179 The Red Forest Part 2 (2/2)
”Eastwood!!!”
The unmarked Eastwood used all of his force to sweep the football into the empty goal, and the ball entered as expected, igniting everyone.
”We're in the lead! We're in the lead!” The Nottingham Forest radio commentator exclaimed. His excited voice traveled over the airwaves to all the Nottingham people, who were watching the game. When they heard the news, they all jumped, no matter what they were doing at the time.
”Nottingham Forest is leading against West Bromwich Albion at their home ground! They were still behind by 1:2 in the first half, and now, they are leading 3:2!” At the same time as Motson's commentary, the television screen displayed the latest league table: the Forest team with a two-point advantage pressed ahead of West Bromwich Albion, and became second in the League Championship, while West Bromwich Albion fell to the third in the League Championship!
”If the score stays to the end, then Nottingham Forest shall return to the Premier League after four years!”
At the same time, a song that raised the spirits of the Forest folks rang out from the North Stand: ”When we are in the Premier League next season, where will you be? West Bromwich Albion, where will you be?” The lyrics had been changed from the same tune that the West Bromwich Albion fans had used in the first half, and now it had become a weapon that the Forest fans were using to taunt their opponents.
Sure enough, the West Bromwich Albion fans were silenced, when they heard the song.
When you mock us, this is the most powerful comeback!
Apparently, the Forest fans, like Manager Tony Twain now, liked to stab a knife into their opponents' heart, twist it, and then sprinkle salt into the wound. However, the 3:2 score did not guarantee the success of the Forest team, because West Bromwich Albion would only need to put effort into it, score another goal in the next 20 minutes, and that would make the Forest team's efforts come to naught, especially if the goal was scored during the injury stoppage time, then, there would not even be enough time to turn the situation around.
Consequently, at this point, Tang En was trying his hardest to yell at the players on the field, ”Keep calm! Keep calm!” He pointed his hands at his temples, reminding the players to stay calm and not let their heads be turned by the situation before their eyes, ”The game is not over yet!”
This was a critical moment, and they could not afford to be careless. Defense was always more difficult than offense, especially after they had just scored a goal. Because the players were too easily distracted, due to their over-excitement, to stay focused. They could ignore important things, such as a leak in their defense, the loss of a position, and so on.
Fortunately, among the excited crowd, George Wood, the Forest team's midfield protective barrier, was calm and steady as ever. He seemed to have been completely unaffected by the fervent atmosphere at the home ground, and just dutifully continued to do his job well.
The rest of the game was a test for the heart of anyone who supported Nottingham Forest. West Bromwich Albion, who had already fallen behind in both the score and the league table, was not resigned to lose this game just yet. They launched a series of attacks on the Forest team's goal, with each wave surpassing the previous wave, hoping to equalize the score as soon as possible, and thus, regain control.
But their efforts lasted only twelve minutes, before it was ended. At the 81st minute, when the game only had nine minutes left before the injury stoppage time began, the Forest team seized an opportunity, while the opponents were launching a large-scale and high-pressured offense, to equalize the score. Crouch scored a decisive goal, locking in their victory!
”4:2! The City Ground has gone crazy!”
The Forest fans in the stands surged to the front row, like the tide coming in, as if they would break through the gap between the police and billboards at any time, and rushed onto the field.
”The Forest team returns to the Premier League!” A voice roared out the heartfelt wish of all Nottingham Forest fans in the stadium broadcast.
”The West Bromwich Albion players just sank to the ground, as they can't believe the score ... Tony Twain's Forest team gets the last laugh again! There are still about ten minutes left in the game. Let's have a look at West Bromwich Albion now, they can't possibly turn the situation around with two consecutive goals, the Forest team will not give them such a good chance!”
This time, Tang En no longer asked his players to remain calm. The players on the field all rushed to, and piled up, at the sidelines, and the substitutes also flocked to join the celebrations. As for Tang En, he looked back at his partner, Des Walker, whose face was so wet that he could not make out whether it was the tears or the rain.
”Des, we've won. We're back!”
Walker pressed his lips together and nodded hard. He was speechless at this very moment.
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The next day, the front-page headline of the latest publication of the was a large photograph of Tony Twain, surrounded by countless reporters, pointing at the camera. The headline above the photograph read:
”Young manager issued a declaration: English Premier League, we're back! The Red Forest is back in the European Championships!”