The holiday break ended quicker than anyone wanted. By January 2nd, the academy ground was buzzing again. Frost clung to the grass, the air sharp and cold enough to sting lungs.
Coach Frank stood in the middle of the pitch with a whistle in hand. "Alright, lads. Shake the turkey out your system. We've got Walsall Saturday. Today's training session is all about regaining your sharpness."
He pointed at the two piles of bibs on the touchline. "You'll be split into two teams of Red vs Black for a full pitch scrimmage of 70 minutes, 35 minutes each half. No excuses. Show me you're ready to get a place in the starting lineup."
The teams lined up:
Red Bibs:
Tommy Henderson – GK
Danny Mills – CB
Dean Halberg – CB
Reece Holloway – RB
Ollie Waters – LB
Jayden Rowe – CDM
Kai Moreno – CM
Noah Perring – CAM
Riley Croft – RWF
Harry Whittaker – LWF
Nathan Keene – ST
Black Bibs:
Tyler Vane – GK
Lewis Chaney – CB
Finlay Hume – CB
Jamie Dunstall – RB
Kian Madders – LB
Zak Donnelly – CDM
Dylan Shore – CM
Jamie Walsh – CM/AM
Eli Fortis – RWF
Marcus Thompson – LWF
Oscar Dealtry – ST
Coach Frank blew his whistle. "Game on!"
---
The first few minutes were scrappy. Legs felt heavy, touches were loose, and passes went astray. Harry could see it in everyone's faces—the Christmas pudding was still weighing them down.
"Come on!" Danny shouted from the back. "Wake up!"
Harry received the ball from Noah on the left wing, but his first touch was poor. The ball bounced off his shin, allowing Kian Madders to close him down quickly.
Harry grimaced. Even in training, the system was keeping score.
Jamie Walsh picked up the loose ball and immediately looked to switch play. His pass found Eli Fortis on the right wing, who had acres of space with Ollie Waters caught out of position.
"Track back!" Frank yelled from the sideline.
Eli cut inside, leaving Ollie scrambling. Dean Halberg stepped out to close him down, but Eli was quicker, slipping the ball through to Oscar Dealtry.
Oscar took one touch and shot low toward the bottom corner.
Tommy Henderson dived to his right, getting strong hands on it. The ball spilled loose, but Danny Mills was there to clear it upfield.
"Better, Tommy!" Frank called. "Defense, stay organized!"
---
The Red team gradually found their rhythm. Harry dropped deeper to collect the ball, his positioning instinct kicking in. He could see the gaps in the Black team's midfield—Dylan Shore was tracking Nathan Keene but leaving space behind him.
"Noah!" Harry called, receiving a pass from Jayden Rowe.
He played it simple to Noah Perring, who was hovering just outside the penalty area. Noah took one touch to set himself, then threaded a ball through for Nathan to chase.
But Tyler Vane was off his line quickly, collecting the ball just outside the box.
"Good goalkeeping!" Frank shouted.
The Black team countered fast. Tyler rolled the ball to Lewis Chaney, who hit a long diagonal pass out to Marcus Thompson on the left.
Marcus had pace to burn. He knocked the ball past Reece Holloway and charged down the touchline.
Harry tracked back to help, but Marcus was already crossing. A low, hard ball whipped across the six-yard box.
Oscar Dealtry was there in the 18-yard box, sliding in.
Tommy Henderson made himself big, the ball hitting his outstretched leg and spinning away for a corner.
"Brilliant save!" Danny called.
[DING!]
[+1 XP – Defensive Recovery Run. Big chance created due to quick transition.]
The system rewarded Harry for his tracking back and awareness in finding Noah for a fast counterattack, even though he hadn't made the cross.
---
Fifteen minutes in, the Red team finally clicked.
Harry received the ball on the left wing, facing up Kian Madders. This time, his touch was clean, the ball sticking to his foot.
He dropped his shoulder, selling the dummy. Kian bought it, leaning the wrong way. Harry cut inside, accelerating into the space.
Zak Donnelly slid across to cover, but Harry was already thinking ahead. He could see Riley making a run on the far side, dragging Jamie Dunstall with him.
Instead of trying to beat Zak, Harry played a square ball to Kai Moreno in the center circle.
Kai took one touch and hit a perfect switch pass to Riley on the right wing.
Riley had space. Lots of it.
He drove forward, Lewis Chaney backing off, not wanting to get caught out of position. Riley got to the byline and whipped in a cross.
Nathan Keene was already moving, timing his run perfectly. He rose above Finlay Hume, powering a header toward goal.
Tyler Vane got a fingertip to it, but not enough. The ball crashed against the crossbar and bounced down.
Harry was following up, gambling on the rebound. The ball sat up perfectly for him.
He didn't think. Just volleyed it with his right foot.
The net bulged.
1-0 to the Red team.
"Yes!" Nathan shouted, grabbing Harry around the neck. "What a strike!"
[DING!]
[+1 XP – Good Positioning for Rebound]