141: The A19 Derby of the "Kindergarten" (Part 1)

In the stands of Darlington’s home stadium, the orange-red lights bathed the entire stadium in a sea of fire.

The home fans’ songs were deafening, each note carrying hatred for Hartlepool United.

“Send those kids home to their mummies!”

“Tonight is your doomsday!”

Inside the away team’s locker room, the air was thick with the smell of disinfectant.

A dozen young players sat in their respective spots, some checking their shin guard straps, others flexing their ankle joints.

Old John pushed open the door, followed by Academy Director Pulis.

“Gentlemen, it’s noisy out there, but that’s just noise.”

Old John’s voice was calm; even the substitute in the corner, who had been tying his shoelaces, stopped and looked up.

“The real sound comes from the football beneath your feet.”

Scott Carson adjusted his gloves, his fingers gently bending to test their flexibility.

As captain, he could feel the nervous breaths of his teammates.

“Remember every detail from training.”

He turned to face his teammates.

“Bridcutt, your passes need to be quick and accurate.”

“Smith, use your speed, don’t try to outmuscle them.”

“Jones, make smart runs, don’t be too eager to show off.”

Fifteen-year-old Liam Jones nodded, his palms already sweating.

This was his first official match in his professional career, and the opponent was Darlington, a team full of fight in the derby.

Chris Smalling stood up and patted Jones on the shoulder.

“Relax, brother.”

“Hartley and I will protect the backline; you just need to focus on offense.”

Peter Hartley also walked over.

“The boss chose you to start, which means he believes in your ability.”

Outside the stadium, the Sky Sports broadcast van was already in position.

At the commentary booth, Martin Tyler was flipping through his notes.

“Tonight we will witness a very special A19 Derby.”

“Darlington has fielded their full-strength lineup, clearly wanting to defend their honor at home.”

“And on Hartlepool United’s side, the average age of the starting lineup is only 21.”

“This is a true clash of youthful storm against an experienced derby team.”

In the control room, the director was adjusting the angles of various cameras.

“Focus on number 15, Jones; this 15-year-old kid is making his first-team debut tonight.”

“Also, goalkeeper Carson, he is the spiritual pillar of this young team.”

Inside Darlington’s locker room, the atmosphere was completely different.

Joachim was hyping up his teammates.

“Do those kids think a derby is a playground game?”

“Tonight, let’s show them what real men’s football is!”

The head coach drew arrows on the tactics board.

“Hit them hard from the start, use physical confrontation to break their mental defenses.”

“These kids haven’t experienced real battle; they’ll collapse once they fall behind.”

In the player tunnel, both teams began to line up, ready to enter the field.

Darlington’s players were all tall and strong, their faces etched with fierceness.

Compared to their towering opponents, Hartlepool United’s players looked much slighter, but their straight backs and unwavering gazes showed an unyielding spirit.

Jones stood in the middle of the line, trying to appear more composed.

But his trembling legs betrayed his inner nervousness.

Smith noticed his teammate’s state and whispered:

“Liam, take a deep breath, imagine this is just an internal scrimmage at Phoenix Training Center.”

The entrance music started, and the players began to walk onto the field.

As soon as they stepped out of the tunnel, a deafening wave of boos crashed over them.

Darlington fans waved their scarves, loudly cursing every Hartlepool United player.

“Go back to your northern hovels!”

“Let your mommies pick you up!”

Jones’s steps were noticeably unsteady, and Carson immediately walked to his side.

“Look straight ahead, don’t mind them.”

The captain’s voice was remarkably strong amidst the clamor.

“We’re here to play football, not to listen to a concert.”

The players from both teams shook hands at midfield, the atmosphere tense.

When Joachim shook Jones’s hand, he deliberately squeezed hard.

“Little boy, don’t cry later.”

Jones gritted his teeth, not backing down.

“We’ll see on the field.”

The referee checked the starting lineups of both teams.

“Home team Darlington in a 4-4-2 formation: The goalkeeper is the experienced David Pressman; the defense is led by captain Mark Foster; the midfield core is veteran Tommy White; and up front, Julian Joachim is the team’s top scorer.”

“Away team Hartlepool United lines up in a 4-3-3: Goalkeeper and captain Scott Carson; central defensive partners are Smalling and Hartley; midfield core Bridcutt; the attacking trident consists of Smith, Jones, and right winger Oliver Baker.”

Hartlepool, Lin Feng’s office.

The giant display screen showed live footage of the match.

Lin Feng sat in a leather swivel chair, holding a cup of black tea.

The [System Interface] floated in front of him as a translucent data window.

Player Status Monitor

Carson: Nervousness 72%, Focus 85%

Smalling: Nervousness 45%, Focus 91%

Jones: Nervousness 89%, Focus 76%

Lin Feng raised his teacup, blowing away the rising steam; the reflection of the black tea in the cup showed no ripple.

“It’s normal to feel pressure the first time you play.”

He opened his communication device and contacted Old John on site.

“Tell the kids to relax; pressure will turn into motivation.”

“Stabilize for the first ten minutes, don’t rush to attack.”

The match officially began.

Darlington immediately showed an aggressive momentum.

Their midfielders swarmed every Hartlepool United player with the ball like hungry wolves.

Joachim continuously shouted from the front, directing his teammates’ runs.

“Push up! Show these kids what’s what!”

In the 3rd minute, Hartlepool United’s first pass went astray.

Bridcutt was startled by the opponent’s fierce pressing when he received the ball in midfield, passing it directly to the opposition.

Darlington immediately launched a quick attack.

White took the ball in midfield and sent a long pass to the onrushing Joachim.

Hartley and Smalling made a mistake in their coordination, giving Joachim a half-chance.

Carson decisively charged out and cleared the ball in time.

“Danger! Hartlepool United is in trouble right from the start!”

The commentator’s voice was tense.

“The young players are clearly affected by the atmosphere.”

The Darlington fans in the stands grew even more frantic.

“That’s it! Scare them to death!”

“A bunch of brats don’t deserve to be on this field!”

In the 7th minute, Darlington got another chance.

A cross from the wing found Joachim, whose header grazed the post.

Hartlepool United’s defense was teetering.

Jones looked isolated up front, as his teammates’ passes were always intercepted in midfield.

In the 10th minute, disaster finally struck.

After winning the ball in midfield, Darlington launched a rapid counter-attack.

White’s precise through ball tore through Hartlepool United’s defense.

Joachim successfully beat the offside trap and, facing the onrushing Carson, calmly slotted the ball into the far corner.

The ball hit the net!

1-0!

Darlington scored first!

The entire stadium erupted instantly, the home fans’ cheers shaking the heavens.

“Goal! Joachim! The experienced veteran taught these kids what cruelty means!”

Joachim ran excitedly towards the stands, making a provocative celebration.

“Kindergarten! Go home and drink your milk!”

The Darlington fans in the stands collectively chanted insulting slogans.

Someone held up a giant banner: “Welcome to the Adult World!”

Hartlepool United’s players stood in the center circle, their faces pale.

Jones bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes.

This 15-year-old had never experienced such a cruel reality.

Carson strode towards his teammates, his voice remarkably firm amidst the din.

“Heads up! It’s just one goal!”

“There are eighty minutes left; we have enough time to turn this around!”

Smalling also walked over, patting each teammate on the shoulder.

“Forget the mistake just now, focus on the next ball.”

“We didn’t come here to be humiliated, but to prove ourselves.”

Hartlepool, Lin Feng’s office.