The World's Biggest Bogey (6 page)

Danny sat down dejectedly on a bench, his head bowed. ‘Yeah, right.’

Matthew put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. ‘There’s always next season.’

The Sparrows lined up in the tunnel next to the Hogton Growlers team. Hogton were a big side. They looked at Danny and Matthew, and then at the girls, and then at the little ones at the back,
and
then
burst out laughing.

‘They should just give us the cup now and save time,’ chuckled the Hogton captain.

This is going to be the longest hour of my life, thought Danny.

He hobbled on to the pitch, took up his position in goal and got ready to start the game.

Hogton kicked off, and in three passes were in Danny’s penalty area. The big striker, Wayne Mooney, blasted a fierce shot towards the top corner of the goal.
Danny’s smelly feet screamed in agony as he pushed off the ground, but he managed to get his fingertips to the ball and push it over the crossbar.

‘Great save, Danny!’ shouted Matthew.

From the corner, David Peckham headed the ball down to Danny’s left. Danny dropped, and held the ball on the line. The crowd cheered another great save.

The first half went on in exactly the same way: the Growlers attacking, and Danny making save after save to keep them out. The Hogton goalkeeper didn’t touch the ball once in the whole
first half.

The referee blew the whistle for half-time. Nil-nil!

Danny got into the changing room and almost collapsed into his seat. He was exhausted.

‘Did we win?’ asked Amy Johnson.

Matthew ignored her. ‘Right, Danny, here’s the plan. If you carry on saving everything in the second half, then I’d say there’s about a sixteen per cent chance we can win
the match on penalties.’

Danny’s toxic toes throbbed with pain.

‘I can’t, Matt. I can’t do that again.’

Just then there was a knock at the changing-room door and Danny’s dad came in. ‘How are your feet?’ he asked.

‘Terrible,’ replied Danny. ‘I don’t think I’m going to be much use in the second half.’

‘Well, whatever happens, I just wanted you to know that your performance in the first half was the best I’ve ever seen.’

‘Really?’

‘Danny, you were fantastic – I couldn’t have saved some of those shots. I’m really proud of you.’

‘Thanks, Dad.’

Danny didn’t feel the pain in his feet when he walked back out on to the field. He could have been walking on feathers.

In the second half, there was nothing Mooney, Ronald-Howe and Peckham could do to beat Danny. But with one minute to go, Wayne Mooney, the Growlers’ big striker, got
through the defence once more.

Danny moved out to meet him.

The lad had tried to dribble round Danny five times already in the game, but every time Danny had dived bravely at his feet, and picked the ball off his toe. This time Wayne lifted his right
foot and blasted the ball towards the goal.

It fizzed past Danny and was heading for the top corner when he somehow arched backwards and managed to touch the ball wide of the post for a corner.

The crowd jumped to their feet and roared and clapped this save, the best one of all. Wayne held his head in his hands.

Danny got up and ran to his goal.

‘Come on!’ he shouted. ‘Everyone back!’

The Growlers’ coach screamed at his goalkeeper to go up for the corner, and as the winger took the kick, every other player crowded into Coalclough’s penalty area, jostling for
position.

It was a good corner kick, arching high and fast into the centre of the area. Danny made his decision and charged off his line, as the Hogton goalkeeper raced forward and leaped high to head the
ball. Danny dived and stretched and pulled the ball out of the air with both hands. The Hogton keeper headed nothing, and fell to the ground in a heap. Danny landed on his feet, clutching the ball
tightly to his chest.

Once again the crowd cheered.