Always and Forever

nine

It's an away game. We arrived at the academy stadium and went straight into our away changing room. We got changed, warmed up, came back in, finished getting ready and lined up for the game. As we were lining up in the tunnel, Ellie walked by Leah who was behind me before coming up and hugging me. I hugged her back despite feeling Leah's eyes on me.

"hey"
Ellie said with a soft smile.

"Hey els!"

"good luck"

"Yeah, you too"
I smiled as Ellie walked away. I could feel Leah staring at me but didn't dare look back.

"hey wonder kid!"
Hempo said as she jumped into my arms ecstatically.

"hey hempo! Good luck today. Hey, go easy on us"
I smirked at the fantastic winger.

"no promises Sophie. Why don't you go easy on us! I know what you're capable of, i would prefer if your extraordinary talent came out against any other team but us"

"It's on Hempo!"

"you're going down, kid"

"we'll see, won't we?"

"we will. Enjoy yourself"

"thanks hempo"

******
We walked out and the game began. I'm playing upfront. Viv is on the bench.

"After her two goals last week, Sophie Roberts is preferred over Vivianne Miedema today. What are your thoughts on this?"

"I don't think it's about preference's. I think Roberts was brilliant last week against Aston Villa when she came on but i think Viv is being rested this week. She hasn't had a rest, she was at the olympics and has came back and featured in every game."

"Who do you think will stand out for Arsenal today then and cause City the most problems?"

"I would say, Mead, Roberts and McCabe, simply because of their movement both on and off the ball. They are incredible talents and i can't wait to see Roberts in action today. This is a big day for the young Arsenal fan. This is a big game and she will be eager to impress"

"For City, who do you think will be their key player?"

"Lauren Hemp. I don't think there's any question there. Hemp is extraordinary. I don't think i need to say much else, everyone knows how good she is"

"Caroline Weir as well?"

"Definitely. Weir is such a technically gifted footballer. She's a joy to watch"

The first 15 Minutes, both teams were settling into the game. The game didn't become intense, good to watch or open until a goal happened in the 15th minute of the game.

"Walsh through the middle and Hemp is off. No one is catching her. Ellen white is in the middle, Hemp goes alone. Lauren Hemp- Wow! What a goal. 1-0 Manchester City in the 15th minute because of some splendid work by the one and only Lauren Hemp. What an unbelievable talent she is!"

"It's the 20th minute here at the academy stadium and that goal has really opened up the game. Both teams look ready to win this. Williamson to Nobbs. Nobbs to little, little looks up and sees McCabe making a run down the left, Little to McCabe. McCabe runs down the left and fires it into the box- 1-1 Sophie Roberts. She didn't need to do much. She got a toe to the ball and got it past Roebuck who couldn't do much about it. Roberts, right place right time. What a fantastic move by Arsenal. Little and McCabe, simply brilliant"

"Free kick to Arsenal in a dangerous area. This has Katie McCabe written all over it. It's McCabe- It's extraordinary. 2-1 Arsenal. McCabe brilliant. Superb free kick. That's what Katie McCabe does best. Wow"