Chapter 56: Red Devils Rising
Chapter 56: Red Devils Rising
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Crawley Town beat Burnley 1-0 in the FA Cup, thanks to a powerful goal from Thiago in the 75th minute and some great saves by their goalkeeper, Adam Fletcher. It was a surprising result that excited the whole town. The Red Devils, sixth in League Two, had silenced Turf Moor, their 2,500 fans’ roars a fire in Niels’ heart. With the FA Cup Quarter-Final set for March 29, Crawley Town faced a tough stretch ahead league matches against Macclesfield Town and Morecambe, all before the quarter-final draw on March 1. At Broadfield’s training ground, under a February drizzle, Niels watched his squad gather, lifted by Nate Sutton’s return, a spark for the team. His knee wasn’t fully healed, but the medical staff had cleared him to resume training.
Sunday
Sunday was a rest day, but Crawley thrummed with pride. Niels joined the squad at The White Hart pub, its walls draped with red scarves, fans chanting, "Red Devils!" A banner, "Turf Moor Vanquished!" glowed above the bar, Thiago signing a fan’s shirt with a grin. Max Simons raised a pint, "To Burnley’s fall!" the squad roaring, "To Crawley!" Luka Radev’s laugh echoed as José Baxter mimicked Thiago’s goal slide, sparking Kieron Marsh’s shy smile, his Burnley tackles a redemption sealed. A girl in a red cap thrust a sign at Niels, "FA Cup Kings!" her dad’s shout, "You’re our soul!" warm. Niels nodded, throat tight, the Notts County 2-1 loss a faint scar, the FA Cup a blazing dream.
Later, Niels sat in his flat, BBC News replaying Thiago’s goal, the commentator’s cry, "Crawley, giant-killers!" stirring his chest. Elise’s call broke through, her voice electric, "Bro, you’re legends! Mum and Dad are celebrating!" Niels chuckled, "It’s the players, Elise." His parents’ steady warmth, "We’re proud, son," grounded him, but the quarter-final draw loomed, a Premier League titan stronger than Burnley waiting. What once felt like a dream was now reality but, Macclesfield’s challenge came first.
Monday’s Media Frenzy
Monday brought a media storm, Broadfield swarmed with cameras. Sky Sports cornered Max, "Crawley’s stunned Burnley. Quarter-finals next. Who’s your pick?" Max grinned, "Anyone, mate. We’re Crawley." Thiago’s broken English charmed BBC Radio, "We fight, we win!" prompting Luka’s clap, "That’s our Thiago!" Niels faced ITV, jaw firm, "Burnley was massive, but Macclesfield’s on Tuesday. We need to stay sharp." Off-camera, a reporter muttered, "Big draw’s coming, mate. Premier League’s circling." Niels nodded, pulse quickening, the FA Cup’s weight a quiet pressure.
Training was light, a jog to loosen legs, but Burnley’s glow lingered. Nate Sutton jogged smoothly, his knee brace gone, his nod to Niels, "I’m ready, boss," a spark. Jamal Osei’s banter, "Nate, you missed us slaying giants!" drew a grin, Nate’s reply, "I’ll score at Macclesfield." Fans at the fence, maybe seventy, chanted, "Red Devils!" a boy’s sign, "Nate’s Back!" bright. A woman shouted, "Smash Macclesfield, lads!" her scarf aloft, their faith a fire. Niels waved, Macclesfield’s pitch and the draw a dual riddle.