My Goalkeeping System

The players were all in the locker room now pulling off their wet clothes and changing into their training outfits but Mateo didn't like the idea of going out to train under that intense rain.

"Let's go boys, I know some of you don't like the idea of going out there to warm up but Sheffield United players are already out there," Norman said. "This is the only way that we can get used to the condition before the match kicks off."

"Yeah, coach is right, it's quite harsh out there but we're going to have to play under it anywhere, we don't have a choice."

'Yeah, that's right.' Mateo said subconsciously. 'I just wish it wasn't raining.'

The players made their way to the pitch to find Sheffield United players already warming up there but it didn't look like they had been there for a long time.

"Hey, Mateo, why don't you come give me a few long shots?" Dave said after placing his hands on his shoulders.

"Okay." The winger replied.

"Let's go then." The goalkeeper said before dragging him onto the pitch along with him.

Both teams got on the pitch for their warm-up pretty late so it didn't take long before they all had to return to the locker rooms and start getting ready for the match.

For this match, the Bilbeth Premier League side were going to be putting on their orange jersey with the black polka dots while the players from the opposing side were going to be putting on their black away kit.

Both teams met in the tunnel where they had to wait before they were asked to start making their way onto the pitch.

They waited there for a while before they were asked to start making their way to the pitch and just as they made their way into the area, the whole stadium began to ring with applause from the fans.

"Welcome to all our viewers from all around the world, it's your regular commentator Jim Waterson and joining me in the studio to offer his expert analysis and opinion is my regular co-commentator, Mr. Steve Jefferson."

"Thank you, Jim, it's really nice to be back here, welcome everyone," Steve said.

"We have a nice matchup here today but first we have to talk about the weather, this is clearly the type of weather the players will complain about, it's been raining since morning and it's still raining." Jim articulated.

"Yeah, this kind of rain isn't nice for anyone and we will be hoping that it stops soon, but for the moment that it's still pouring down, the players will just have to do their stuff under it," Steve said.

After going through all the processes before the kick-off as both commentators went through the lineups, it was now time to start the match.

Unlike before, Carlos was the one standing over the ball with Mateo standing a little distance ahead of him.

"The match is about to kick off, and just like I said earlier, I have a feeling that this match is going to give us the tingles," Jim said.

Carlos was waiting for the referee's whistle, and as soon as he heard it, he passed the ball to Mateo who quickly lobbed it far ahead toward Fred who had quickly escaped from the players around him right on time.

"What's this?" Jim said as soon as Fred caught hold of the ball with the players hot on his trail.

There was no way that they were going to get to him before he did what he wanted to do as he had already closed up on the goalkeeper.

"He's surely going to put it away now!" Jim exclaimed.

The goalkeeper quickly rushed out to try and stop him, but before the goalkeeper could get to him, he sent it past him from the low right where his hands just couldn't get to it.

"Fred!" The commentator exclaimed. "It's in! It's a goal! What a start to the game! What a finish from Fred Miles!"

The fans in the stands went wild with applause, chants, and cheers as the striker rushed to the sidelines and did a neat backflip.

Once his feet touched the floor again, he screamed at the tip of his voice.

"We're here!" He yelled. "We are not going to give a damn this season!"

It didn't take long before a few of his teammates gathered around him including Mateo who he had to give a special high five.

"I'm glad that went right." The goalkeeper muttered before he turned to face the fans behind his goalpost with both of his hands raised and a grin on his face.

"That was perfectly executed, perfect timing, neat and pin-point accuracy from Mateo, and what a wonderful finish from Fred, I think this match is already starting to give us those tingles I talked about. What a way to start the match." Jim expressed.

"Yeah, that was a nice first impression, an early lead is essential for a very good boost in confidence but let's see how Sheffield United responds. This Unique FC side has been impressing me for quite a while." Steve articulated.

That goal seemed to have stirred up a lot of reaction online and a lot of people had a lot of things to say about it, of course, that wasn't all they were talking about.

'Did you guys see that goal?!'

'What a goal, Mateo Smith is wonderful with his passes but I did not expect Fred to finish it so smoothly.'

'These guys have only managed to lose one match so far in their string of friendlies and it wasn't even a bad loss, they held Manchester United down to a draw and now they're putting up executions like this, I have to say, these guys are really lighting up.'

'Right from the last matches last season, I noticed a big change in this team, especially from their goalkeeper. The dude started getting good and now he's turned into a rock. That performance against Manchester United was all the proof that I needed.'

'They're certainly doing good but let's see how they cope when the season kicks off.'

'Brilliant goal, wonderful finish, things I like to see from Unique FC.'

'Watch out Bilbeth Premier League, my team is back and they're coming with a bang this season!'

"Let's see how Sheffield United will respond," Jim said.

One of their players was standing over the ball waiting for the referee's whistle and as soon as he blew it, he attempted to lob the ball to the player behind Henry but the ball didn't go as high as he wanted it to so it was an easy interception by Henry who quickly sent it flying to Jonas.

"Oh, that was a clumsy attempt," Jim commented.

"If you want to do something, go all out and do it, nod they've lost the ball to Unique, they'll wish they hadn't lost it this soon, Sheffield United has already started the match with mistakes and if they keep up like this, Unique FC will bring them down."

****

New year mass release goals.

A magic castle= one extra chapter.

Two magic castles= two extra chapters.

Mass release for goals met last month will still be rewarded on the due dates.