The Franklin Match: Striking Back

The second half starts out with a bang. As predicted, the Franklin team quickly wins possession and storms into your half, ready to replicate the success of their first half. This time, however, your team has a sense of purpose. You play compact at the back, shutting down their attack, while Daphne and Jack at the front are constantly weaving between the lines of their defense, ready to make a run the moment an opportunity arises.

The first attempt your team makes doesn’t quite work out. Jason hoofs the ball up far and Jack sprints after it, but though he beats the defender, the ball goes out the side before he can reach it. It’s a good try.

On the throw-in, they assemble a lightning quick attack down the wing. You try stopping the winger, closing down on her fast, but she makes a fast move to the side, faking you out. She tries to cross the ball right into the box, but you manage to pivot just in time, sticking a foot out to block the pass. Surprised, she stumbles, and you manage to win back possession, getting the ball to Valentine.

The next ten minutes pass by without much action. You tighten up more defensively, giving the opposition no chances in. Your strategy pays off. They start getting antsier and that makes them sloppier. Eventually, it gives your team the opening that you’ve been looking for. Katie’s the one to find the angle this time, playing out a long ball to Daphne. She sprints ahead, dribbling the ball with breathtaking speed, two defenders hot on her heels, but it’s clear that this is going to end up becoming a one on one. Their keeper sprints out of the goal in a last ditch attempt at defense. He’s large, low to the ground, ready to dive whichever way the ball goes. Instead, Daphne chips the ball high, and you struggle to hold in laughter as you watch the goalie throw his hands up in desperation. He’s tall, but not ten feet tall. The ball arcs neatly over him and rolls into the goal.

“Nice pass,” you call out to Katie, and she gives you a thumbs up as your team celebrates.

The happiness doesn’t last. Not five minutes later, and a thunderous shot from one of their midfielders is barely stopped by Keegan. The ball goes out for a corner. They play it short, transitioning into the kind of gameplay that they’ve been practicing all game long. None of you were expecting it, though, and the moment’s confusion is enough to get the ball to one of their strikers unmarked. Keegan makes a dive for the ball, but there’s only so much that he can do. It slips past his fingertips and ends up in the back of the net.

Time is slipping away, but you’re only a goal down. You’ve got enough in the tank to make something happen. You drop back slightly, slowing down your runs and feigning fatigue, giving the striker that you’re marking a bit more space to work with. He calls for the ball the next time he’s open, and he’s given a pass aimed straight for his legs. It would be a beautiful pass, except for the fact that you’ve suddenly cut in, taking all your forward momentum with you as you press ahead. You manage to beat one of the midfielders with a bit of clever footwork, and then get the ball to Mars. This time, you all know the plan. Daphne and Jack sprint the moment Mars finds the angle, kicking the ball deep, but their defense has grown slightly wiser to your tricks. They’re ready for the move too, running back in pace with your attackers, and so though Jack manages to win the ball in a quick aerial duel, he has to head it backwards. It ends up at Katie’s feet. She passes it across the pitch to Khloe, who has miles of open space to work with, and the second twin manages to take the ball into the box. Their defense has regrouped, somewhat, with three of them in the box now. Khloe takes a shot anyways. It’s a good effort, looking like it’s going to curl in just under the crossbar, but the keeper gets a hand on it, sending it back out. There’s a tangle of limbs in the ensuing chaos, everyone trying to get their foot on the ball. One of their defenders manages to send the ball back out, but it’s a **** clearance, one that Katie easily receives. She takes a shot, and this time, it’s golden. The goal is a low and fast winner that the keeper couldn’t quite see between all the surprised defenders. Cheers go up from your side. Scores are drawn level now.

The game remains tense right up to its final moments, but when the ref blows the final whistle, it’s a tie. 2-2. A fair result, all things considered.

Daphne +3
Katie +3
Khloe +3
Jack +3
Keegan +3
Charlie +3
Jason +3
Javier +3
Mars +3
Valentine +3