On the Spot Read Online Free Page A

and added his congratulations to the rookie keeper as they went into the team-talk room.
    â€œWe’re a goal down, but you’re doing a great job, Marek,” Sam began. “We were unlucky to concede the first one, but that save just now was fantastic!” Marek lookedpleased. “It’s been tight so far defensively,” she went on. “But we’re struggling going forward. Geno doesn’t have Marek’s height, so we can’t cross the ball in like we used to. We need to keep it on the ground and use his pace. Eboni and Ashanti, swap sides in the second half. I want you both cutting in and shooting rather than crossing. Got that?”
    â€œYes, Sam,” the twins chorused.
    â€œGood. Roddy and Keira, you two should be pushing up whenever we’ve got the ball. Three people in the box will worry them a lot more than just Geno on his own. Four defenders plus Stephen should be able to cope with the Stiles attack, so let’s get up their end and make a game of it!”
    The Charlton team have come on to the pitch looking fired up. From the kickoff, they’re looking to get the ball forward. Sanders passes the ball out right to Ashanti…
no, it’s Eboni Nagel, they’ve swapped sides. Nagel runs at the full-back, who is expecting her to make for the by-line, but instead she cuts inside leaving him completely wrong-footed. She bursts into the penalty area, drawing the keeper towards her, then plays a simple ball square to Perotti, who calmly pushes it into an open goal. Game on.
    Sam cheered from the touchline. Her plan had paid dividends right away. “Brilliant,” she said. “Let’s have another one of those!”
    Stiles kick off, and their captain is raging at his players. It certainly seems to be motivating them, as Charlton are being held in their own half again, and their goal is peppered with long-range shots. Dvorski is coping well so far, but the pressure is unrelenting. He makes another excellent save, tipping the ball over the bar for a corner.
    Roddy had seen Mr Jenkins arrive soon after the second half began, accompanied by the senior captains. He knew that it was vital to be seen playing well, in order to secure a place in the starting eleven for the first team’s match against Leeds. It was still almost four weeks until the game, and Roddy didn’t want to be left on the bench.
    Piper heads the corner clear, and the ball is picked up by Jones. With so many players forward, Stiles have left big gaps in defence, and that’s exactly what the young Welsh-Brazilian thrives on. He pushes the ball forward, and leaves everyone else for dead with his pace. Carr is there ahead of him and, as Jones tries to get past, his shirt is tugged by the Stiles captain. Jones tries to play on, but the ref has blown for a free kick. He’s summoned Carr over to him, and it’s his second yellow card! Jack Carr has been sent
off, and Stiles will play the rest of the game with ten men. It’s an early bath for the Stiles captain!
    Roddy was relieved to see Jack leaving the pitch. He’d been getting more and more angry, and Roddy counted himself lucky that he’d only had his shirt pulled. It could have been much worse. Now, Charlton had the advantage.
    Stephen Mbeki, Charlton’s defensive midfielder takes the free kick and plays it short to Sanders, who passes it to Jones. Jones knocks the ball up to Perotti, who does well to hold off two defenders and play it back towards Jones. Jones runs on to the ball and drives a low shot in from the edge of the area. The keeper dives for it, but the ball slides under his body and into the back of the net. 2–1 to Charlton!
    Roddy glanced at Mr Jenkins, who wasstanding on the touchline. He was talking to David, the Charlton House captain, but was it about Roddy, or just the match? Roddy put it to the back of his mind, and went back to his own half for the kickoff.
    Charlton will want to sit