Fine Line

From the sidelines

Ella watched helplessly on the bench as the lionesses struggled to get out the gates against Nigeria.

The game was scrappy, Mearps having to spring into action more than one would like. England getting lucky with a few Nigerian shots hitting the woodwork.

She picked at her fingers and bit her lip watching on as the minutes felt like hours.

The second the team were getting on the front foot, a pass would go awry or a touch would be a little heavy. Out of everyone on the pitch, Ella found herself keeping a closer eye on one particular player. Alessia.

She watched as she slowly seen the striker get more and more frustrated. The blonde having to track back and help defend.

The squad looked clunky. It didn't seem like the close knit side they were capable of playing as. The midfielder shared the frustration of her best friend, or more for her best friend. She could see how much effort Alessia was putting in. She was leaving nothing out there.

After a heavy touch in midfield, Ella watched as Alessia tracked back once again to stop the Nigerian counterattack in its tracks. She noticed the striker lunge to the ground, toeing the ball out of play. Getting up rather gingerly, trying to walk something off. Then Ella seen it. The blondes face scrunched in pain as she leant over, clutching the back of her leg.

It was her hamstring.

Tooney had been there during the horrendous injury the striker suffered during her first months at United. It was horrendous in the way it would linger, the blonde followed the recovery to the letter and was rewarded for that. But ever since it happened, it still gave her trouble. Through cramping, pulling and straining. Oh how Ella hoped it was just cramp.

"You alright El?" Zel asked innocently, looking across to the brunette who was laser focused on the field.

"Hmmm?" Ella snapped out of her gaze, absentmindedly looking at Katie.

"You okay?" Her Manchester teammate asked again.

"Yeah!" She nodded shyly, her eyes darting back to the field looking for Alessia again.

"You look like you're about to cry" Katie chuckled.

"Oh it's just.. I'm.. this is stressful" Ella eventually giggled and Zel chuckled back, nodding, appearing to be satisfied with Tooneys half minded response.

Ella's eyes finally found the striker again. She seemed to be ok. Apart from the slight limp she now carried. The brunette stole glances at their usually laid back head coach.

Sarinas eyes scanning the bench, she had also clearly seen Alessia's discomfort.

Then it happened. Possibly one of the most controversial moments of the World Cup. The LJ red card. Ella was gutted as soon as she seen the ref blow up. She was gutted for LJ. She knew the midfielder was going to be a massive loss to them if they could get out of this game. Her mind started to race. Who would Sarina bring on for LJ? Ella would've been the coaches go to in recent games but now she wasn't an option. Sarina would need to go for a different approach. One that meant... oh.

As the dots connected in Ella's mind she let out a deep sigh, running her fingers through her hair.

Surely enough, as Ella thought she would. Sarina made the change.

She watched as the prolific figure of Chloe Kelly walked toward the 4th official. The whistle blew and Ella seen the look of disappointment on Alessia face. She observed as the blonde high fived Chloe as she passed her, making her way to the bench. Shaking Sarinas hand, the head coach speaking words of encouragement to her as she walked by.