Read Online Lucy Zeezou's Goal by Liz Deep-Jones - Free Book Online

positions with Brandan. Dylan, you’ve been the best player in the first half. Keep up the good work. Morgan, as usual you’ve been working tirelessly. Keep running at them. Jasper, if Dylan or Morgan goes, sit back into midfield. Brandan, when you get the ball, relax and enjoy it. Take your time … put your foot on the ball and do it simply. Boys, one otherthing. Lucy is giving you options and you’re not utilising her when she’s in space. She’s being ignored.’
    Brandan spoke up. ‘Coach, I think we’re just not used to playing alongside a girl. No offence, Lucy, we’re not sure how to include you.’
    Coach James responded, ‘Brandan, thanks for your honesty. Lucy is one of us. If it helps, call her “Zeezou”, it’s her nickname. Is that okay, Lucy?’
    â€˜Of course, I’d love that,’ I replied.
    â€˜You must look out for her and pass her the ball. It’s really disappointing that you’re not including her, but now I understand it’s not intentional. So, if Zeezou calls for the ball, look up and pass it to her. It’s a team effort that will help us win the game. So let’s do it, Dunbar.’
    As the rest of the players ran back on to the pitch, Coach James took me aside and encouraged me to roam in midfield and run with the ball to set up Harry. He also had a private word with Harry, and whatever was said, Harry ended up with a smile on his face. Coach James seemed to know how to get the best out of his players. Pino would really like him.
    We ran back on for the second half, a goal down. Harry still hadn’t spoken to me, but I was feeling much more relaxed on the pitch and determined to make an impact.
    We came out firing. Dylan, our talented midfielder,wove his magic in the middle of the pitch and kicked a beautiful through ball for me to chase. I just had to beat the sweeper.
    â€˜Good ball, Dylan … now back her up. Go, Zeezou, win it!’ Coach James yelled.
    I ran with such utter desperation that I tripped over my feet … the crowd roared. I bounced straight back up but I was too late. My opponent had the ball and tried to work his way back up the pitch.
    I managed to win the ball back and pressed on as my team mates made their way into the box. I crossed the ball, hoping to find Harry, who was lurking among the defenders. He leapt higher than the rest, heading the ball straight past the besieged keeper to level.
    Cheers echoed from the sidelines and Coach James was the proudest of all. ‘Great work Dunbar. Well done Harry … that’s it, Zeezou, let’s keep it up Lions.’
    Harry was mobbed by the rest of the team, celebrating his magnificent goal. I stood alone, wondering what else I had to do to become a part of this team, when to my surprise a few of the boys ran over to me.
    â€˜Superb cross, Zeezou,’ offered Dylan.
    Jasper and Dugald gave me a high five.
    Brandan, the captain, gave me a big smile. ‘Great job, Zeezou. Keep it up.’
    And then the one that counted most. ‘Hey, Lucy Zeezou, thanks. Perfect cross,’ said Harry.
    â€˜That was a brilliant header, very impressive,’ I replied.
    He gave me a high five and a smile.
    I think that was the start of our friendship. Whatever Coach James said to him must have sunk in. I’d earned respect as a team player and that’s what it was all about. I understood exactly what Nonno Dino had meant about a happy team.
    But we still had a tough job ahead with the score level at 1–1. We needed another goal and it was proving extremely tough, with both sides lifting the intensity and hungry for a win.
    â€˜Come on Dunbar, keep up the pressure,’ Coach James yelled.
    Deep into the second half we were battle-weary, and a lapse in concentration nearly saw us concede another goal. Queens Park came close to wrapping up the game in the final five minutes. We looked on in horror as a looping ball floated in