Chapter 69: Clash Before Wembley
Chapter 69: Clash Before Wembley
Wednesday, April 7 - Saturday, April 17, 2010
The FA Cup semifinal against Aston Villa at Wembley on April 18 was huge, but first, Crawley had to get through two tough league games against Bournemouth on April 7 and Torquay United on April 11. With players tiring from the tight schedule and nine league matches left to fight for a top-three finish, Niels had a big challenge: balance the dream of cup glory with the push for promotion, Could Crawley handle Bournemouth’s flair, Torquay’s grit, and Villa with Chelsea/Tottenham waiting in the final or would the pressure be too much?
Wednesday’s Bournemouth Clash
Dean Court buzzed under April’s dusk, 2,000 Crawley fans crammed into the away end, their red scarves a defiant blaze against Bournemouth’s 8,000. Second-placed Bournemouth, five points ahead, played with flair, their wingers a storm. Niels rested Nate again, Dev Patel starting, his pace a spark. The squad touched Max’s scuffed boots in the changing room, their superstition a grin, Thiago’s quip, "With this I will score tonight!" sparking smile and nods. Max, captain’s fire blazing, led them out, his glance to Luka Radev, "Lock their midfield, mate,"
The whistle blew at 7:45 p.m., Bournemouth’s passing crisp, their playmaker weaving through Crawley’s lines. In the 8th minute, Jamal Osei’s tackle, Instinct Lens [Steel] glowing, halted a run, his pass to Luka, Instinct Lens [Vision] flaring, sparking a counter. Thiago’s shot, Instinct Lens [Silky technique] glowing, curled wide, fans chanting, "Thi-a-go!" A man in a red scarf roared, "Go on, Thiago!" Bournemouth’s wingers cut inside, Reece Darby’s 15th-minute block sparking chants, "Reece!" In the 20th minute, Dev’s cross found Max, his header tipped over, fans bellowing, "Max-y!"
In the 50th minute, Crawley struck. Luka’s pass, Instinct Lens [Vision] blazing, split Bournemouth’s defense, Max surging, his low shot arrowing past the keeper, 1-0.
The away end erupted, "Max-y!" scarves twirling, a girl shouting, "Captain!" Max pumped a fist, his fire a beacon. Bournemouth leveled in the 65th minute, a winger’s curling shot past Fletcher, 1-1.
The away end groaned, "Come on, Reds. We got this!" Niels signaled high press, Thiago and Dev stretching the flanks. In the 70th minute, he subbed Ilyas Kadir for Tom Whitehall, adding grit, Ilyas’ tackle sparking chants, "Il-yas!"