Chapter 129: Momentum in the Making
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday morning broke gently after the hard-fought win over Preston. At Broadfield Stadium, there was a quiet sense of hope in the air.
The training pitches were still slick from Saturday's rain, and the sharp scent of wet grass mixed with the faint smell of bonfires in the distance.
Niels pulled into the training ground, his pickup's engine letting out a low grumble as he parked near the gate.
The quiet was broken only by the soft hum of a nearby coffee cart. He felt a flicker of relief from the win still lingering in his chest but Notts County away was already on his mind. It was a chance to build momentum, or slip back into uncertainty.
The media reaction was a mixed bag. On Sunday, a radio pundit didn't hold back: "Crawley's win was lucky just papering over the cracks. They're not fooling anyone in League One." The jab was sharp, and it took some of the shine off the victory.
