Floodlights

Chapter 15

Inside the dressing room the temperatures were being raised by muscle rub being splashed around, nerves beginning to rise and the hustle and bustle of players moving in such a confined space. The final preparations were being followed by each player including Matthew. After going to the toilet Matthew splashed his hair so it was wet enough to push out of his face and he almost slicked it back. He slid his shin pads down his socks and fixed his garments. He was ready already and wanted to get started. The adrenalin begun to be slowly released in each player diffusing through their systems causing them to shake their legs when sitting waiting for Graeme's final instruction.

"Boys, change of formation today. They play with 3 at the back and so will we. Match them player for player. Matthew you play as the third central midfield in that attacking role. Two lads do the defensive behind you. One sweeper, wing backs. It's all on the board. You all done it before. Look, boys I've been proud of ya these last two months. You should be proud of yourselves. But you better wake the fuck up tonight! One last fucking chance! Believe in it and the first ten minutes beat them then. Every challenge every throw every pass. Just get out there and fucking do it!!"

The adrenalin now is ready to be allowed full freedom in their bodies. On Graeme's last word simultaneously on the buzzer they all sprang up from their seats with a loud war cry, "Don't leave it in here. Come on Braystown!"

Walking down the now sheltered narrow tunnel the players feel like caged animals. Matthew winds his brain up and gets his ultimate match focus. Already his stomach tenses with the adrenalin in his body and the aggression that is boiling up inside of him. He is now prepared to be first to every ball and winner of every tackle. Walking out of the tunnel like old Roman gladiators, they all do a little sprint: one last cry from the body for the game to be started.

The small crowd begin the claps the team out. Matthew's dad stands right up on the concrete standing areas and by the tunnel waiting to watch his son's old self play. Graeme followed his team out and noticed Matthew's dad.

"Ello mate. Nice to see you here."

"Thanks Graeme. Came to see the kid play before he leaves."

"Last two games he has been amazing."

"What do you think of today?"

"No idea, no idea at all. I'm quite nervous mate. Anyway I better go. Oh before I go the wife wants to invite you both round for dinner. I'll talk to you afterward."

"That'll be nice. Good luck."

"If Matty does his thing we won't need it."

The referee calls the captains to the centre and does the coin toss. Matthew stands in the middle of his half and just looks at the other end of the pitch. Forgetting every sound and every person on it he just looks at the enormity what is ahead of him. His heart trembles with love for it before thumping with fear of what the opposition could offer and what would happen if they don't win. Bending down Matthew tacks a couple of strands of grass and holds them to his mouth.

"Old friend I need you again. It's great to be back."

Throwing the grass away he springs up and loosens his hips. The sky begins to break slightly well away from the ground in the direction of the sea. Small patches of the night sky break temporarily through the cloud barrier. The wind begins to slightly pick up lessening the heavy air and making the sky swirl. The clouds are on the move. The referee's whistle blows and the teams line up for kick off. Matthew cries out, "Come on Braystown!"

The teams' eyes locked on one another and the first pass was made. Finally all their pent up focus and adrenaline can be let out. The opening exchanges showed Braystown's nerves more than their class with the defenders showing a lack of composure with too many long balls searching for players who weren't there. 'Percentage balls' as Graeme called them were the order of the first period with both teams hesitantly feeling one another out and seeing whose energy would burn out first. There were small skirmishes by either side into their opposition's territory when a defender took a bad touch and had to clear the all for a throw in allowing the other team to move up the pitch or when a striker managed to control the ball and cause a free kick to be awarded. The midfield on the whole was being by passed. Matthew started the game very elusively just doing 'doggies' and longer sprints across the field when they switched from defence to attack and back again.