The win against Greenford was a brilliant display of strategy. It sent a strong message to the entire league: focusing on Ethan Matthews was a mistake. As Crestwood got ready for their next home game against Marston Vale, a new question lingered. What would the other team do next?
In the changing room, Coach Shaw stood before his unusually empty whiteboard. "Marston Vale's coach has been watching us," he said sharply. "He's not unaware. He saw the Linton game and the Greenford game. He knows that if he marks Ethan tightly, our decoy plays will exploit that." He paused for emphasis. "So today, they will be clever. They will try to beat us with a solid zonal defense. They think they can switch Ethan off between players while maintaining their shape."
He turned to Ethan. "This is your moment. Your decoy runs are now your backup weapon. Your main weapon is, and always has been, your mind and your feet. If they give you even a little space, take advantage of it. Show everyone in this stadium why you are a target in the first place. Make them regret not marking you."
From the first whistle, the game felt like a battle of wits. Marston Vale kept their formation tight. Their midfielders moved as a unit, and whenever Ethan entered a specific area, the closest player would challenge him but not follow.
For the first twenty minutes, it worked. Ethan was held back, his passing options limited. He felt his frustration growing. He was being silenced in a smarter way.
Then, in the 22nd minute, Marston Vale momentarily lost their discipline. Their holding midfielder was just a half-step late to react. Ethan, who had been patiently passing the ball with one-touch passes, found himself in a pocket of space. The midfielder lunged, but it was too late.
Ethan turned.
In that brief moment of freedom, the entire game opened up. He surveyed the field, and the layout spread before him. He spotted Callum making his signature run. Ethan threaded a perfectly weighted pass that slipped past four defenders and reached Callum. Callum took one touch and scored. 1-0.
A furious shout erupted from the Marston Vale dugout. Their coach was yelling at his midfielder, waving his arms in frustration. Their plan was falling apart.
For the rest of the first half, Marston Vale found themselves in a tough spot. Their midfielder clung to Ethan like glue, afraid to give him another chance. He had become, against all instructions, a man marker.
And just like that, Crestwood returned to the Greenford strategy.
In the 40th minute, Ethan made a quick decoy sprint to the left, pulling his new shadow along. The center of the pitch opened up wide. Mason charged into the space, received a pass from Jake, and moved forward. He sent a perfect ball to the winger. 2-0.
When the halftime whistle blew, the Marston Vale players walked off feeling confused and defeated. They were in a no-win situation.
The second half was straightforward. Crestwood completely controlled the game, their confidence growing. They were like two teams in one, seamlessly adjusting their attack based on how the opponent chose to defend against their number ten.
Ethan, now playing with a relaxed confidence, added a third assist, cleverly flicking the ball to Callum for his second goal. The final score of 3-0 marked their best performance of the season.
As they left the pitch to the applause of the home crowd, Callum put his arm around Ethan's shoulders. "I almost feel sorry for them," he grinned. "What are they supposed to do? You're an impossible puzzle, mate."
Ethan just smiled, his thoughts already on the next match. They were not just the team to beat anymore; they were the team that couldn't be figured out.