22: Fox City first half

The moment the whistle blew, a cold wind swept from the North Sea across Victoria Park.

The pitch was damp, and the night lights illuminated the stadium as if it were daytime, with the shouts of nearly ten thousand fans surging towards the center of the field in waves.

Leicester City's players stepped forward, their movements as practiced as if they were strolling in their own backyard.

There was no tension on their faces; instead, they carried an air of detached superiority. This psychological advantage, deeply ingrained in every player, came from a Championship team facing a League Two team.

Just three minutes into the game, Leicester City showcased their strength.

Midfielder Matt Oakley's precise long pass directly tore through Hartlepool United's midfield defense. Forward Gary Taylor-Fletcher chested the ball down, turned, and shot, the ball flying just wide of the post.

Schmeichel took a deep breath in front of the goal line.

His gloves were clenched into fists, feeling the genes flowing in his father's bloodline boiling in his veins.

"Come on," he muttered, his eyes sharp enough to cut through the night sky.

Leicester City's possession rate reached seventy percent within the first ten minutes of the game.

Their passing routes were clear and fluid, every pass executed with Championship-level precision. Danny Tuff orchestrated the midfield with ease, every touch of the ball tightening Hartlepool United's defense.

Vardy ran desperately in the attacking third.

His legs were already aching, but the wildness in his eyes remained undiminished. Every tackle was made with full effort, every forward run with a reckless abandon.

He knew this was his chance to prove himself.

Robert Snodgrass frequently dropped back on the right wing to receive the ball.

Sweat beaded on the Scotsman's face; he could feel the veteran experience of opposing left-back Gareth Savage. Every breakthrough was anticipated, every cross precisely intercepted.

This was the difference in class.

In the 15th minute, Leicester City earned a corner kick.

Matthew Oakley took it, and the ball arced perfectly through the air. The penalty area was packed, and Hartlepool United's defense instantly tensed to its limit.

Paddy McCarthy leapt high, heading the ball!

Schmeichel dove to the side, and the moment his fingertips touched the ball, time at Victoria Park seemed to stand still.

The ball grazed the crossbar and flew out of bounds.

"Beautiful!" The fans in the stands erupted in thunderous applause.

Schmeichel climbed up from the grass, brushing bits of turf from his gloves. His eyes were as calm as water, as if the save had merely been a warm-up.

But the danger was far from over.

In the 18th minute, the fatal blow finally arrived.

Matt Oakley took the ball in midfield, and a delicate chip pass sailed over Gary Liddle's defense. Ian Hume beat the offside trap, and facing the onrushing Schmeichel, calmly slotted the ball into the far corner.

The ball rolled into the net.

0-1!

Leicester City took the lead!

Victoria Park fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear heartbeats.

The away stands erupted in jubilant cheers, and Leicester City's players embraced in celebration, their faces showing the expected ease.

"Ian Hume! He breaks the deadlock for Leicester City!" Martin Tyler's voice echoed through every corner of the stadium via the broadcast.

"This is the difference in experience and strength," Andy Gray's commentary was professionally calm. "Leicester City's attacking play was superb, from the midfield organization to the final shot, it was textbook. Hartlepool United's youngsters still look a bit nervous."

Lin Feng remained motionless in the executive box.

His eyes were still calm, as if everything happening on the field was within his expectations. His fingers gently tapped the armrest, the rhythm as steady as a melody only he could hear.

The [Tactical Analysis Module] flickered with cold data streams in his mind. Leicester City's attacking patterns had been completely analyzed, and their weaknesses were slowly being exposed.

"What's the rush?" he murmured, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

The situation on the field remained firmly controlled by Leicester City.

Having taken the lead, they appeared even more composed, and their pass completion rate further improved. Hartlepool United's players began to show some impatience, and a few misplaced passes drew dissatisfied boos from the home fans.

But the talents of the 'monsters' were gradually awakening.

In the 25th minute, Danny Simpson made an excellent defensive play on the right wing.

Facing Mark Yates's breakthrough, the Manchester United academy full-back displayed composure beyond his years. He didn't rush into a tackle but patiently retreated, waiting for his opponent to make a mistake.

When Yates attempted to cut inside, Simpson decisively lunged, a perfect slide tackle dispossessing him.

He immediately got up and sent a long pass directly to Vardy in the attacking third.

Vardy chested the ball down, turned, and unleashed a powerful shot. The ball was parried out for a corner by goalkeeper Paul Henderson, but the ferocity of the strike had already put pressure on Leicester City's defense.

"Hartlepool United are starting to fight back!" Martin Tyler's voice was once again full of energy. "Vardy's shot was very threatening, and Simpson's pass was beautiful!"

In the 30th minute, danger struck again.

Leicester City's quick counter-attack tore through Hartlepool United's defense. Gary Taylor-Fletcher was one-on-one with Schmeichel in the box!

This was a crucial moment that could determine the course of the match.

Schmeichel didn't hesitate; he charged out decisively.

His tall frame fully extended in the air, arms stretched to their limit. Taylor-Fletcher's shot was completely blocked by his body, the ball deflecting off his chest and out of the penalty area.

Victoria Park erupted in thunderous applause.

"Schmeichel! A crucial save at a crucial moment!" Andy Gray's voice was filled with admiration. "The timing of that save and the body extension were perfect, truly worthy of Peter Schmeichel's son!"

This save completely ignited Hartlepool United's fighting spirit.

Vardy's runs in the attacking third became more aggressive, every tackle carrying the ferocity of a desperate man. Snodgrass began to make frequent forward runs on the right wing, his speed and skill starting to cause problems for Leicester City's left-back.

In the 35th minute, Hartlepool United earned a free kick in the attacking third.

Mark Tinkler stood over the ball, taking a deep breath. This position was about 25 meters from the goal, slightly to the right, but for an experienced midfielder, it was still within shooting range.

Run-up, shoot!

The ball whistled towards the goal like a cannonball, heading directly for the top far corner. Paul Henderson made a diving save, and the moment his fingertips touched the ball, it slightly deflected, hitting the crossbar and bouncing out.

"Oh! Almost a world-class goal!" Martin Tyler's voice carried a hint of regret.

The rhythm of the game began to subtly shift.

Leicester City still controlled the initiative, but Hartlepool United's counter-attacks were becoming sharper. The talents of the 'monsters' were gradually emerging under pressure, every touch of the ball carrying a unique flair.

In the 40th minute, the opportunity finally arrived.

Simpson received a pass back from Snodgrass on the right wing. Facing the pressing Yates, the Manchester United academy full-back displayed composure beyond his years.

He didn't opt for a simple pass back; instead, he suddenly accelerated, charging down the sideline at high speed.

Speed, explosiveness, and that precise grasp of timing—this was the foundation of a top academy product.

Reaching the byline, Simpson looked up to assess the situation in the penalty area.

Vardy was engaged in a physical battle with center-back Paddy McCarthy, slightly behind him. But his eyes gleamed with a beast-like intensity, an extreme hunger for a goal.

Simpson didn't hesitate, sending a precise cross with the inside of his right foot.

The ball arced perfectly through the air, bypassing the goalkeeper's outstretched hands, flying accurately towards the center of the penalty area.

Vardy exploded at that moment.

He leapt high with all his might, and under Paddy McCarthy's tight marking, headed the ball towards goal!

The ball hit the back of the net!

1-1!

Vardy equalized!

Victoria Park instantly erupted.

Thirty thousand fans roared in unison, the sound sweeping through the entire stadium like a tsunami. Vardy ran towards the stands, arms outstretched, roaring to the sky.

That raw, primal passion from within infected everyone present.

"Vardy! Jamie Vardy!" Martin Tyler's voice had become hoarse. "He's proven himself again! Simpson's cross was also beautiful! Hartlepool United have equalized!"

"The timing and power of that header were just right," Andy Gray added. "Vardy's instinct in the box is truly gifted! And Simpson's cross showed the quality of a Manchester United academy player!"

Leicester City's players looked somewhat surprised.

They hadn't expected these League Two youngsters to equalize so quickly. Ian Hume shook his head, the relaxed expression on his face now gone.

Lin Feng nodded slightly in the executive box.

Everything was proceeding according to his predictions. Leicester City's mindset was beginning to subtly change, from their initial confidence to a current slight impatience.

The [Tactical Analysis Module] showed that there were indeed issues with the opponent's midfield hardness, and the full-backs' recovery speed after attacking was noticeably insufficient.

These weaknesses would be further amplified in the second half.

In the 44th minute, Leicester City attempted to regain the lead before halftime.

Matthew Oakley took the ball in midfield, and a through ball attempted to find Taylor-Fletcher in the attacking third. But this time, Gary Liddle anticipated the pass route, decisively intercepting the ball.

Hartlepool United immediately launched a counter-attack.

Snodgrass received the ball on the right wing, and facing the recovering Savage, the Scottish winger showcased his individual ability. After two consecutive feints, Snodgrass successfully evaded the defense and burst into the penalty area.

Facing the onrushing goalkeeper, Snodgrass opted for a low shot.

The ball was blocked by Henderson's legs, but it had already sent a chill down Leicester City's defense.

"Hartlepool United's attack is getting more and more fierce!" Martin Tyler's voice was filled with excitement. "Snodgrass's breakthrough was beautiful, almost completing the comeback!"

The referee checked his watch and raised his right hand, signaling two minutes of added time.

The first half was coming to an end, and the struggle between the two sides became even more intense. Every challenge sparked fireworks, every pass determining the gain or loss of psychological advantage.

In the 46th minute, the final minute of added time.

Hartlepool United earned a throw-in in the attacking third. Ben Clark stood by the sideline, taking a deep breath.

This was the last chance of the first half.

A long throw-in went directly to Vardy in the penalty area. The EFL Trophy hero chested the ball down, turned, and shot, the ball flying just over the crossbar.

The referee's whistle blew.

Halftime, Hartlepool United 1-1 Leicester City.

The players walked towards the dressing room tunnel, Vardy leading the way, a confident smile on his face. His goal not only equalized the score but, more importantly, proved that these youngsters had the ability to compete with higher-level teams.

Schmeichel and Simpson walked side by side, both satisfied with their performance in the first half. Crucial saves and precise assists proved that their decision to come to Hartlepool United was the right one.

Inside Leicester City's dressing room, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

They had initially thought it would be an easy match, but reality had slapped them hard. The fighting spirit displayed by these League Two youngsters far exceeded their expectations.

Head coach Rob Kelly's face was so grim it could drip water.

"This is not how we should be performing," he told the players, his voice clearly displeased. "They are just a bunch of League Two kids; we must show our true strength in the second half."

Meanwhile, Old John hurried towards Lin Feng's executive box.

His face was filled with excitement and emotion, his eyes gleaming with an almost worshipful light. The moment he pushed open the door, he even forgot the basic courtesy of knocking.

"Boss!" Old John's voice cracked slightly with excitement. "It's incredible! Schmeichel's save, Simpson's assist, and Vardy's goal! They are simply born for this stage!"

Lin Feng remained seated in his comfortable chair, his expression as calm as water.

He gently turned his head to look at the old coach, who was now completely captivated. In Old John's eyes, he saw a nearly blind trust and reverence.

"What about the second half?" Old John asked eagerly, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "Leicester City will definitely intensify their attack; do we need to make adjustments?"

Lin Feng's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.

"No need," his voice was still calm, but carried an unquestionable confidence. "Let them attack. The more impatient they are, the bigger their flaws will be."

He paused, his gaze drifting towards the floodlit stadium outside the window.

"The real game has just begun."