148: Heavy artillery and overwhelming victory

The whistle for the second half pierced the air of Victoria Park.

The players filed out of the changing room tunnel.

Vardy's face, devoid of the first half's frustration, was replaced by an almost hungry focus.

Lin Feng's words echoed in his mind—ninety minutes of dominance.

He took a shot, the focus of all eyes, the fate of the entire stadium resting on the trajectory of this one ball.

Walker no longer frequently crossed the ball from the wing, but instead passed it back to the center more often.

Henderson and Sigurdsson began to frequently demand the ball at the edge of the penalty area.

This tactical adjustment caught Gillingham's players off guard.

Their 'iron barrel' defense was designed to counter wing crosses, and they were unprepared for the threat of long-range shots from the center.

In the 52nd minute, the opportunity arrived.

Henderson received a pass from Tinkler outside the penalty area.

He didn't rush to pass, but instead deftly flicked the ball with his left foot, faking out the opposing midfielder who was pressing him.

Immediately after, he lifted his right foot.

The moment the ball left the turf, the air in the entire stadium solidified.

The powerful shot, with strong spin, flew straight towards the top-left corner of the goal.

Goalkeeper Simon Royce dove to save, his fingertips touching the ball, but not with enough force to change its trajectory.

The ball grazed the post and went out for a goal kick.

A sigh of regret erupted from the stands, which then transformed into even more enthusiastic applause.

"Almost!"

"Keep going! That's how to play!"

The fans' shouts were filled with excitement.

They felt the change, felt the impending explosion of energy from the home team.

This shot was like a signal.

Hartlepool United's "artillery unit" began to fire in turns.

Sigurdsson no longer hesitated after receiving the ball.

Maloney's pass and Henderson's positioning created the perfect shooting space for him.

In the 59th minute, the Icelander took the ball thirty meters from the goal.

He took almost no run-up, unleashing a powerful shot directly with his right foot!

The ball whistled, with almost no dip, flying straight towards the top-left corner of the goal.

Royce didn't even react this time.

The ball precisely nestled into the top-left corner, and the net shook violently.

1:0! The dead silence was broken, and the entire stadium transformed from anxious quiet to a sea of ecstasy.

Nearly ten thousand fans stood up simultaneously, their shouts soaring to the sky.

Sigurdsson rushed towards the corner flag, his arms raised high, his face beaming with pure joy.

His teammates swarmed him, engulfing him in a blue and white ocean.

"World-class goal! Absolutely world-class!"

Commentator Martin Tyler's voice was trembling slightly.

"Gylfi Sigurðsson, with an unstoppable long-range shot, has opened the door to victory for Hartlepool United!"

This goal completely shattered Gillingham's psychological defense.

After conceding, Gillingham's formation was forced to push forward, and their defensive system, which they relied on for survival, was broken by themselves.

In the VIP box, Lin Feng slowly stood up.

He didn't cheer like the others, but instead took out his phone and quickly edited a text message to Old John.

"All-out attack. The final assault."

Old John, on the sidelines, received the message and immediately gestured to the field.

Hartlepool United's players understood, and their formation quickly pushed forward.

Even center-back Shawcross pushed past the halfway line, joining the attack.

Gillingham's players were completely disorganized.

They were already exhausted, and now they had to face the opponent's furious counterattack.

In the 67th minute, the fatal blow arrived.

Maloney, after receiving the ball on the left, chose not to cross, but instead made a sudden through ball.

The ball passed through the opponent's already loose defense, accurately finding Vardy, who was sprinting forward at high speed.

In just one step, Vardy slipped past the defender, cleanly completing the overtake.

Royce chose to charge out, attempting to narrow the shooting angle.

But Vardy was too calm.

He deftly flicked the ball, dribbling past the goalkeeper, and then sent the ball into the empty net.

2:0! Victoria Park erupted again.

Vardy rushed towards the stands, taking off his jersey and raising it above his head, revealing his toned upper body.

The fans wildly waved scarves and flags, and the entire stadium vibrated.

The suspense of the match was completely over.

But Hartlepool United was not satisfied with a two-goal lead.

Lin Feng demanded dominance, absolute dominance.

In the 75th minute, a corner kick opportunity.

Sigurdsson stood at the corner flag, his eyes scanning his teammates in the penalty area.

He lofted the ball high towards the far post, the ball drawing a perfect arc in the air.

Substitute Smalling leaped high, overpowering the opposing defender, and powerfully headed the ball towards the goal.

Royce made a save this time, but the ball's power was too great, slipping from his hands and rolling into the goal.

3:0! The fans in the stands had already begun to celebrate wildly.

They sang the team song, their voices echoing throughout the small town.

"Hartlepool, our pride! Hartlepool, never give up!"

In the 88th minute, Vardy once again proved himself.

Tinkler's long pass found Walker on the right wing.

Walker crossed from the byline, and Henderson's follow-up shot was parried by the goalkeeper.

But the ball landed right at Vardy's feet.

Facing an open goal, he didn't hesitate, pushing the ball into the net.

4:0! Vardy, who scored a brace, sprinted towards the stands, celebrating with the frenzied fans.

The final score was 4:0.

This was a massacre.

Hartlepool United, with four goals, declared their absolute dominance over the match.

They achieved nine consecutive League victories!

When the referee's final whistle blew, most of Gillingham's players were already exhausted and sitting on the turf.

Meanwhile, Hartlepool United's players were still celebrating and interacting with the fans.

At the press conference, Gillingham's head coach looked ashen.

The reporters' questions made him even more uncomfortable.

"What are your thoughts on today's match?"

He shook his head bitterly: "We tried our best, but they..."

After a few seconds of pause, he continued: "They don't belong in this League."

This statement quickly spread throughout English football.

It was rare in League history for a League One head coach to admit that an opponent "doesn't belong in this League."

And while Hartlepool United's celebrations were not yet over, Lin Feng's phone rang.

Caller ID: David Watson.

The FA examiner's voice was full of excitement.

"Lin, UEFA is very interested in your materials."

Watson's words made Lin Feng stop in his tracks.

"They've arranged your first B-level course, with the main lecturer being Gérard Houllier."

Former Liverpool manager.

Houllier? Lin Feng's eyebrows subtly twitched; this name added an interesting variable to his already clear plan.

"When?"

"Next Monday, St George's Park.

Lin, this is a rare opportunity.

Mr. Houllier rarely teaches in person."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Feng stood by the office's floor-to-ceiling window, watching the celebrating players.

Nine consecutive victories were just the beginning.

His gaze swept past the jubilant crowd, looking towards a more distant future.

St George's Park, Gérard Houllier... This game has just begun.