章 15: Counter Attack

After Jerry scored the equalizer for Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution, the match became a lot more interesting than it had been up to that point. Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution and Jermaine Walter Academy pushed hard for the winner, making the game much more open. Both teams managed to get shots away, creating chances, but unfortunately, neither side could find the back of the net.

It wasn't until the 80th minute that everything changed.

80'

At this point, Jermaine Walter Academy were enjoying a prolonged spell of possession, much to the frustration of the Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution players. They were pressing hard, trying to win the ball back, but this high-intensity press left them a little disorganized at the back. With every passing moment, Jermaine Walter Academy seemed to gain more confidence as they controlled the ball.

James Bennet, the right midfielder for Jermaine Walter Academy, received the ball from Charles Foster. As soon as James took a touch, he was immediately pressured by Miles Heath, who was determined to win the ball back. In the chaos of the moment, Miles' leg clipped James as he tried to close him down.

Despite having his back to the goal, James skillfully used the outside of his foot to play a short side pass back to Charles, who had advanced into space and flicked the ball right back to him. By the time the ball arrived back at James, he had cleverly freed himself from the pressure of Miles and began sprinting down the right wing. Miles, unable to keep up with James, found himself trailing behind as James accelerated further away. The gap between the two grew wider as James raced forward, showing just how fast he was.

As James continued his run down the wing, he encountered more Jerimiah Hayes Football Institution players trying to close him down. However, James was simply too quick for them, managing to evade their attempts to win back the ball. Eventually, however, James had to slow down. He realized that if he kept going, he would soon run out of bounds, so he stopped and gathered himself. A small sigh escaped his lips as he passed the ball to Charles, the nearest teammate. James couldn't help but curse himself for not getting closer to the opposition's penalty box. It had been an unconscious mistake, one he regretted in that moment. It was not the kind of play that scouts would take note of.

Once Charles received the ball, he found himself immediately marked from behind by one of the Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution players. With quick thinking, Charles faked a move out wide with the ball before pivoting and turning towards the penalty box, executing a turn reminiscent of Sergio Busquets, a move designed to get him out of trouble.

As Charles turned, an outstretched leg from the opponent threatened to take the ball away, but Charles was quicker. He moved faster than his opponent, side-stepping the leg that was attempting to tackle him. With remarkable skill, Charles sent a short pass to his brother, Oliver, who was lurking nearby, in an ideal position to receive the ball.

Once Oliver got the ball, he quickly moved forward, preparing to set himself up for a shot on goal. However, before he could make his move, Oliver Trent, a central midfielder for Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution, did not give him the time he needed. Oliver Trent stretched his leg out to make a challenge, determined not to let Oliver get away with an easy shot.

Now, a clarification: there are two Olivers in the story. Oliver Foster plays for Jermaine Walter Academy, and Oliver Trent plays for Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution.

Reacting swiftly, Oliver Foster used the outside of his boot to push the ball outwards, then sharply altered the trajectory, bringing the ball back inside, causing it to roll between Oliver Trent's outstretched legs.

Oliver Foster, with excellent composure, then sprinted past Oliver Trent and sent a perfectly timed through ball to his brother, Charles, who had cleverly slipped through the defensive line of Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution.

Charles, taking the ball in his stride, expertly rolled it with his left foot to set himself up for a shot. But just as he was about to take aim with his preferred right foot, he noticed the defenders from Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution closing in on him. They had quickly adjusted their positions and were rushing toward him, forcing him into a difficult situation. Charles gritted his teeth, realizing that he had no time for a clean shot. With no other choice, he took a chance and fired with his left foot.

As predicted, Archie Stoke, the goalkeeper for Jermaine Walter Academy, managed to get his strong right hand to Charles's shot, pushing it toward the far post. But the force of the shot was too much, and the ball spilled back into play.

Fortunately for Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution, Moses, one of their defenders, was quick to react and was the first to get to the ball. With swift clearance, Moses sent the ball as far as he could, reaching Jerry, who was positioned outside the penalty box, waiting for the ball to arrive.

When the ball reached Jerry, it was moving at a fast pace, as Moses hadn't intended to pass it to someone specific. But Jerry, a player known for his incredible skill, controlled the ball with his side foot, performing an overhead pass to Jordan, who was sprinting down the right wing, with the ball arriving perfectly in his path.

Jerry, full of adrenaline, started running down the right flank, pushing forward as the Jermaine Walter Academy defenders, now caught on the back foot, scrambled to get into position. They were rushing backward, trying to get themselves in a better position to neutralize the counterattack from Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution.

As Jordan approached the edge of the Jermaine Walter Academy penalty box, Dax Walker, the left-back for Jermaine Walter Academy, committed to closing him down. Jordan, aware of Dax's movement, still drove the ball toward him. However, his speed had decreased significantly, and he was still calculating his next move. The seconds seemed to stretch out as both players seemed to hesitate.

Suddenly, Dax lunged forward, aiming to catch Jordan off guard and nick the ball from him with a well-timed tackle. But Jordan, anticipating this move, was faster. With a quick touch, he shifted the ball from his left foot to his right, executing a deft move that saw the ball slip between Dax's legs. In a flash, Jordan sprinted past Dax, leaving him in his wake.

Dax, not willing to give up, quickly regained his footing and sprinted to close the gap, determined to get back into the play. Jordan, now with a clear line to the byline, slowed momentarily, then played a perfect through ball into the penalty area.

At the same time, Jerry, having observed Jordan's brilliant pass, charged toward the ball, timing his run perfectly. Without hesitation, he struck the ball first time, sending it toward the goal with incredible precision. The Jermaine Walter Academy defenders raced towards the ball in a last-ditch attempt to prevent the goal, but they were too far away to make a difference.

As the ball sped toward the net, the Jermaine Walter Academy goalkeeper made a dive towards it, but he just couldn't keep it out. Jerry's shot found its mark and nestled in the back of the net.