94: Disregard for hometown parks

Home Park Stadium.

The light rain in August, like a thin veil, enveloped this not-so-grand stadium.

Large sections of the stands were empty, and the sparse cheers from the fans were absorbed by the damp air, sounding weak and listless.

Compared to the roaring white volcano that was Elland Road, this place felt more like a community weekend party.

The air was filled with the unique sense of ease and disdain that Championship teams often felt when facing lower-League opponents.

In the local radio station's live broadcast room, the commentator began today's broadcast in a tone that was almost conversational.

“Welcome to the first round of the Carling Cup, where our ‘Pilgrims’ Plymouth are hosting Hartlepool United.”

“Yes, that’s the team that surprisingly defeated Leeds United in the first League round, but the Cup is a completely different story.”

“Plymouth has made some rotations today, but their strength is still firmly above their opponents.”

“Let’s take a look at the starting lineups for both teams.”

“For the home team, Plymouth, in a classic 4-4-2 formation, the goalkeeper is the experienced Luke McCormick.”

“In defense, veteran Marcel Seip anchors the backline; his experience will be a nightmare for the young Hartlepool forwards.”

“The midfield is organized by Hungarian international Akos Buzsaky, while up front, the attack features the speed and impact of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, partnered with target man Barry Hayles.”

“Now, looking at the away team, Hartlepool United, their head coach Old John has also made significant rotations, and their formation is also a 4-4-2.”

“The goalkeeper is number 24, Scott Carson, the young player on loan from Liverpool, who will be making his debut today.”

“The defense is practically a youth storm, from right to left: number 15 Danny Simpson, number 23 Chris Smalling, number 25 Peter Hartley, and number 22 Hugh Robertson.”

“This is a combination with almost no top-level match experience.”

“The four midfielders are number 7 Liam Bridcutt, number 18 Mark Tinkler, number 19 Tom Ince, and number 21 Anthony Sweeney.”

“Up front, Jamie Vardy, who scored in the last match, continues to start, and his partner has been replaced by another new signing, Shaun Maloney.”

The whistle for the start of the match sounded.

As expected, Plymouth’s players pressed forward in large numbers.

They tried to overwhelm the young away team right from the start with the faster tempo and stronger physical play characteristic of the Championship.

The ball was constantly whipped in from the flanks, simply and crudely lofted into Hartlepool’s penalty area.

The young central defensive pairing, Chris Smalling and Peter Hartley, faced a hellish test in their first official match together.

Plymouth’s target man, Barry Hayles, charged at them like a rampaging bull, constantly using his body to challenge them.

But Smalling displayed positional awareness beyond his years, while Hartley, with repeated fearless jumps, fiercely headed the opponent's aerial balls out of the penalty area.

The loaned goalkeeper, Scott Carson, was exceptionally active.

He made several decisive charges, calmly collecting the ball before the opposing forwards could reach it, and even once rushed out of the penalty area, clearing a dangerous situation with a clean, powerful kick.

The confidence from the Liverpool youth academy was fully evident in him.

In Hartlepool’s office, Lin Feng calmly watched the live broadcast on the screen.

In his mind, on the azure interface that only he could see, the [Opponent Analysis] module was operating at high speed.

The light points representing Plymouth’s players showed their overall formation pressing very high.

Their defensive line and midfield line were already disconnected, and the huge green turf behind them was highlighted in a dazzling red by the system.

That was a deadly vacuum zone, waiting to be pierced by lightning.

Lin Feng picked up his encrypted phone and sent an instruction to Old John on the sidelines.

“The time is almost right.”

“Tell Vardy to prepare to activate ‘Lightning’.”

In front of the dugout at Home Park Stadium, Old John’s phone in his pocket vibrated imperceptibly.

He glanced at the message, then casually put the phone back in his pocket, crossed his arms, and calmly watched the passive situation on the field.

His unruffled face, in the eyes of the opposing Plymouth coach, was interpreted as a helpless resignation.

The match reached the 35th minute.

Plymouth earned a corner kick.

The ball, with strong spin, flew into the penalty area, and players from both sides crowded together on the six-yard line.

In the chaos, Scott Carson leaped high, like an unshakeable deity, firmly clutching the ball to his chest at the highest point.

Crisis averted.

The moment all the Plymouth players turned to run back, Carson didn’t hesitate for a second.

He didn't even put the ball on the ground; instead, with a powerful overarm throw like a football quarterback, he launched the ball like a cannonball directly towards Mark Tinkler near the center circle.

At the exact same moment Tinkler raised his foot to receive the ball,

Jamie Vardy, like an arrow already nocked and waiting for command, suddenly burst forward from his own half.

Tinkler didn’t stop the ball; instead, he sent out an incredibly precise over-the-top long pass with the momentum of his foot.

The ball sailed over Plymouth’s entire midfield line, which had already pushed past the halfway mark, and with a perfect arc, headed directly behind their two central defenders.

Vardy’s speed was pushed to its limit at this moment.

Plymouth’s two central defenders, turning sharply in horror, only saw a blue and white number 9 disappearing further and further away from them.

To chase now, only despair remained.

One-on-one.

Jamie Vardy, carrying the ball, like a black lightning bolt, charged towards the isolated goal in the empty half of the field.