The ball left his foot like a rocket. It flew through the air, dipping, swerving, a perfect trajectory. The keeper dove, arms outstretched, fingertips grasping. He got a touch. But it wasn't enough. The ball hit the back of the net.
1-1.
The away end exploded. It was pure, unfiltered joy. Our fans were on their feet, roaring, screaming, crying, hugging strangers. The noise was deafening, a wall of sound that seemed to shake the very ground.
Jamie stood there, stunned, as if he couldn't quite believe what he'd just done. Then his teammates mobbed him. Big Dave got there first, grabbing him in a bear hug that lifted him off his feet.
"That's it, kid! That's it!" Baz ruffled his hair. Kev was screaming in his face. JJ was jumping on his back. The entire team surrounded him, a mass of green and white, of joy and relief and pure, beautiful redemption.
