Chapter 138: Fighting for Every Inch

Chapter 138: Fighting for Every Inch Chapter 138: Fighting for Every Inch Saturday, September 21, 2010 Bescot Stadium, Walsall Matchday 8: Walsall vs. Crawley Town The days following Crawley’s narrow win over Leyton Orient passed in a blur of cold mornings and bruising drills. The excitement from that late goal faded quickly, replaced by the pressure of what lay ahead. Mist clung to the grass at Broadfield as players slogged through the wet turf, their boots squelching with every step. But Niels didn’t ease up. The Europa League group stage was fast approaching, and the draw had been brutal: Bayer Leverkusen, Fiorentina, and Rosenborg. Crawley wasn’t ready for European competition yet. But despite that, they were on their way there anyway. That looming challenge influenced every decision this week. The squad couldn’t afford to lose ground in League One not now, especially with only a few points separating them from the top. But their legs were getting tired, and their minds were divided. Walsall, the next opponents, weren’t flashy or glamorous. But they were dangerous.. tough, physical, and relentless. The kind of team that would drag you into the mud and wear you down until you had nothing left. Niels understood this well. Every training session that week felt like a clear warning. During Thursday’s morning training, he shouted sharp instructions: "They’ll throw long, fight in the air, and thrive on chaos. We can’t get drawn into that. We have to win the second balls, keep our shape, and make them chase us." The players pushed hard through every drill. Max kept running even though his legs felt heavy. Pogba dominated in the air during the aerial exercises. Freeman, Kieron, and Thiago controlled the middle, passing quickly and building a strong rhythm. Dev moved unpredictably between the lines, always a threat. On the wings, Thiago and Nate cut inside with every touch. In the corner, Jamal grimaced as he stretched his knee but refused the physio’s offer, he was determined to play. The squad was getting exhausted, running on fumes but their fire still burned strong. Saturday morning arrived cold and overcast, with the Midlands sky hanging low and heavy. Bescot Stadium stood ahead like a concrete fortress, wet from days of steady drizzle. The away dressing room was small and cramped, filled with the heavy smell of sweat and muscle rub. The players sat quietly, focused and calm as they tied their boots, wrapped their tape, and stretched out their tired muscles. Niels stood at the front of the room, his eyes sharp and focused under the dull glow of the fluorescent lights. Outside, the rain pattered steadily against the metal roof. "Walsall won’t give us any space. They’ll launch long balls, fight for every second ball, and create chaos. But that’s not how we play. We stay focused. We stay united. And we beat them by playing our game." He looked around the room, meeting eyes one by one. "Jamal, protect the defensive line. Freeman and Kieron, control the tempo in midfield. Thiago and Dev, stretch their defense wide. Tom, push us forward with your runs. Max, lead the attack. Reece, stay alert and pick your moments carefully, don’t lose focus." Max stood up, the captain’s armband snug around his arm. "Let’s fight for every inch," he said, his voice rough but determined. Kieron cracked his knuckles, bouncing lightly on his feet, fully ready. Thiago gave Dev a quick nudge, a spark of energy between them. "You ready to tear it up?" Thiago asked. Dev smirked. "You already know." In the corner, Jamal tested his knee again, winced, then nodded—he was playing. Nate leaned back and grinned at Tom. "You sure you’re not running to Germany already, mate?" Tom snorted. "Walsall first. One battle at a time." Bescot was alive at kickoff. The home fans sang loudly and quickly, their claret and blue scarves swirling as the rain poured down in heavy sheets. Crawley lined up: Fletcher in goal. Zach and Liam at center back. Reece and Jamal in the holding roles. Kieron and Freeman in the middle. Thiago and Dev on the flanks. Max up front, pressing every ball. Kickoff: The game kicked off like a fierce street fight fast, chaotic, and full of raw energy. Walsall wasted no time. Every throw-in was fired like a catapult, every corner packed with elbows. The ball rarely stayed on the ground. It was a relentless battle of headers, shoulder clashes, and messy scrambles. Within minutes, Crawley found themselves under relentless pressure. "Don’t give them space!" Niels shouted from the touchline, his voice barely cutting through the wind. Jamal, grimacing but determined, threw himself into challenge after challenge. Meanwhile, Freeman worked to slow the game down, taking extra touches and spreading passes wide to keep control. But Walsall kept coming, relentless and unforgiving. In the 30th minute, Dev broke free down the left, skillfully weaving past his marker before sending a low cross across the box. Max connected with the ball, but a defender threw himself in front, blocking the shot at the last moment. A moment later, Walsall launched a long throw into the six-yard box. Zach reacted quickly, flicking a strong header to clear the danger. Liam barked orders, rallying the defense to stay organized. By halftime, the score was still 0–0. Crawley had managed to hold on, but it had been a tough, close call. Back in the dressing room, their shirts stuck to their skin, legs streaked with mud. They were serious and focused, fully locked in. Niels spoke calmly but firmly. "They want to drag us into a messy fight, but we’re better than that. Freeman and Kieron, move the ball faster. Thiago and Dev, take risks and stretch their defense. Max, keep pressing and looking for openings." Max nodded firmly. "Let’s finish this." As the second half began, the atmosphere changed. Crawley found their rhythm. Thiago burst down the right wing, sending in a low cross that forced the goalkeeper into a desperate save. Meanwhile, Freeman and Kieron took control in midfield, using quick, precise passes to break through Walsall’s defense. In the 60th minute, Niels made a key change bringing Pogba and Nate onto the pitch to replace Kieron and Freeman, injecting fresh power and pace into the team. Then, in the 68th minute, the moment arrived. Thiago received a pass from Reece near halfway, took one, two quick touches, and exploded past his marker. Cutting inside, he fired a low shot that deflected off a defender, sending the ball looping high into the air and into the net. Goal. 1-0. The away end erupted. Red scarves flew through the air as the crowd roared. Thiago sprinted to the corner flag, arms wide, celebrating wildly. Max was the first to catch him, throwing his arms around him in a hug. The bench spilled onto the pitch, their excitement uncontrollable. Niels allowed himself a single fist pump, eyes bright with hope. After the goal, Walsall weren’t done. If anything, they got nastier. Long balls rained down. Set pieces piled up. Fletcher had to punch a corner clear through a sea of bodies. Jamal, clearly hobbling now, threw himself into another block chesting down a loose ball and powering it upfield. Tom Whitehall, exhausted and bleeding from a scrape above his knee, won a huge midfield header in the 82nd minute, sending the away fans into a roar. In the 85th minute, Max was substituted for Korey Henry, bringing a fresh burst of energy to help see the game through. Korey immediately made his presence felt, his pace stretching Walsall’s tired defenders, his pressing forcing mistakes. One clever run down the right flank almost created a chance, cutting inside sharply before being crowded out. As the minutes ticked down, Korey’s relentless work rate helped Crawley hold their shape, disrupting Walsall’s late surge. His fresh legs were exactly what the team needed to close out the match. Then, Fletcher pulled off a miraculous save in stoppage time—a diving parry from a header that looked destined for the top corner. The whistle blew. Full-time. Crawley 1–0 Wallswall. It wasn’t a beautiful game, and it wasn’t easy but the win was well deserved. The players sank to the ground, exhausted but victorious. The away fans cheered loudly, scarves waving in the cold air. Niels gathered the team, his voice calm but proud. "That’s how you fight. That’s how you win." Max, subbed off but still buzzing, clapped Korey on the back. "Great energy, mate." Jamal iced his knee but smiled quietly, he’d given everything. As they headed back to the bus, the squad knew the real challenge was just ahead. Europe awaited. But for now, Crawley had earned this hard-fought victory. Back at the stadium, the lights dimmed. But some players stayed behind. Thiago and Dev traded crosses, laughing. "Mine’s got more power," Thiago teased. Dev clipped one off the post. "Try to keep up." Freeman sat with Nate on the bench, sketching runs in his notebook. "You opened them up," he said. Nate nodded. "Next week, we go again." Jamal sat near the tunnel, knee iced, boots off. Emma, the physio, patted his shoulder. "You gave everything." He didn’t answer, but his quiet nod said enough. Later that night, Niels sat alone in the analysis room. The soft glow of his laptop flickered across his tired face as he replayed key moments, the determination in Jamal’s block, Fletcher’s incredible save, and that sharp finish from Kieron. He paused the clip, letting the silence settle around him. "We’re close," he whispered. "We’re getting close." Outside, under the quiet floodlights of the empty pitch, a few players lingered Max, Dev, Thiago, and Kieron. They passed the ball between them, laughter breaking the stillness. They were still motivated, still eager to achieve more. The stadium was quiet now, but Crawley’s spirit kept beating strong. A team maybe not quite ready for Europe yet but hungry to prove themselves. A team that refused to be overlooked. And this was just the beginning.