Toby fired a low, hard cross across the face of the goal. It bypassed the diving James Mitchell. It bypassed the sliding Alex Morgan.
Luis Navarro lunged forward. He was inches away from the ball. He could see the leather, see the stitching. He threw his whole body at it, his boot outstretched.
Clang!
The ball hit the base of the post and spun out.
[> "OFF THE POST AGAIN!" <] Peter Walsh yelled, his voice a mix of shock and pity. [> "Rising Stars are cursed! How many times can they hit the woodwork?" <]
The rebound fell to Émile Fournier on the edge of the box. He didn't have time to think. He struck it first time. The shot was goalward, but a Hastings defender threw his entire body in the way, blocking it with his chest.
The ball bounced into the air, and James Mitchell scrambled to grab it, hugging it to his chest like it was a pot of gold.
