The expectation of being the top team in the league was finally taking its toll on Crestwood. Every game now had the flavor of a cup final, and the trip to Harrington was no different. Harrington were at the bottom of the table, but Coach Warren never allowed anyone to forget the danger.
"Don't look at the table," he warned on the bus. "Harrington will fight for every inch. They'll chase every ball, fly into every tackle, and play like their season depends on this. If we're sloppy, they'll punish us. Respect the opponent, stay focused, and do the job."
The Harrington ground was as unpretentious as they come. There was a thin veneer of mud on the pitch, the lines invisible. The home crowd, low on numbers, but made plenty of noise, sensing an opportunity to defeat the leaders.
Since the kickoff, Harrington threw themselves into the game. During the first ten minutes, Ethan had been hacked down twice, and Mason was shouting above the cacophony of the crowd. "Stay calm! Move the ball!"
Crestwood created their first real chance in the 16th minute. Ethan saw Callum losing his marker and played through two defenders. Callum struck it hard, but the Harrington keeper got a leg out to cut him off.
In the 24th minute, Harrington stunned all and sundry. A promising long pass was overestimated by the Crestwood center-back, and the striker pounced on the opportunity. He shot round the keeper to leave Harrington with a shocking 1–0 lead. The home crowd went berserk.
For one moment Crestwood looked shaken, but Mason clapped his fingers and bellowed at his teammates. "Heads up! Loads of time left!"
The equalizer came in the 34th minute. Ethan outpaced a midfielder and sent the left winger sprinting down the touchline. The cross was driven low in, and Callum slipped in to knock it into the goal. 1–1. Relief washed over the visitors as they huddled together.
Halftime came with the match level. The tone was scathing from Coach Warren. "You're playing as though it's already finished. Harrington think they can get something back. Bring the level up or else they will. Show me you're top of the table."
The second half saw Crestwood pick up the pace. Mason dominated the midfield, winning tackles and keeping possession on the move. In the 53rd minute, Ethan collected the ball on the outside of the box, feigned the shot, and instead drove Callum through again. This time Callum fired it home into the bottom corner. 2–1 Crestwood.
From that point on, Harrington pushed everyone forward, looking for that equalizer. Their striker forced a save in the 68th minute, and another header curled just past the post in the 75th. Ethan dipped himself lower to defend, as Mason kept screaming orders to keep the backline compact.
Crestwood put the game to bed in the 82nd minute. Harrington's corner was cleared, and Ethan collected the loose ball. He beat half the pitch, shrugged off a tackle, and slid it wide to Callum. Callum slammed home his hat-trick goal. 3–1 Crestwood, all over.
As the whistle blew, Harrington players collapsed onto the muddy pitch, Crestwood boys holding each other in victory. It was ugly, but it was three precious points more.
"That's how you win championships," Mason said, his tone stern yet proud.
Callum grinned. "Hat-trick hero. Say it, lads. Say it loud."
Ethan laughed and shook his head. "You're impossible."
But inside, he knew Mason had been correct. Ugly or otherwise, they were the kind of victories that created champions.
League table after MD15
Rank Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS
1 Crestwood 15 12 2 1 32 15 +17 38
2 Westford 15 12 1 2 32 12 +21 37
3 Riverton 15 9 5 1 33 18 +15 32
4 Ashbourne 15 9 4 2 28 16 +12 31
5 Northbridge 15 7 6 2 20 14 +6 27
6 Eastfield 15 6 2 7 22 25 -3 20
7 Greenford 15 3 5 7 16 25 -9 14
8 Linton 15 2 2 11 13 31 -18 8
9 Marston Vale 15 1 4 10 12 29 -17 7
10 Harrington 15 0 3 12 11 34 -23 3