Émile Fournier stood over the ball. He took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the top corner of the net. He could see James Mitchell adjusting his wall, barking orders at his defenders.
[> "Fournier over the free kick," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "He's got the technique for this. Mitchell needs to be at his best." <]
Fournier took a short, rhythmic run-up. He struck the ball with the inside of his boot, a delicate, curling effort that bypassed the five-man wall. It was heading straight for the top corner.
James Mitchell, however, was having a career-defining night. He read the flight perfectly. He took two quick steps to his left and launched himself into the air, his fingers tipping the ball over the bar.
[> "Mitchell saves again!" <] Michael Harrison yelled. [> "The keeper is having a brilliant match! That's four world-class saves in this half alone!" <]
Another corner to Rising Stars. The pressure was relentless, a rising tide that Hastings was struggling to hold back.
