143: Derby's heritage

Inside the away team's locker room, fifteen young players sat in a circle.

The clock on the wall showed 10:15, with ten minutes remaining until the start of the second half.

Old John pushed the door open and walked in, holding a piece of paper.

“The boss just sent a message,”

His voice echoed in the small space.

“He said you played like men in the first half.”

Jones looked up, traces of tears still in his eyes.

“In the second half, go play like champions!”

Bridcutt stood up and walked to the tactics board.

“Listen, lads.”

He drew an arrow on the tactics board.

“They’re rattled.”

“Joachim is constantly complaining to the referee on the field.”

“Their center-back Forster has already received a yellow card.”

“What does this mean?”

Smith picked up the conversation.

“It means they’re scared.”

“A bunch of adults, pushed into a corner by us ‘kids’.”

Smalling checked the straps of his shin guards.

“We need to be more patient in the second half.”

“Pass quickly, run smartly.”

“Don’t give them a chance for close-quarters combat.”

Carson clapped his gloves and walked among his teammates.

“Forget the boos from the stands.”

“Forget their provocations.”

“Remember one thing — we are here to win.”

Hartlepool, Lin Feng’s office.

The [System Interface] displayed real-time data on a translucent screen.

[Player Status Monitoring — Second Half Prediction]

[Jones: Confidence restored to 78%, status significantly improved after scoring]

[Bridcutt: Pass accuracy stable at 87%, rhythm control improved]

[Smalling: Defensive focus 92%, leadership qualities emerging]

[Team Morale: Stable zone, with room for further improvement]

Lin Feng took a sip of black tea and opened his communication device.

“John, tell the kids something.”

“What is it, Boss?”

“Darlington’s physical data shows a significant drop after seventy minutes.”

“Tell the players to remain patient, the opportunity will come later.”

“Understood.”

The second half began.

Darlington kicked off first, but their passing was noticeably more hurried than in the first half.

Joachim received the ball in the center circle and immediately looked for an opportunity for a through ball.

But Hartlepool United’s defense was positioned extremely tightly, giving the opponent no space.

In the 48th minute, Hartlepool United began to show a different game rhythm.

Bridcutt took the ball in midfield, not rushing to pass it forward.

He stopped the ball with his left foot, then pushed a pass with his right, finding Smith on the wing.

Smith, after receiving the ball, also didn’t rush to break through, but instead played it back to Hartley, who was making a late run.

This patient passing and control began to make Darlington’s players anxious.

“Pass! Pass quickly!”

Joachim shouted loudly in the attacking third, urging his teammates to speed up the tempo.

But Hartlepool United remained unmoved, still patiently passing the ball around in their own half, wearing down their opponent’s spirit.

In the 52nd minute, Darlington’s impatience began to show negative consequences.

Midfielder White made an overly aggressive tackle while pressing, kicking Jones’s ankle.

The referee unhesitatingly pulled out a yellow card.

This was Darlington’s second yellow card of the second half.

“The referee is clearly biased towards the away team!”

The home fans in the stands began to put pressure on the referee.

But the experienced head referee was unaffected.

In the 58th minute, a crucial moment arrived.

Darlington made a fatal passing error in their own half.

Center-back Forster’s back pass lacked sufficient power and was intercepted by the actively pressing Smith.

Smith immediately launched a counter-attack.

He dribbled at high speed along the sideline, and Darlington’s defense instantly fell into disarray.

“Get back! Get back quickly!”

Darlington’s coach waved his arms frantically on the sideline.

But it was too late.

Smith suddenly stopped at the edge of the penalty area, not choosing to shoot directly.

He looked up to assess the situation inside the box.

Jones was entangled with the opposing center-back, and his position was not ideal.

But on the right side of the penalty area, substitute Baker was making a high-speed run.

Smith decisively chose to make a horizontal pass.

The ball rolled quickly across the grass towards the right side of the penalty area.

Baker completed the sequence almost instinctively: pass, control, shoot, all in one fluid motion.

Facing the onrushing goalkeeper Pressman, the 19-year-old winger remained exceptionally calm.

He opted for a low shot, and the ball nestled into the bottom left corner of the goal.

2-1!

Hartlepool United had taken the lead!

Baker celebrated by running towards the away fans, arms raised high.

His teammates rushed over, surrounding him.

“Goal! Baker! Hartlepool United’s youngsters have once again stunned everyone!”

The Sky Sports commentator’s voice trembled.

“Who would have thought? Hartlepool’s reserve team, considered minnows before the match, are now leading! Darlington’s defense has completely collapsed under the assault of these kids!”

The Hartlepool fans in the away stands were already in a frenzy.

They held up their scarves, singing in unison.

“We can beat you with our reserve team!”

“This is the Hartlepool spirit!”

Darlington’s players stood in the center circle, their faces ashen.

Joachim angrily kicked the turf.

“Damn brats!”

The home fans in the stands began to turn on their own team.

The boos were no longer directed at the away team, but at their own players.

“Are you even men?”

“To be played off the park by a bunch of kids!”

Darlington’s head coach on the sideline was red-faced.

He protested to the fourth official about the referee’s lenient calls.

But this did not change the situation on the field.

In the 65th minute, Hartlepool United once again demonstrated what possession-based football was all about.

Bridcutt received the ball in the center circle, facing a double-team from two defenders.

He did not panic, but instead shielded the ball with his body, waiting for his teammates to make runs.

On the left wing, Hartley began to push forward.

On the right wing, Smith was also looking for space.

Bridcutt suddenly looked up and delivered an incredibly imaginative over-the-top long pass.

The ball traced a perfect arc, soaring over Darlington’s entire defensive line.

Ince had beaten the offside trap!

Darlington’s defenders instinctively pushed forward a step to try and create an offside, but Ince seemed to have anticipated it, holding back half a step. This slight difference created a one-on-one opportunity for him.

He timed his run perfectly, just on the offside line.

Facing the onrushing goalkeeper, Ince did not choose to shoot with power.

He deftly chipped the ball, sending it over the goalkeeper’s head.

The ball arced gracefully through the air, slowly dropping into the net.

3-1!

Hartlepool United had sealed the victory!

Ince spread his arms wide, sprinting across the field.

A pure smile radiated from his face.

This was his first official goal in his professional career.

His teammates swarmed him, lifting the 18-year-old youngster high into the air.

“Unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable!”

The commentator was incoherent with excitement.

“These kids from Hartlepool United have created a miracle!”

“They are leading Darlington 3-1 away from home!”

The away stands erupted completely.

Fans embraced each other, tears of joy in their eyes.

This was not just a derby victory.

This was a victory about legacy.

This was a victory about the future.

Darlington’s players completely collapsed.

They began to blame each other, and their formation on the field completely disintegrated.