On the Spot by Cindy Jefferies

1. Keeper Crisis
    Tom Larsson was playing an absolute blinder in goal. He’d made several majestic saves, and it was beginning to seem like he was unbeatable.
    It was a chilly winter’s morning, and the students were halfway through their training session at top football academy, Stadium School. Mr Jenkins, the junior coach, had split them up to play some practice matches.
    â€œI hope you’re not all too full of Christmas pudding,” he’d joked at the start of the session. “We’ve got an 11-week term ahead of us, including a match against Leeds Academy in week six, so you’ll need to be in peak condition. But today we’re going toease you back into the swing of things with a game. Do you all remember the squad I picked at the end of last term?”
    Of course everyone could remember. Either from the excitement of getting in, or the disappointment of missing out.
    â€œThe first-team defence will play against the first-team attack,” Mr Jenkins had explained. “With the rest of the squad filling in the other positions. That way the teams will be fair, and the main units of the first team can practise playing alongside each other. First-team defence will be in bibs, attack in shirts. If that doesn’t include you, make your way over to Mrs Powell, who’ll be supervising the other match.”
    It was a great idea, but Roddy Jones and the rest of the shirts were having a very frustrating morning as they tried to break down the bibs’ defence. As always when heplayed a game of football, Roddy’s internal commentary was keeping track of the unfolding events.
    And it’s yet another top-drawer save from Larsson! He’s really keeping the bibs in the game today. He throws the ball out to a full-back, but almost immediately possession goes to the shirts and Larsson’s goal is under threat again.
    Jones moves the ball out to Keira Sanders, who takes it round her marker then knocks it to Bullard on the edge of the box. It’s a rasping shot from Bullard, but Larsson somehow gets his fingertips to it and pushes it onto the post. Geno Perotti is lurking for the rebound, and pokes the ball coolly past the keeper, who has no chance to recover. Jimmy Piper, in the bibs’ defence, throws himself at the ball, but his last-ditch defending is too late. The ball trickles over the line.
    â€œYeah! We did it! Goal!” Geno stabbed the air in triumph, but Roddy grabbed his sleeve.
    â€œTom Larsson’s down!” he said. “It looks like he’s injured.”
    Geno turned back towards the goal. Tom Larsson was hunched over, cradling his right hand; he appeared to be in agony. Mr Jenkins was already on the scene and all the players were gathering round.
    â€œIs he all right?” said Geno, anxiously.
    â€œWhat happened?” asked Keira.
    â€œIt must have been that last save,” said Jimmy. “His fingers bent right back when he got his hand to it.”
    Keira winced.
    â€œSounds bad,” said Roddy. “Tom doesn’t normally make a fuss when he’s hurt.”
    Mr Jenkins waved them all back, and had a few words with Tom. Then he helped thewhite-faced goalie slowly to his feet. He radioed to the physio room and it wasn’t long before Mrs Anstruther, the school nurse, arrived. She took off Tom’s goalie glove carefully and had a quick look at his fingers, but it was obvious that his part in the game was over. Mrs Anstruther spoke briefly to Mr Jenkins, before leading Tom off the pitch.
    As soon as Tom and the nurse had left, Mr Jenkins spoke to the rest of the players. “It’s likely Tom has a broken finger,” he said, “and he won’t be match fit for a while. Ashanti, can you run over to the other game and tell Mrs Powell we need Marcel Temperley, please. Unfortunately, injuries do happen sometimes. Now, let’s get this game going again.”
    Everyone went back to their positions for the