"Alright lads, you're doing well". The manager said to the huddled teenagers inside the locker room. No one seemed to notice the stench of sweat that permeated the air, or rather they were used to that smell. "Keep this up and we're going to have ourselves a nice win". He continued. "Our attack has been flawless but we've had a few scares at the back". He looked at the defenders. "If you four don't put yourselves together then I'm going to have to make a few changes there".
"No worries coach". Tylen, qone of the fullbacks said. "Ain't no ball coming in through my side". He was from America.
"That's what I like to hear". The manager said even though he knew that the statement was a lie. Virtually all the threats from Preston United were from the left. "The head coach will be in in a moment and will give read out the second half tactics".
Very soon, the head coach came in and read some instructions to them. After he was done, he said some words of motivation which fired up the team and left.
"Alright team". Anthony said. "Let's go roast them. Ten Pounds on my hat trick". He said which made some of them chuckle.
'And the teams are returning from the locker rooms. I have to say, the lads from Preston are looking a lot more confident'.
'Well they're going to need all the confidence that they can get, won't they Tim? They have it all to do, coming from two goals down isn't an easy task'.
'I think that coach has planned for that. Two half time subs. He's introducing superstar South African striker Casey Mbena. He could be a real game changer'.
'That's right Jim, I heard that he scored thirty goals in the DSTV premiership (South African first tier) last season, winning the golden boot at the age of seventeen'.
'All of a sudden, this half looks to be quite interesting'.
The referee blew his whistle and the second half commenced.
Preston United started playing high pressing football, becoming more offensive. It was all predicted by Teeside's head coach. He already told them to be compact and keep a good defensive shape.
49'
Nothing that the head coach or the manager told them could've prepared them for what happened next.
A Preston United midfielder dribbled last Tylen and got into the box, he cut back and everyone believed that he was going to take a shot. He faked and passed it to the heavily marked Casey Mbena.
Conrad Bishop and Anthony Tyler immediately rushed towards him to intercept the ball.
If Casey was a normal striker then there was no way that he was going to get the ball. While facing this onslaught from Conrad and Anthony, he rushed forward towards the ball, bodying both Conrad and Anthony, dribbled backwards and shot the ball before the goal keeper could react.
Half of the team could only watch as his shot placed itself into the bottom left corner of the goalpost.
"Fuck!" Omari muttered. He'd been running backwards to help with the defense. He could only stop and kick the grass in frustration.
'Goooooaaaaaall! What a goal! What. A. Goal. Casey Mbena uses his physique to get the better of Bishop and Tyler, he turns and places the ball into the bottom corner. There's just so much commotion in the box that the goalkeeper can't react in time, what a goal by Casey Mbena!'.
'I'd think that they'd start pressing for an equalizer now that they've pulled a goal back'.
'That's right, and I bet Casey Mbena would be instrumental in their quest for an equalizer. If he keeps scoring goals like that then I don't think playing for the first team would be a problem'.
'He looks like he's going to be a real talent for Presrton United'.
Omari gritted his teeth when he watched Preston United carry out with their celebration. He quickly consoled himself. If they scored one, then he simply had to score two goals.
54'
Jack placed a through ball to the left. Omari and the right back raced towards the ball. Omari got there first and dribbled back, kicking the ball through the legs of the defender. He dribbled towards the ball and chipped the ball towards Anthony at the center.
Anthony hit the ball one time and shot it towards the bottom right corner. He was about to start celebrating when the goalkeeper slapped the ball away. The ball ricocheted off the palm of the keeper and went out for a corner.
67'
Once again, Omari's team were caught off guard. A Preston United centre back sent a long pass towards a midfielder. The midfielder sent a through ball towards a sprinting Casey Mbena.
Conrad and Anthony Tyler also ran after him in an attempt to stop him but Casey was too fast for them. He easily ran last them and set up a one on one between him and the keeper.
The keeper charged out to narrow the angle. Casey smiled and dribbled past the keeper and kicked the ball into the empty post.
"Fuck!"
That word reverberated inside the pitch. Virtually every single player in Omari's team cursed after witnessing the shot go into the empty net.
'What a goal! What. A. Goal. Another quality goal from Casey Mbena. He easily rushes last the two defenders and dribbled last the keeper before placing the shot into the empty goal. Preston United are level'.
'What a comeback from Preston United. If Casey keeps playing like that then Prestin United might actually run away with it'.
'Teesside must be livid with themselves. Who wouldn't be, they just let a two goal lead slip through their fingers. It'll be interesting to see how they respond to that'.