In the twenty-seventh minute, the deadlock finally broke.
Kai Moreno won a tackle in the center circle, immediately looking up. He spotted Riley making a diagonal run across the pitch, dragging his marker with him.
Instead of playing the obvious pass, Kai went the other way. A clever ball to Harry, who had drifted deeper to find space.
Harry's first touch was perfect, cushioning the ball as he turned. The Walsall right-back was already closing him down, but Harry had seen this pattern before.
One step-over with his left foot. The defender bought it.
Harry exploded past him on the outside, using his pace advantage. The touchline was coming up fast, but he had just enough space.
Instead of cutting back inside, Harry did something unexpected. He looked up and saw Nathan making his move in the box, but also spotted Noah arriving late from midfield.
Harry's cross was low and hard, aimed at the penalty spot. Nathan got there first, but his touch was heavy under pressure from the center-back.
The ball spilled loose.
Noah Perring was following up, exactly where he needed to be. Without breaking stride, he struck it first time with his right foot.
The shot was clean, powerful, and perfectly placed. It flew into the bottom corner, giving the Walsall keeper no chance.
1-0 to Salford.
The home crowd erupted. Parents jumped up from their seats, scarves were waved in the air, and Harry almost swore he could hear Sophie screaming his name above the roar of the crowd.
Noah was already wheeling away toward the corner flag, arms spread wide. Harry chased after him, closely followed by Nathan and Kai.
"What a ball, Harry!" Noah shouted as they celebrated. "Right on the money!"
[DING!]
[+2 XP – Assist]
[Current Experience: 135/400]
Coach Frank was pumping his fist on the touchline, but already shouting instructions. "Stay focused! Keep playing! Don't sit back!"
The goal had come at the perfect time. Walsall had been growing into the game, but now they were chasing it. The psychological advantage had shifted entirely.
---
Walsall's response was immediate and aggressive. They threw more players forward, their big striker becoming even more physical in his battles with Danny and Dean.
In the thirtieth minute, they almost found an equalizer. A corner kick caused chaos in the Salford box. Tommy Henderson came for it but couldn't get there. The ball dropped to a Walsall midfielder eight yards out.
His shot was goal-bound until Ollie Waters threw his body in the way. The ball cannoned off his chest and spun behind for another corner.
"Brilliant, Ollie!" Tommy shouted, relief evident in his voice.
The second corner was more dangerous. Walsall's tallest player met it cleanly, his header crashing against the crossbar.
The rebound fell to their striker, but his snap-shot from six yards was blocked by a forest of red shirts.
"Clear it! Clear it properly!" Danny screamed as the ball eventually went out for a goal kick.
Harry could see Coach Frank on the touchline making calming gestures with his hands. The message was clear: stay composed, don't panic.
But Walsall weren't finished. Their right-winger was causing problems for Ollie Waters, using his pace to get in behind. In the thirty-fifth minute, he almost created the equalizer.
A quick throw-in caught Salford napping. The winger was away down the flank before Ollie could react. His cross was dangerous, whipped in low toward the near post.
Their striker was there, sliding in to meet it. The connection was clean, the finish looked certain.
Tommy Henderson had other ideas though.
The goalkeeper flung himself across his line, getting just enough on the ball to turn it around the post. It was a save that would have impressed Premier League scouts. And as he scrambled up, most of the scouts in the stands began jotting down on their books whilst nodding approvingly.
"What a save!" Frank roared, his composure finally cracking.
The ensuing corner came to nothing, but the warning was clear. One goal wasn't enough to cement their lead. Salford needed to be smarter, more clinical in the final-third.
As the first half entered its final minutes, Harry could feel his legs getting heavier. But his mind was sharp, already thinking about the second half.
Walsall would come out fighting after the break. They were too good a side to lie down quietly.
But Salford had the lead, had the momentum, and had shown they could create chances against organized opposition.
Harry glanced toward the stands, spotting his family again. His mum was on her feet, hands pressed together in nervous prayer. Ellie was shouting instructions that nobody could hear over the crowd noise. And Sophie was wearing her biggest grin, pointing at Harry every time he touched the ball.
This was what he played for. This feeling, this moment, this chance to make his family proud.
The referee checked his watch and raised his whistle to his lips.
Fweeee! Fweeeee! Fweeeeeee!~
Three sharp blasts echoed around the ground.
Half-time: Salford City U18 1-0 Walsall U18.
Harry jogged toward the tunnel, chest heaving but spirits high. They'd taken the lead, weathered Walsall's response, and shown they belonged at this level.