Frank nodded from the sideline. "That's more like it! Keep the intensity!"
The goal seemed to wake up the Black team. Jamie Walsh started dropping deeper to collect the ball, dictating the tempo. His passing range was impressive—left foot, right foot, short, long, he could do it all.
In the twenty-second minute, he nearly leveled the score.
A corner kick came in from the right. The ball was cleared to the edge of the box, where Jamie was waiting.
He struck it first time with his left foot. The shot was clean, dipping toward the top corner.
Tommy Henderson flew through the air, fingertips brushing the ball just enough to send it over the bar.
"Unlucky, Jamie!" Frank called. "Great hit!"
The Black team kept pressing. Oscar Dealtry was a handful up front, using his strength to hold up play and bring others into the game.
In the thirtieth minute, he almost scored from a clever move.
Eli Fortis cut inside from the right, drawing defenders toward him. At the last second, he slipped the ball to Oscar on the edge of the box.
Oscar's first touch was perfect, taking him away from Dean Halberg. His second touch was a shot, curled toward the far post.
Tommy dived desperately, but the ball was heading for the corner.
Until Danny Mills appeared from nowhere, throwing his body in the way.
The ball cannoned off his chest and spun away for a corner.
"Captain!" Harry shouted, pumping his fist.
Danny picked himself up, mud streaked across his shirt. "That's what defenders do!"
As the first half wound down, the Red team pressed for a second goal.
Harry found himself in a good position on the left wing again, the ball at his feet. This time, he tried something different.
Instead of cutting inside, he went down the line, using his pace to get past Kian Madders on the outside.
He reached the byline with space to cross. Nathan was in the box, making his move. Riley was at the back post. Noah was hovering on the edge of the area.
Harry whipped in a cross with his left foot, aiming for the penalty spot.
It was a good delivery, hanging in the air long enough for Nathan to adjust his run.
But Tyler Vane came out and claimed it cleanly, calling loudly to avoid any collision.
"Good cross!" Frank shouted. "Keep testing him!"
The whistle blew for half-time. 1-0 to the Red team.
Frank gathered both teams in the center circle, everyone breathing hard and steaming in the cold air.
"Better. Much better from both sides. Red team, good movement and finishing. Black team, you're growing into it. Keep the pressure up."
He looked around the group. "Second half, I want to see more intensity. More pressing. More commitment to every ball."
Harry took a swig from his water bottle, feeling the familiar burn in his legs. But his mind was sharp, focused.
[Training Summary]
[Goals: 1, Key Passes: 2, Defensive Actions: 1]
[Current XP: +2 for half]
The numbers were encouraging, but Frank was right. There was more to give.
"Ready for the second half?" Noah asked, jogging beside him as they took their positions.
Harry nodded, eyes fixed on Tyler Vane in the Black team's goal.
"Always."
The whistle blew, and the battle resumed.
The second half started with the Black team on the front foot. Jamie Walsh dropped deep again, demanding the ball from Lewis Chaney.
"Play quicker!" he barked, firing a pass into Dylan Shore.
The tempo lifted. Dylan switched it wide to Eli Fortis, who was hugging the touchline. Eli had Ollie Waters one-on-one and wasted no time, pushing the ball past him with a burst of pace.
"Close him down!" Danny Mills shouted, stepping out.
Eli whipped a low cross into the six-yard box. Oscar Dealtry threw himself at it, beating Dean Halberg to the ball.
Smack!
The shot rattled the post and bounced back into play.
Harry was first to react. He sprinted toward the loose ball, body leaning forward, lungs burning. He poked it away before Jamie Walsh could shoot again.
[DING!]
[+1 XP – Quick Defensive Reaction]
The Red team tried to counter. Harry carried the ball up the left, cutting inside past Kian Madders. Zak Donnelly closed him down, strong in the tackle.
Harry shielded it, waiting for support. Kai Moreno arrived, calling for it.
"Here!"
Harry slipped it to him. Kai turned sharply, dodging Dylan Shore, and threaded a pass through to Nathan Keene.
Nathan sprinted clear, one-on-one with Tyler Vane.
He shot low, aiming for the corner.
But Tyler spread himself wide, boot sticking out to block it. The ball deflected behind for a corner.
"Not today!" Tyler roared.
Even Frank clapped. "That's a proper save!"
The game grew sharper. Challenges flew in harder, players barking instructions at each other. Frosty breath drifted from their mouths, but no one slowed down.
Jamie Walsh started dictating his team's tempo again. He clipped a pass over the top for Marcus Thompson, who raced into space.
Marcus cut inside to his stronger foot, shaping to shoot.
Bang!
Dean Halberg slid in perfectly, crunching the ball away without fouling.
"Brilliant, Dean!" Danny roared.
The Red defense stood firm, but the Black team weren't letting up.
Harry found himself tracking back more often now, his stamina holding up better than expected. The Christmas break hadn't done too much damage after all.
In the fifty-eighth minute, he almost created the second goal.
A corner kick was cleared to the edge of the box. Harry collected it cleanly, turned, and spotted Riley making a run down the right flank.
The pass was weighted perfectly, splitting two defenders. Riley gathered it in stride and charged toward the byline.
His cross was dangerous, curling toward the penalty spot where Nathan was waiting.
Nathan's header was on target, but Tyler Vane pulled off another brilliant save, tipping it over the bar.
"So close!" Frank shouted. "Keep creating those chances!"