Chapter 21: No More Underdogs
Chapter 21: No More Underdogs
Saturday, 6 December
Match 17: Crawley Town vs Morecambe
The morning of the match arrived gray and unforgiving.
The frost edged the windows, and every breath outside came out as fog. But Broadfield Stadium was awake early, the volunteers laying out kits, groundsmen tending to the turf like it was a sacred ritual, and the staff moving with quiet purpose.
This wasn't just another game.
Morecambe sat fourth in the table. They were organized and ruthless on the break and more efficient. They didn't need ten chances to score, just one was enough to score. But Crawley? Crawley had started to believe they could make theirs count too.
The players arrived one by one, jackets zipped up to their necks, headphones on, and focused. Reece gave a nod to the staff as he walked in. Nate fist-bumped Luka wordlessly. Max Simons, the oldest in the group by a margin strolled in last, slower, quiet, but eyes sharp. He wasn't starting today, but Niels had made it clear, stay ready.
In the dressing room, Niels spoke just once.
"Play with courage. Be the team no one wants to face. We didn't come here to defend, we came here to make a statement."
Kickoff –