Perring took two sharp touches, bringing the ball under total control as he entered the final third. Kaiden Shaw rushed over to cover, his face set in a mask of concentration.
Perring slowed down, inviting the challenge. He performed a subtle feint inside, making Shaw hesitate for a fraction of a second. That was all he needed. Perring burst to the left, leaving Shaw behind.
He lifted his head. He saw Luis Navarro making a diagonal run toward the near post, dragging Mbete-Sekou with him. Perring didn't go for the glory shot. He crossed the ball low and fast, a "whipped" delivery aimed at the corridor of uncertainty between the keeper and the defense.
"That's a good delivery," Teddy said, leaning forward.
Navarro lunged for the ball, his studs inches away from making contact. It looked like a certain goal. But at the last possible second, Noah Mbete-Sekou threw himself into a desperate block, sliding across the turf to deflect the ball out for a corner.
