Chapter 220: Matchday
Dev's boots pressed into the frozen grass as he took his position between the lines. The stadium roared, red and white scarves rippling like waves.
Dev looked at Carlisle's players.
They stood in two tight lines of four. They weren't going to attack early. They were going to defend and wait for the crucial chance.
Dev took a slow breath.
The referee's whistle cut through the freezing December air, and the Broadfield Stadium erupted.
The sound crashed over the pitch like a wave.
Max tapped the ball backward, and Crawley began to move. Carlisle dropped deep straight away, forming two tight lines in front of their box.
They weren't here to play open football.
They were here to defend.
Kieron received the ball and passed it wide. Dev stayed between the lines, checking his shoulder again and again. A Carlisle midfielder followed him closely, not too tight, not too far.
