CHAPTER 21

A ST JOHN’S forward thumped a shot at Jamie, but he got his body behind it and held on well. He raced to the edge of his area and threw the ball to TJ. TJ ran at a defender and then slipped it sideways to Rob, who moved it on to Leila before any of the St John’s players could get near him.

‘That’s better, Parkview,’ called Mr Wood, as Leila passed forward to Tulsi, who shielded the ball brilliantly before laying it off to TJ on the wing. TJ flicked the ball past the defender and nipped inside him, but the defender simply stood in his way and TJ felt as if he had run into a wall. He got to his feet dizzily, as he heard the ref’s whistle. ‘That was great, TJ,’ Rob said in his ear, as he came forward to take the free kick. ‘If we’re as quick as that, they’re bound to give away more fouls.’

‘Yeah, and we’ll all end up in hospital,’ said TJ. He jogged into the penalty area. Rob’s free kick floated towards the back post where Tulsi was waiting. She climbed into the air, but as she was about to head the ball TJ saw a defender nudge her in the back and it skidded off the top of her head and out for a goal kick.

‘Hey!’ said Danny, who had come forward for the set piece and seen what had happened. ‘He shoved her, ref.’

Instantly the ref called Danny over. ‘I’m the referee,’ he said, showing Danny his whistle. ‘No more arguments.’

‘It’s not right,’ Danny muttered to TJ, as he ran back.

‘It wasn’t the ref’s fault,’ TJ said. Danny had been upset and worried about his sister before the game even started, and now it looked as if he might easily lose his temper, and that would be a disaster. ‘He couldn’t see. These St John’s players are clever.’

‘And dirty,’ muttered Danny.

From the goal kick St John’s launched another attack. Their midfielder turned past Rob, shoving him aside, and played the ball out to the wing. Danny saw where the pass was going and stepped forward to cut it out. He took a touch, then played it down the line to TJ, but as he passed the ball the St John’s winger slid in to tackle him. The winger was too late, and he took Danny’s feet from under him. Danny slammed into the ground. Instantly he was back on his feet, his face twisted with anger, facing up to the winger. Rob ran towards him. ‘Danny, no!’ he called.

TJ was certain that Danny was going to hit the St John’s player and get himself sent off. But then Danny stopped. A voice was calling from the crowd. ‘Danny! Hey, Danny!’

TJ looked. A tall, suntanned man was waving at Danny. He was holding Danny’s sister, Rosie, in his other arm. Then he pointed to his side, and TJ saw Danny’s mum with a double buggy beside her and two beaming twins sitting inside it.

Danny waved back. He had a huge smile on his face as he picked up the ball and waved the Parkview team forward. Tulsi collected his free kick on her chest and hit the ball back to Rob. Rob chipped it towards the corner flag and TJ hit the bouncing ball first time, back across the goal.

The defenders were too slow. Leila darted between two of them and slotted the ball into the net. It was 1–0 to Parkview and Leila just stood there, grinning. It was her first goal for Parkview, other than a penalty in the Cup semifinal. ‘You need to think of a celebration that you can do every time you score,’ Tulsi told her, thumping her on the back. Leila laughed. ‘Great cross, TJ,’ she said, as the Parkview supporters cheered from the touchline.

Suddenly the St John’s players didn’t seem scary any more. They just seemed slow. Tulsi began to make dangerous runs, pulling the defenders all over the pitch until they were breathing hard. Space began to open up for TJ and Rob and early in the second half they scored a classic breakaway goal, running the length of the pitch and exchanging passes before TJ fired low into the bottom corner for Parkview to take a 2–0 lead.

St John’s were beaten and they knew it. Tulsi and TJ each scored another goal and Parkview won the match 4–0. They were buzzing with confidence when they played their semifinal. Riverside School had no chance, as Parkview put three goals past them in the first half. TJ scored first with a header from a cross by Rafi. Then Rob put a curling free kick into the top corner before Tulsi scored, left-footed, from the edge of the area. The second half passed like a dream, as Parkview kept the ball with an exhibition of skill that had their supporters shouting ‘Olé’ with every successful pass. And when the final whistle blew they were just one match away from being Regional Champions.

‘This is it, then,’ said Mr Wood, as they waited for the final to begin. TJ heard a shake in his voice and looked up. There was no doubt about it – Mr Wood was nervous. That wasn’t surprising though. They were all feeling it now. A large crowd had gathered to watch the final and TJ had heard players from other teams saying that scouts from all the big clubs were here, on the lookout for talent.

‘Excuse me, Mr Wood,’ said Maggie Burnside, pushing between the Parkview players. ‘I wonder if I could have a few words before the final. Jolly well done, all of you, by the way.’

‘No, you can’t,’ said Mr Wood, putting a hand behind her back and ushering her firmly away. ‘After the match, maybe.’

He turned back, and his face broke into a smile, as he saw a tall dark figure coming towards him. ‘Marshall!’ he said, giving his friend a hug. ‘I can’t believe you came.’

Marshall grinned at them all. ‘How could I miss it?’ he said. ‘We played yesterday night, so we have a day off today. I drove up with Phil.’

TJ saw the coach from the Wanderers Academy standing behind Marshall. Phil winked at him, which TJ thought was strange. ‘Marshall still thinks no one will recognize him,’ Phil said. ‘He’s not exactly a master of disguise, is he?’

Marshall was wearing a black hoodie and a pair of dark glasses. ‘I say, Marshall,’ said Mr Burrows, coming up beside him. ‘It’s good of you to come. Good luck, everyone. You’ve done us proud even if you lose now.’

‘But they’re not going to lose,’ said Mr Wood, smiling. ‘Just as long as you all go away and let me get on with my team talk.’

‘Well, do your best,’ said Phil. ‘Heath Road are a good side. They’ve got several Academy players in the team, but then so—’

‘Phil!’ said Mr Wood. ‘Just go. Now then, you lot. This is what we’re going to do . . .’