The Final Gamble

Chapter 66: The Final Gamble

Second Half:

The whistle pierced the air at 8:30 p.m., Upton Park quaking as 30,000 West Ham fans bellowed, "Bubbles!" their claret-and-blue scarves a tidal wave, drowning out the 2,000 Crawley supporters, whose defiant chant, "We are Crawley!" rose like a beacon, their red scarves blazing in the away end. West Ham charged forward, Julien Faubert's 48th-minute cross arcing dangerously, Carlton Cole's header sailing wide, Adam Fletcher's shout, "My ball!" anchoring the defense, Crawley's fans exhaling, "Fletch-er!" their voices a lifeline. Niels clapped from the touchline, "Stay focused and leave no gaps, lads!" his pulse hammering, West Ham's pressure a relentless wave crashing against Crawley's resolve.