Chapter 133: Sparks and Struggles at Broadfield
Broadfield Stadium, Crawley
Matchday 5: Crawley Town vs. Swindon Town
Saturday morning arrived with a buzz of tension after a long week, and Broadfield Stadium brimmed with anticipation.
The pitch gleamed under a pale sun, and the sharp scent of fresh-cut grass mixed with the faint aroma of coffee from a nearby van.
Niels pulled into the training ground, his pickup's tires crunching on the damp gravel, a tight knot of resolve and frustration in his chest.
Four games in, Crawley sat bottom of the mid-table with six points one win, two draws, and a loss but the spark that had lit up the squad last spring now felt like it was fading.
Swindon's relentless press offered a chance to reignite it or watch it die out.
The local press was split. One headline asked, "Promotion Hangover or Solid Start?" while another took a jab: "Crawley lack rhythm… the magic from the FA Cup seems to have vanished."
