his style of play.