The atmosphere was filled with excitement as the fans were really happy to see their team keep their first clean sheet of the season.
In every match they had played this season, they had conceded one, two, or more goals but finally but they have prevented Lave City from scoring against them throughout the ninety minutes plus added time of the match
"It's not just about Unique FC keeping their first clean sheet of the season, this is also Dave Richard's first ever clean sheet as a goalkeeper, he's finally gotten his first career clean sheet, he must be overjoyed," Steve said.
"Who wouldn't be?" Jim said. "Alright, that marks the end of our broadcast tonight, we'll now join the fans as they make their way home and we'll see you next time, thank you."
Dave had been given the man of the match award as deserved and now it was time for his post-match interview as Emma had just finished talking to Kim who was heading down the tunnel.
"So." She heard Matthew's voice behind her as soon as Kim had left and slowly turned to face him. "You're going to interview your boyfriend."
"Yeah," She said with a smile. "I don't know why but I feel a little nervous about it."
"Do you want me to do it?" He asked, reaching for the mic in her hand.
"No." She said quickly, pulling her hand back. "I think I know why I'm feeling nervous." She said, turning her gaze toward Dave who happened to be talking with one of the coaching staff.
"So, tomorrow's training will be during the evening." The goalkeeper said.
"Yeah." The man replied with a nod.
"Hello," Emma said as soon as she got closer to the two. "I don't mean to interrupt but you have something to deal with."
"Oh, yeah, the interview, right?" Dave said.
"Yeah," Emma said before she slowly wrapped her hands around his arm and pulled him closer to the area. "Please just act like it's any other reporter interviewing you and don't do anything stupid."
"Why would I do anything stupid, I know this is official and nothing to be joked with?" Dave said.
"Okay, I'm glad to hear you say that, now get in position." She said before making her way to her spot while Dave slowly walked up in front of the spherical board which had the names and logos of all of Unique FC and Bilbeth Premier League's sponsors embedded on it and of course the league's logo which was a well designed silver ball with little blue lines stretched out of it to illustrate the shot power.
"So, Dave, your team somehow found a way to beat Lave City, how do you feel about the victory?" She asked, pointing the mic toward him.
Dave hesitated for a while as if he was trying to gather his words before he began to speak.
"How am I supposed to feel about it? Everyone feels excited about winning a match so that's the same for me, my teammates, the management, and of course the fans too." Dave answered. "We lost the away leg one goal to zero so it's nice to have them come to our home and lose to us the same way we lost to them."
"Okay," Emma said. "This match puts you guys on level points with Lesica United but they are still in eighth place which is the conference league spot because they have the higher goal difference, they have a match tomorrow which will determine if they'll stir clear of you guys with more points or stay where they are.
What do you think, do you think you guys have a chance to make the conference league spot with just two matches left?"
"We've talked about it in the locker room, and I've thought about it a lot, this is the closest the team has gotten to qualifying for a European competition in a long time, we all want to qualify for the competition and you can see that we are all giving out best in any way we can."
"Okay, on to the next question, a lot of people have been talking about your recent form and how you've saved your team during this last period of the season, can you please tell us the secret to this newfound form because looking at your performance during the beginning to the middle and now the season is ending, there's a very big difference, what's your secret?" She asked.
"Well, I realized that I have been slacking off so I got serious and began to implement hard work in my life, that's how I got better and I hope I'll keep getting better." The goalkeeper said.
"Okay, but is that just it?"
"No." He said, shaking his head. "My girlfriend has also been a source of motivation for me, she encourages me to keep pushing when I don't feel like it, I'm so glad I have someone like her in my life."
Hearing him say that, a warm smile suddenly appeared on her face.
"But she's not the only one, my best friend in the squad Mateo Smith has also been a source of inspiration and motivation to me just like his sister," Dave added.
"Okay, last question now, this has been a wonderful night for you given the fact that you got the first clean sheet in your career and also your first man of the match award. How do you feel about these little accomplishments and to whom do you dedicate your man of the match award?"
"I feel elated to have finally made these accomplishments in my career as a goalkeeper, I know this may sound funny to some but I am more excited about the clean sheet and would still be happy if they had given the award to someone else." He expressed.
"And to whom would you like to dedicate the award?"
"To my late mother who played a major role in making my career a success and also my girlfriend who reminds me so dearly of her and has become a solid part of my life," Dave said.
"You never told me I reminded you of your mother." She said before quickly covering her mouth as she didn't know when the words escaped her mouth.
"You do." He said with a smile on his face.
"You don't have to answer that." She said gritting her teeth.
"That would be enough for today, Dave." She said before turning off the microphone and turning to face Matthew who was standing a little distance behind her.
"Okay, I'll see you at home," Dave said before making his way toward the tunnel.
"That was some interview," Matthew said after getting closer to her.
"What? The part about you reminding him of his mother?"
"Yeah, is there any way to erase that part?"
"This is the twenty-first century Emma, that video was streamed live to every sports platform available," Matthew said.
"Yeah, that was a stupid question." She said, slapping her face with her palm.
"Can I see my post-match rewards now?" Dave said as he walked down the hallway.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter?
If I get up to a hundred golden tickets before the end of the month I will release six chapters on the first of December.