In the 62nd minute, they had a penalty appeal. Their striker went down in the box under a challenge from Mark. The referee waved it away. It was a brave decision. It could have gone either way. The system flashed: [Penalty Appeal: 60% Chance]. We had dodged a bullet. Again.
In the 68th minute, it happened. The moment we had drilled on Tuesday night. The transition. We won the ball deep in our own half. Big Dave, instead of hoofing it clear, rolled it out to Scott. Scott, without looking, played a first-time pass to JJ, who had already started his sprint.
The counter-attack was on. JJ, his pace a blur against their slow centre-backs, raced towards goal. He got his shot away, a powerful, driven effort, but their goalkeeper made a brilliant save. It wasn't a goal, but it was a statement. It was proof that we weren't just here to defend. We were here to win.
