Chapter 47: Rise at Broadfield
At half-time, the dressing room was quiet. The score was 1-1, and the players knew they had a good chance of winning.
Thiago had put Crawley ahead in the 25th minute, sending the 2,500 home fans into celebration. Shrewsbury had equalised five minutes before half-time, though, and the mood had changed.
The players sat around the room, tired and sweating under the bright lights. Niels stood in front of them.
Nate was still on everyone's mind. He had been out for three weeks after picking up a ligament injury against Wycombe. The team wanted to win this one for him.
"Guys, we're level, but we're at Broadfield," Niels said. "This is our home."
He looked at Kieron.
"You've got the yellow, so just be careful. Don't let it change the way you play."
Kieron nodded.
Niels then turned to Thiago.
"Keep doing what you've been doing. We need that again."
He looked at Max.
"And Max, keep the defence tight. Don't give them anything easy."
