Chapter 8: Chapter 8
“And these Crystal High players are not giving any breathing space to Aberdeen High at all! Shane Foster is turning out to be the star of the show for tonight’s game here ladies and gentlemen as every important save he makes, his team should thank him for it! One can only wonder as to where they would be in this one were it not for him!” said the commentator as he was impressed by Shane’s continuous ability to defend for his team.
“Man, I feel for Shane! Having to make save after save like that!” said Marissa, who felt for Shane the way he had to act for his team consistently.
“His team will have to owe him a great amount of gratitude for tonight’s match, otherwise who knows what the scoreline could have been!” said Sam agreeing with Marissa.
“That’s it, dude! Just hang in there and keep on saving shot after shot!” thought Kevin as he looked on from the bench and saw his friend make save after save.
Finally, Shane managed to hang onto the ball, which further resulted in him and his teammates taking a much-needed breather from having done all that non-stop defending. Shane had grabbed onto the ball tightly with his fists making sure not to let go for even a split second, then when they couldn’t afford breathing space anymore and had to subsequently go forward and attack, he fed Oliver Peabody the ball who charged forward with his team to try and make a counterattack of some sort.
“And finally the Aberdeen High team is offered some breathing space, and maybe they can try and make something of this counterattack!” said the commentator as he saw Benjamin Cross to whom Oliver had passed, make a run forward with Jerome Castle by his side.
“I just hope these guys can make something of this!” said Marissa feeling hopeful as she saw Benjamin Cross charging forward.
“I hope so too!” said Sam siding with Marissa.
“Guys do something!” thought Kevin as he looked on helplessly from the bench.
Benjamin played a quick passing movement alongside Jerome Castle and another teammate Walden Smith. The trio charged past the Crystal High defenders dodging them and continuously passing to each other, being careful not to lose possession. They managed to come near the Crystal High goal but could go only as far as the edge of the Crystal High box due to it being defended tactfully in an organizational manner by the Crystal High team.
It was at this point that Benjamin, who had the ball beneath his feet, realized that he had to act very quickly; otherwise, the ball would have been taken from them by their defense. Benjamin, in a desperate attempt, unleashed a powerful shot that went curling above everyone in the box, going just wide of the post missing the target completely.
“And that one goes just off target ladies and gentlemen! On the thirty-fifth minute, when Aberdeen High finally makes their first shot of the match, it goes just wide and off-target! Goodness, gracious! Just what must Aberdeen High do to score one in this one!” said the commentator as soon as the Crystal High goalkeeper had picked the ball up and was preparing to take a goal kick.
“Aww, man! I wish we’d have scored!” wailed Marissa.
“Me too! It would have been entertaining if we could have taken the lead!” added Sam.
“Ugh! Benjamin!” groaned Shane after having seen Benjamin’s effort wasted.
As soon as Brendan took the goal kick Given the Crystal High goalkeeper, the ball fell to the feet of John Funk, who, with his ball control, immediately charged forward for a further attack towards the Aberdeen High goal.
He leads his team forward, and immediately they had attempted to shoot for goal, making Shane responsive to shots fired at him once more.
The same frenzy with which Shane had to stay alert and make saves for his team continued as before as Crystal High received chance after chance to score, mainly due to Shane being unable to hang onto the ball due to the sheer force with which the shots on goal were each coming his way.
This would continue for a further ten minutes with Shane having to make save after save for his team. The way he was playing, he made it seem as if he was saving goals as if his life depended on it!
“That’s it, dude! Just continue saving!” thought Kevin as he looked on at his friend, who was doing everything he could to keep his team still in the tie.
Then an official confirmed on a switchboard that there was to be one minute of added time just as half-time had approached. Aberdeen High was making their way forward courtesy of a rebound from a shot that Shane had saved, and they tried moving forward at full pace. They managed to spread themselves on the pitch, but John Funk captain of Crystal High had successfully slide tackled Oliver Peabody, who had the ball beneath his feet. John Funk had come charging forward with full pace and had plenty of space around him as well till he was brought down by Frank Jones, the Aberdeen High Centre back. Frank tried to slide tackle him but couldn’t make a clean challenge resulting in him bringing down John and receiving a yellow card in the process.
“And that’s a reckless challenge by Frank Jones right there! After continuously attacking the Aberdeen High goal and causing their defense all sorts of problems, Crystal High just can’t seem to break the deadlock with Aberdeen High performing superbly with their defending, and they owe a big thanks to their number thirteen Shane Foster who is literally saving for his life! Now Crystal High have a free-kick from thirty yards out, which will also be the last kick of this first half!” said the commentator up in his commentary box just as Crystal High was about to take their free-kick and send the match to half-time.
“Shane’s been saving goals for Aberdeen High all evening! The very least we can do is send him a special cheer his way to let him know he’s appreciated!” said Marissa wanting to send Shane a special cheer his way.
“Let’s! It would serve as a motivation tool for him!” said Sam, who agreed with Marissa’s idea.
“Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me an S
Give me an H
Give me an A
Give me an N
Give me an E
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me another O
Give me a D
Give me a K
Give me an E
Give me another E
Give me a P
Give me an E
Give me an R
Go, Shane! Go, Good Keeper! Go Good Keeper of Aberdeen High!” said Marissa leading the cheer for her cheerleading team.
Shane looked on and thought, “man, I’m lucky to have Marissa as a friend! I hope I don’t disappoint her tonight, and I also hope we can be more than just friends!”
“And these girls send a special cheer, Shane Foster’s way! He deserves it, ladies and gentlemen! Especially after all the hard work he’s put in tonight!” said the commentator just moments before the free-kick was being taken.
The coach of Aberdeen High stood on the touchline directing his players as to how to form themselves for the wall in the resulting free-kick, which they would have to defend.
John Funk charged forward and took the free-kick from thirty yards out, sending the ball over the Aberdeen High wall and straight towards the left-hand post. Shane quickly saw it coming and managed to jump for it and finger-tip save it, sending it wide off the post.
The referee blew the whistle for half-time, with both teams unable to break the deadlock in the first half of the match.
“And the referee blows the whistle for half-time here folks with both teams unable to break the deadlock as the score remains nil-nil. Shane Foster will be happy to catch a breather for himself after all the hard work he’s put in tonight! No wonder they’ve given him the nickname ‘good keeper’. He has lived up to his nickname here tonight! Both teams will go in at the break, trying to figure out how they can win this one with Crystal High figuring out how they haven’t managed to score here! It’s been eighty percent possession of the ball with Crystal High and Aberdeen High, keeping only twenty percent! Also, Crystal High has managed to take twenty shots altogether, and of them, eighteen have been on target as compared to Aberdeen High with only one shot and that too off target! It has been men against boys in the first half here, and Aberdeen High must figure out how they can try and come to the same level as that of Crystal High! They can’t rely entirely on their ‘good keeper’ Shane Foster to win it for them! Join us as we’ll be back in a short while!” announced the commentator as soon as the half-time interval had come into immediate effect.
The two team’s players headed into the dressing room with Aberdeen High players having nervousness on their faces, whereas the Crystal High players seemed to be furious with themselves that they hadn’t managed to score one yet.
However, both team’s supporters cheered their teams on with all that they had in them. They still believed in their respective teams no matter what they saw in the first half.
“Yay! Shane saves us again! He’s had a restless night and deserves the man of the match award!” said Marissa, who was delighted with Shane’s excellent performance in the match so far.
“He has been something else for us tonight!” said Sam in acknowledgment.
The college scout from Manchester University looked on thoroughly impressed by Shane’s performance in the first half.
Once inside the dressing room, Kevin was the first to congratulate Shane on his stellar performance so far in the first half.
“Dude! You were awesome! Way to go!” said Kevin with his training bib still on him gave Shane a good pat on the back.
“Yeah, way to play bro!” said Jerome Castle giving Shane a high five.
“We couldn’t have survived the first half if it weren’t for you! Good job!” said Oliver pleased with Shane’s performance.
Just then, their coach stepped into the dressing room.
He seemed to look furious with his players, and why wouldn’t he be; he was being embarrassed out there in front of all the spectators who came to watch them play as the match seemed so one-sided throughout.
“Foster! Good job out there! Excellent performance! The rest of you, what do you think you're doing out there? It looks as if it’s you boys versus those men out there, and you’re getting creamed out there like a bunch of sissies! Go out there, give it your all, and at least try and attack! You could learn a thing or two about performing under pressure and giving it you're all from this young lad Shane here who’s been playing his heart out so far!” said the coach trying to entice in his players a desire to perform better by making Shane an example.
“Uh …thanks coach!” said Shane in a soft tone, he was himself surprised that he was chosen as a positive example.
Oliver spoke up for his team “Coach, there’s no doubt that Shane’s been the best performer for our team so far this evening, but we’re all doing the best we can! You can’t overlook our performances as well! We’re all doing the best our bodies are allowing us to do! They are physically superior in body structure, but we’re doing our best as well! We’ll try and improve on our performances in the second half!”
“You won’t try to …you will!” said the coach firmly.
He continued, “Now it’s obvious that their physically superior to us so you’re going to have to come up with a strategy and a plan to beat them otherwise they’ll score against us in the second half. Also, just be careful not to get injured out there! They tackle very fiercely, so I don’t want any of you getting injured out there!”
“Yes, coach!” said Oliver for his team in a respectful manner.
“Oh, and Shane, way to go, dude! If there’s anyone after Oliver who can lead us tonight, it’s you!” said Benjamin Cross praising Shane for his terrific performance so far.
“Yeah, like we were so impressed the way you were playing! You never folded under pressure, not even once! If Oliver gets substituted tonight, then you deserve to have the captain’s armband on your arm, it would be an honor to have you as our captain in this tournament!” agreed Ryan Buckle voicing his opinion.
“Thanks, Guys! I don’t know what to say!” said Shane smiling modestly.
“I’ll tell you what to say! You’ll say you’re all going to get out there and perform like warriors and put your absolute all on the football pitch!” said the coach taking the initiative for Shane.
“We’ll do that as soon as we get on the pitch for the second half!” replied Shane earnestly.
After that, everyone started drinking fluids to calm themselves down and prepare for the second half.
Soon the half time interval was over with, and both team’s players stepped on to the pitch to try and score a goal in the second half of the match.
Both teams were met with sensational applause from their supporters as they each continuously chanted their High school name as they saw their football players step on the pitch.
“I hope some interesting things happen in our favor!” said Marissa feeling optimistic as she watched her High School team make their way on the pitch.
“Me too, I hope luck favors us or something!” said Sam feeling optimistic alongside Marissa.
The college scout took a closer look at Shane as he saw Shane make his way to his goal.
Soon the referee blew his whistle, and Crystal High got their kick-off underway, and the second half of the fixture had started.
“And we are underway here in the second-half with Crystal High starting things off! Let’s hope the second-half produces an outcome of some sort!” said the commentator as Crystal High had started things off.
As soon as the second half was underway, both team’s supporters cheered their teams on at the prospect of witnessing something incredible in the second half of the match.
Crystal High at first played very defensively as they wanted to run down the clock or something. They played within their half and did not lose possession of the ball for a full fifteen minutes.
“And fifteen minutes have gone by in this second-half and Crystal High still haven’t managed to lose possession of the ball yet! Aberdeen High is yet to taste having possession of the ball in this second-half! Goodness gracious me, I wonder what Crystal High have up their sleeve here tonight!” said the commentator wondering what possible strategy Crystal High could have.
“This is boring! I wish something interesting would happen!” whined Marissa complaining.
“Quit your whining girl! It’s obvious they have some sort of a plan to turn the game their favor!” said Sam telling Marissa not to let her guard down.
“I know… you’re right! It’s just that I wish it’d happen sooner!” said Marissa explaining her behavior,
“Ugh!” groaned Sam.
Even the supporters of Crystal High wanted them to go forward and attack as whistles and jeers started to come from them.
Just then, out of nowhere, Crystal High team captain John Funk had passed the ball back to their goalkeeper Brendan Given, who quickly came forward in their half and kicked the ball high and far towards the Aberdeen High goal. It seemed they saw that Shane was off his line in his six-yard box, and they fancied a shot on goal.
Shane saw the ball coming with pace, power, and height, and he luckily managed to run back to his six-yard box, jump for it and clear it wide for a corner. He had saved his blushes, for he was at fault for what could have been a candidate for goal of the tournament.
“And on sixty-one minutes Shane Foster saves the first shot on goal of the second half! He saved his blushes there, for if that one had gone in, it would have been one of the most if not the most memorable goal of the tournament! Brendan Given the Crystal High keeper had Given Shane Foster a real tough test there!” said the commentator after witnessing that incredible scene a few moments ago.
“Yay! Shane makes a terrific save! Way to go, Shane!” said Marissa giddily as she looked on with Sam from her cheerleading stand.
“He got lucky there that he didn’t concede, but in the process got terrific save to his name!” remarked Sam.
“Way to go dude!” said Oliver patting Shane across his shoulders as he, along with the rest of his team, entered the box to try and defend from the resulting corner kick.
“And the Aberdeen High players make their way to try and defend from this corner!” announced the commentator.
The corner was taken by the Crystal High team captain John Funk, who passed the ball to his teammate Renato Giggs who was standing near him. Once he had made his pass, the two of them played an intelligent game of one-touch football between themselves.
They continued passing the ball with other players of their team just outside the Aberdeen High box, and they continued to do this for a few minutes till their captain John Funk unleashed a powerful shot just outside the Aberdeen High box. He had managed to find space between the Aberdeen High defenders to take a chance on target.
Shane managed to reduce the intensity of the shot with his hands as he not only blocked it but managed to hold onto it as well. After having the ball in his hands, he bounced the ball on the grass and signaled to Oliver Peabody to march forward for an attack with their teammates running beside him.
Shane kicked the ball to Oliver’s path with Oliver finding space between him and the Crystal High defenders. Oliver, with very skillful ball control, managed to control the ball and charge forward for an attack.
He had Benjamin Cross and Jerome Castle by his side but opted to go and make a run on his own for the time being.
A
Crystal High defender named Adam Swift started coming in Oliver’s way to try and win the ball from him. Oliver tried to dribble past him but was unsuccessful in doing so. Adam had managed to win the ball from Oliver with a ferocious slide tackle that sent Oliver flying and in a world of agonizing pain. Adam’s studs came in contact with Adam’s left leg, and as a result, the referee had to stop play as Oliver got injured and had to be stretchered off!
“Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!” screamed Oliver in agonizing pain, grabbing hold of his left leg.
“Oh no!” said Marissa as she looked on in horror along with Sam and the Aberdeen High supporters as to the condition Oliver was in now.
“Oh no!” said Shane and Kevin both at the same time as they saw what had become of their captain for the evening.
“And Adam Swift brings down Oliver Peabody with a brutal challenge! It’s left the Aberdeen High skipper injured as he’s screaming in pain and he’ll have to come off here. What possible action could the referee take here and who will replace him that is the big question and how will Aberdeen High fair now that their captain who plays his heart out every single match for his High School team is going to have to come off?!” said the commentator as Oliver was being lifted onto a stretcher.
“Easy does it now! Keep calm and let us put you on the stretcher safely and securely!” said a member of the medical staff as he, along with his other medical crew were helping Oliver on to a red stretcher.
“Aaaahhhh, it hurts!” screamed Oliver in agonizing pain.
Every single member of both teams had come forward to check on the condition of Oliver, every substitute on the Aberdeen High team bench also came to check on Oliver except for the coach as he couldn’t cross the touchline.
“It looks dire!” said Kevin, who was standing right next to Shane.
“Yeah, I wonder how long he’ll be out for!” said Shane feeling Sympathetic for Oliver.
Just then, their coach called out to Kevin, “Hey James! Take your training bib off. You’re getting on the field right now!”
“Huh?” said Kevin as he was suddenly called to action.
“Here, take this!” said Oliver taking off his captain’s armband as soon as he was seated safely onto the stretcher. He gave it to Shane and further continued, “You’ve played excellently throughout, and I hope you’re able to lead these guys to the final! Whatever you do, just do your best and urge everyone else to as well!”
“Thanks, Oliver, and get well soon!” said Shane putting the captain’s armband of Aberdeen High around his arm.
Shane knew of the responsibilities that came while putting on that captain’s armband and what was to be expected of him.
Before Oliver was being stretchered away, Adam Swift came to Oliver. He apologized for his tackle saying, “I’m sorry if my tackle was too aggressive, I never meant to hurt you or cause you pain, and I hope you’re able to recover soon after this!”
“It’s okay, this is football, and these sorts of things happen!” said Oliver shaking hands with him before being stretchered off.
The referee gave Adam Swift a yellow card for his rough challenge on Oliver.
“Hey! Let’s give Oliver a special cheer to thank him for all the hard work he’s done for us! That’ll show that he’s appreciated at least!” said Marissa, having quickly come up with an idea.
“Yeah, that’ll make him feel better!” said Sam in agreement.
“Give me a T
Give me an H
Give me an A
Give me an N
Give me a k
Give me an S
Give me an O
Give me an L
Give me an I
Give me a V
Give me an E
Give me an R
Thanks, Oliver! Thanks for all your hard work!” cheered Marissa leading the cheer for her cheerleading team.
Oliver received a standing ovation and warm applause from his supporters as soon as he left the field being stretchered off. Kevin James made his way on subsequently as he entered the pitch after Oliver had left.
“And Oliver Peabody captain of Aberdeen High receives a standing ovation from his supporters who give him a warm round of applause for his brilliant performances so far in this tournament! Let’s just hope for his sake he’s able to recover soon! And on comes Kevin James as his replacement, he’ll be hoping to make his mark on this one!” said the commentator as Kevin made his way up the pitch following the substitution.
“Yay! Kevin makes his appearance in this one!” said Sam joyfully.
“Let’s hope he can properly fill in Oliver’s boots! Those are big boots to fill in!” cautioned Marissa.
“He will!” said Sam confidently.
“Bro, stay with me and just don’t leave me stranded and alone!” asked Shane of Kevin as Kevin stood right in front of him, acting as a defensive midfielder.
“Don’t worry. I won’t! We’re in this together till the very end!” assured Kevin giving Shane a thumbs-up.
“I hope Shane makes a great captain!” said Marissa looking on hopeful.
“I hope so too! For his sake and the sake of our team!” said Sam cautioning.
The college scout from Manchester University looked on at Shane even closer, because now Shane would have to prove himself further.
As the match resumed, Shane ordered his team to play defensively at first, to pass the ball within themselves in their half and maintain possession for some time. This kept on going for seven minutes.
“And I wonder what these players have up their sleeves here, playing defensively and not going forward to attack!” said the commentator commenting on the style of play adopted by Aberdeen High.
But in truth, Shane didn’t have much of an idea as to how his team could go forward and try to score a goal. The opposition team was so much more superior physically that Shane didn’t have much of an idea as to how his own side could go forward to try and break the deadlock. He was just hoping that they wouldn’t concede at all. But he knew that attack would win you matches and so he knew that he would have to instruct his side to go forward and try and score otherwise the score would remain at nil-nil throughout and a penalty-shootout was too risky of a card to play. He just thought let play go on for some time till he came up with a plan as to how to score.
“This is getting boring, we’re fast approaching the seventy-seventh minute of the match, and Shane’s not telling anyone to go and make a move!” said Marissa getting impatient.
Suddenly Sam had an idea and suggested: “Well, he listens to you; think he’ll consider sending those guys forward if you send him and Aberdeen High a special cheer?”
Marissa was delighted with the prospect and replied, “That’s a brilliant idea! That’ll give Shane motivation to tell those guys to go forward and try to score!”
So Marissa led the cheer for her team “Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me an S
Give me an H
Give me an A
Give me an N
Give me an E
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me another O
Give me a D
Give me a K
Give me an E
Give me another E
Give me a P
Give me an E
Give me an R
Give me a G
Give me an O
Give me an A
Give me a B
Give me an E
Give me an R
Give me a D
Give me an E
Give me another E
Give me an N
Give me an H
Give me an I
Give me a G
Give me an H
Go Shane Go Good Keeper Go Aberdeen High! Go out there and score the winner Aberdeen High!”
“Huh?” looked Shane and Kevin along with their team as they saw their cheerleaders sending them a cheer.
“And it looks like these ladies wanna see some action as their telling their team to go forward and attack!” said the commentator after watching them cheer Aberdeen High on.
“Aww, man Marissa wants to see us score….I just can’t disappoint her! I guess this had to come sooner or later!” thought Shane.
Then he took a deep breath and thought to himself, “Here goes nothing!”
“Hey guys, get out there into the opposition half and score for Aberdeen High!” he shouted, instructing them to go forward and attack the Crystal High goal.
“Huh?” said Benjamin Cross, who had the ball in his feet after seeing the recent instructions their new captain was giving them.
“I hope you know what you’re doing!” said Kevin to Shane as he saw their strike force go forward and try to score.
Benjamin Cross had Jerome Castle on his side, and together they played quick one-touch football amongst themselves to try and score one for Aberdeen High. Since they caught Crystal High by surprise, it enabled them to run up the field and near the edge of the Crystal High box.
Jerome, who had the ball in his feet, waited for backup to arrive in the shape of his teammates who were coming for their aid. He couldn’t possibly go forward on his own due to the threat of him losing the ball after seeing a slew of staunch muscular defenders standing in his path from trying to take a shot inside the box.
Jerome as soon as seeing Ryan Buckle coming forward immediately passed to him to ease off the pressure he was carrying on his shoulders. Ryan, upon receiving the ball, decided to fancy his chances as he chipped the ball from twenty-four yards out after seeing a gap of space between the goalkeeper Brendan Given and the rest of the Crystal High defense.
The chipped shot, although on target, was kept out by Brendan, who jumped and blocked the ball away with his fists. It resulted in a corner for Aberdeen High, their first of the entire match.
The Aberdeen High supporters gave a small round of applause for Ryan and his effort on goal.
“And Ryan Buckle fancies for himself a shot on goal here, ladies and gentlemen! He chips the ball hoping to get one over Brendan Given, but Given has saved it superbly! Now Crystal High will look to defend from the resulting corner! It’s an improvement on the part of Aberdeen High!” said the commentator after Ryan Buckle’s attempted shot on goal.
“Aww, man! I wish we’d have gone ahead!” wailed Marissa.
“Don’t be so naive! That was an easy shot for Brendan to save! Let’s hope these guys do better with the corner-kick they’ve just received!” remarked Sam.
The corner-kick was taken quickly, and Ryan Buckle himself executed it. He tactfully took it low and aimed it to come straight in Benjamin Cross’s way. Benjamin headed the ball from close range, but Brendan Given who was lurking nearby was able to get a hand to it, stopping it from entering his goal. A defender Mathew Bale, who was positioned on the goal line, had kicked and cleared the ball away to safety, sending the ball away for An Aberdeen High throw-in.
“Rats!” said Shane as he saw their effort saved.
“And a clever piece of teamwork shows Aberdeen High can cause Crystal High all sorts of problems in attack. That was a cleverly taken corner right there! And Brendan Given does well to save that one for his team!” said the commentator after Aberdeen High’s recent turnaround of performance.
“So close!” whined Marissa.
“Yes! So close indeed!” agreed Sam.
Before the thrown in was taken, Crystal High made all three of their substitutions at one time with Aberdeen High making two of theirs at the same time.