On the Spot (7 page)

“Yes!” Roddy leaped up and punched the air.

“Good decision!” said Geno, grinning wildly.

“It'll be great to have you in defence,” said Jimmy, looking relieved. “We work well together.”

“Thank you,” said Marek. “And for putting up with me. I know I've been a real pain recently.”

“It's hardly surprising,” said Roddy. “It must be really odd to start out in one position and then discover you're better at a totally different one. But Mr Jenkins is right. We need you as a goalie, Marek.”

The next morning in training, the first team lined up all together, and Mr Jenkins gave them some final advice about playing as a team. “I know it's a little strange playing alongside people who are your rivals in house matches, but that's exactly what it's like playing international football.

“You're on the same team now, and
you've got to leave your house differences behind. So let's see how you do, and I'll give you advice as you need it.”

Mr Jenkins was right, it
was
strange lining up alongside Moore, Stiles and Banks players. They'd all played together in small practice games before, but not a proper 11-a-side match. But at least Roddy knew he could rely on Keira beside him in the middle of the pitch.

Stadium School are getting ready for their first match of the season, and the ball is played back to captain Sanders from the kickoff. She brings it forward through the centre circle, then passes it square to Jones. The pass is intercepted by an opposing player, however, and suddenly the Stadium School defence is threatened. Piper comes charging out, but the ball is already gone, passed out to the wing. A swirling cross comes back in,
and with Piper stranded outside the box it's a free header. Luckily for Stadium School, Anichebe makes a comfortable save, but that wasn't the start they had in mind.

Mr Jenkins signalled for a time out. “Jimmy, the defence has to play as a unit,” he explained. “You always need to know where the rest of the back four is, and be sure they're covering all the attackers before you go wandering out like that. Dij will coordinate you as much as he can, but try to keep it tight. You can't play them offside on your own. And Roddy, as good as you are going forward, in a 4–4–2 there's nobody covering the defence if you and Keira both rush up the other end. You need to be disciplined, and stay back sometimes.” Mr Jenkins blew his whistle to restart the game, and immediately the team started playing better.

Patel with the ball now on the left wing for Stadium School, and he's managed to shake off his marker. He gets past another defender – what a great run! He slides the ball into the path of Bullard, who is forced wide by the centre back. He tries a shot, but the angle is too narrow and it's a routine save for Dvorski in the opposing team's goal.

“Don't be afraid to pass, Eric,” called Mr Jenkins. “Geno was in a better position to score. Sometimes you can't take the glory yourself. Play for the team!”

As the training session went on, the team grew in confidence. And by the time they had scored their third goal in the last practice game, Roddy felt more than ready to meet Leeds for the big match on Wednesday.

The weather wasn't kind on match day. It had rained heavily in the night, and now an icy wind was slicing through the trees.

Every match against other schools and academies was played on the original Stadium pitch. So, in spite of the sodden conditions, Roddy wasn't worried about the quality of the playing surface. In fact, he couldn't wait to get his first run out on to the pitch. He knew that the ground would be perfect – the pitch was the pride of the school.

Both teams were lined up at the changing-room end of the tree-lined avenue, which marked the site of the original players'
tunnel. The trees were sheltering them from the worst of the wind, but Roddy knew that as soon as they went on to the pitch it would hit them hard.

He shot a glance at Keira. Their captain looked uncharacteristically pale, but she was also fired up for her team's first outing. She caught his glance and grinned back excitedly.

Geno was smiling, too. Nothing seemed to be bothering him. Ali and Eric were too busy jumping up and down to keep warm to respond. Dij looked rather awed by the occasion. They would certainly miss Tom Larsson's safe pair of hands.

Roddy looked curiously at the Leeds players. If anything, they seemed more nervous. But then it was an away match for them. At least Roddy and his team-mates were in familiar surroundings.

The word was given, and the teams
started to move down the avenue. As they reached the pitch, every Stadium School player reached out and touched the back of the nearest pitch-side seat. It was supposed to be lucky to touch these original stadium seats, the only ones left after the fire.

And then they were running out on to the turf. Roddy glanced at the dugout, where the subs were waiting in their tracksuits. Marek was talking to a man, who was leaning over the back of the dugout. That must be his cousin.

Keira ran to the centre, where the ref was waiting. He tossed a coin and the opposing captain called. Leeds chose to start. Keira dropped back and waited for the whistle. They were off.

We're here today at Stadium School for this mid-week match. Leeds kick off and are passing the ball around well, not letting their
opponents get a look in. Leeds are searching for an opening in the Stadium School defence, and when they find one, they are capable of attacking with pace and numbers. Toby Harris, the Stadium School full-back slips on the wet turf, and immediately the Leeds winger is around him and preparing to cross. Four Leeds players have popped up in the penalty area, and the ball is hoisted in towards them. Piper heads it away, but another Leeds player, loitering just outside the box, fizzes a shot back in. It flies just over the crossbar, but had it been a foot lower, Anichebe would have had no chance. That's an early warning for Stadium School.

Anichebe takes the goal kick, and the game settles into a midfield battle, with Leeds dominating slightly. Jones and Sanders are working tirelessly for Stadium School, but this Leeds team may be just too much for
them today. Jones loses the ball, and the white-shirted Leeds players are streaming forward again. They burst through the defence, and Anichebe has no chance as he's left two against one. He moves out towards the player with the ball, but a simple pass and finish leaves the ball in the back of the net. 1–0 to Leeds.

Dij bawled at the defence, but it was nobody's fault. The pace of the Leeds attack had been formidable.

The teams form up in their own halves, and it's Perotti with the kickoff, to Bullard. Bullard looks around and sees Patel surging forward down the left wing. He knocks a lovely ball for him to run on to, and Patel reaches it well before the defenders. He takes a second to see where the rest of his team is, then runs into trouble and is forced to play it back to Jones. Leeds are putting
pressure on Stadium School every time they get the ball, and making it difficult for them to put any moves together. Jones is shielding the ball well with his body, though, and keeping possession for his team. Sanders is there to support him now, and he plays the ball to her. Sanders gets free with a burst of pace, but her pass is blown off course by the wind and goes out of play.

Stadium School were really struggling, especially with the bad weather. Playing long passes was all but impossible, but running with the ball was also difficult, thanks to the slippery grass. Leeds were happy to be a goal up, and concentrated on disrupting any attempts Stadium School made to get forward.

Another Stadium School attack breaks down, and Leeds are on the hunt for a second goal. Their captain splits the Stadium
School defence with a brilliant pass, and the Leeds striker claims his second goal with ease. 2–0 to Leeds. And Stadium School are in trouble.

Dij kicked the ball glumly down the field, and Roddy knew just how he felt. They were losing, it was nearly half-time and it didn't look as if they would be able to get back into the game. The rest of the team looked just as miserable as he did, and it was a relief when the whistle blew and they could all take a break. It was going to take something very special to turn the game around.

Mr Jenkins was waiting for them in the team-talk room.

“Two goals down at half-time doesn't have to be the end of the story,” he told them, handing out drinks and biscuits. “Ball control is tricky for both teams in these conditions, and long passes are the hardest. You're safer making short passes and finding yourselves space. Keep supporting each other and try not to give Leeds the chance to use the ball.” Mr Jenkins turned to Dij. “You've got a tough job out there, but you're coping well. Two goals isn't bad, it could easily have been a lot more. It's not your fault they've been all over us.”

Roddy was sorry that Marek wouldn't get his chance to play, but obviously Mr Jenkins thought he was too much of a risk when they were two goals down.

“Leeds are a bit weaker on your side of the pitch, Ali,” Mr Jenkins continued. “You've had some good possession, but the wind has whipped the ball out of play when you've passed it. Hang on to it a bit longer, until you can get closer to Geno. If you keep giving him the chances, he's going to get at least one in. Keira, be ready to scoop up any loose balls from Ali and get them back to Geno as well.”

He looked encouragingly at them all. “Leeds might come back out feeling complacent,” he said, “and if you play a strong, attacking game you may well catch them on the hop. Aim for two quick goals, before they have a chance to settle down.
And then we'll get some fresh legs on for the final push. Believe you can do it and you will!”

“You heard Mr Jenkins,” Keira urged her team. “We can still beat them. Come on!”

No changes at the start of the second half, with the Stadium School coach trusting the team he has to get the job done. They kick off, and immediately set about getting back into the game. Jones passes to Barker, who cuts inside and passes to Sanders. Sanders sprays it out to Patel, who beats two men before whipping in a cross. A defender gets there first and cuts it out, but is forced to put the ball behind for a corner. This is much more positive play from Stadium School, and Leeds will have to be careful. Jones takes the corner, and it finds its way to Perotti. Perotti shoots, but the keeper gets a hand to it. A defender tries to hack it away, but Bullard
is there and thrashes it into the net. A scrappy goal, but it counts. 2–1, and Stadium School are back in with a shout.

The home crowd cheered wildly, and Eric ran over to the corner flag, where Roddy was standing, to high-five him.

But Keira cut them short. “We're still a goal down!” she said. “We've got a lot more to do before we can start celebrating.”

Leeds restart the game, and that goal seems to have got their blood pumping again. Almost immediately they are pushing for a goal, and their striker is one on one with the keeper. Anichebe dives bravely down at the striker's feet, stopping a certain goal.

Roddy halted his run as play stopped. “What's happened?” he asked Keira.

“Dij. I think he got a kick to his head,” she gasped, catching her breath. “It looks as if Marek will have to be subbed on after all.”

Roddy watched as Dij got groggily to his feet with the help of Mrs Anstruther. Keira was right. Mr Jenkins was speaking to Marek, and now Marek was changing out of his tracksuit and getting warmed up on the touchline.

And so the substitute keeper takes his place in goal for the team. There is no time for him to warm up properly, and Leeds will be looking to exploit that. Dvorski puts on his gloves and prepares for action. Leeds sportingly give the ball back to Stadium School from the throw in, and it's passed back to Dvorski so he can get an early feel for it. He keeps the ball at his feet for a few seconds, before lumping it up the field to his team. Leeds intercept it, though, and work their way back towards the goal. A shot flies in from long range, but Dvorski is equal to it and makes a comfortable save. He rolls it out
to Harris, and Stadium School enter a period of possession.

“Nice one, Marek,” shouted Roddy. “Keep it up!”

Marek had made a solid save, and would be feeling more confident now. Roddy saw Marek's cousin applauding, too, which would give him a great boost.

As the minutes ticked by, Marek made save after save to keep them in the game, but at the other end of the pitch, there was less success. Geno was subbed off for John Finnigan, and Ali came off for Ashanti, as Mr Jenkins tried to find the equaliser. Fresh legs didn't quite seem to be able to do it, and the clock was running down. The ref had just signalled for two minutes of injury time when Roddy got the ball and saw the defence open up.