Reborn in Football to Build Top Clubs from English League Two

207: The coronation of the new king and the departure of the knightsVictoria Park was covered in a blanket of silver, with snowflakes falling like feathers onto the pitch. Fans in the stands stomped their feet, their breath dissipating into the cold wind. This North East Derby carried a significance far beyond the match itself.

Inside the locker room, Lin Feng faced the eager players. Owen, Viduka, Duff—these names shone brightly in the Premier League, but today, they were merely opponents.

“Newcastle thinks they’re the big brother of North East football,” Lin Feng’s voice echoed in the silence. “Today, let’s show them who truly owns this land.”

In the player’s tunnel, the two teams’ players brushed past each other. Owen scrutinized Vardy’s young face, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. Viduka shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

Sophie was organizing her equipment in the media section, the diamond ring on her left ring finger sparkling under the lights. The cameraman’s lens inadvertently captured this scene, and the director immediately switched the feed.

“It looks like Hartlepool’s beautiful reporter has some good news to share,” Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler quipped. “I wonder if this will affect her objective reporting.”

Lin Feng sat in the box, his phone screen displaying a text message from Keira. He didn’t reply, simply placing his phone face down on the table, focusing intently on the pitch.

The whistle blew, and snowflakes danced in the lights. Newcastle launched the first attack, with Viduka orchestrating from the middle, trying to control the tempo using his height advantage.

In the twelfth minute, Duff broke through Walker on the left wing, crossing to Owen at the far post. The England striker deftly flicked it in, and the ball found the back of the net. The away fans erupted in thunderous cheers, black and white scarves waving in the air.

“That’s experience!” The Newcastle manager shouted from the sidelines, pumping his fist. “Let these kids see what Premier League quality looks like!”

Old John frowned, turning to look at the box. Lin Feng’s expression remained calm; he tapped the table lightly, considering counter-strategies.

The halftime whistle blew, and the players trudged heavily towards the tunnel. The atmosphere in the locker room was somewhat subdued; the reality of being behind left the young players feeling frustrated.

“Listen.” Lin Feng pushed open the door, and all eyes immediately focused on him. “Their center-backs are all big guys, slow to turn, and a bit clumsy on the ball. Snodgrass, Walker, in the second half, cross the ball more from the wings.”

He walked to the tactics board and drew a few simple lines. “Vardy, run more, stretch their defense. Maloney is getting ready to come on; give them a different kind of impact.”

The second half restarted, and Hartlepool’s tactical adjustments immediately paid off. Snodgrass frequently got on the ball, his left-footed crosses precise and powerful. Walker on the right wing also began to show his speed advantage, delivering several crosses from the byline.

In the sixtieth minute, De Bruyne distributed the ball in the middle. Snodgrass received it and, without hesitation, directly delivered a cross. The ball arced perfectly, and the Newcastle defender misjudged it.

Vardy leaped high amidst the crowd, heading the ball powerfully. Goalkeeper Harper couldn’t save it, and the ball flew into the net. Victoria Park instantly erupted.

“Oh my goodness! Vardy’s header!” The commentator yelled, his voice hoarse. “This short striker actually beat Newcastle’s tall defenders in the air!”

The equalizer ignited the home team’s morale. Henderson in midfield tackled like a mad dog, putting his all into every challenge. Coutinho began to display his Brazilian technique on the wing, his continuous dribbling giving the opponents a headache.

In the eighty-fifth minute, Old John made a crucial substitution. Maloney replaced the slightly fatigued De Bruyne, and the Scot’s entrance injected fresh blood into the team.

Time ticked by, minute by minute, with both sides searching for a decisive blow. In the eighty-eighth minute, the opportunity arrived.

Henderson intercepted the ball in the middle and quickly passed it to Coutinho on the wing. The young Brazilian consecutively dribbled past two defenders, then, after entering the box, laid it off across the middle.