Lucy Zeezou's Goal (6 page)

We all sat down on the sideline, while Coach James stood in front of us to address the players.

‘First of all Lucy-Lucas, I think you're an extremely talented player and you definitely proved how much you love this game. Talent, passion and commitment are what
I look for in my players and you have those qualities in abundance. And most importantly, I look for creativity, and you certainly have that. Boys, I hope you'll support Lucy as she's one of us – a footballer and a very good one.'

‘Oh, come on Coach, she's not that good,' Harry interjected. ‘We need a real striker for tomorrow's game, not some long blonde spaghetti from Italy.'

‘Harry, I don't like your attitude. We're an inclusive team and that means boys and girls from all backgrounds are welcome to play. That's what football is all about. It was a misunderstanding and it was funny.' A few of the boys sniggered. Coach James went on. ‘I think that we can appreciate Lucy's uncanny efforts. She took extreme measures to play the game we all love, and she's proved that she's an enormous talent.' A few of the boys nodded.

‘You're kidding. You can't let a girl play in our team. And she lied to all of us. If she's in, I'm out of here.' Max stood up and walked off.

I almost expected the rest of them to join him but, surprisingly, nobody else moved. ‘If Lucy's good enough to score goals like that, she's good enough to play in our team,' one of the boys said.

‘That's right, Dylan,' Coach James agreed. ‘I've made my decision. Lucy's on the team and that's final. Lucy, welcome to the 14 A's Dunbar Lions football team … you're our first lioness.'

I was dressed in the pale pink and blue Dunbar Lions football kit, bolting down a deserted pitch to score a goal. Then my team mate Harry appeared, standing stock-still on the goal line. As I made my way to the edge of the box, about to shoot, he thrust forward a big red STOP sign.

I paused, and then another sign appeared.

WRONG WAY, GO BACK.

He had to be kidding … what was he doing? No one was stopping me, so I manoeuvred around him and unleashed the ball with all my might. It soared into the top left-hand corner of the goal.

Harry was furious. He walked over to the ball, picked it up and took it to the edge of the eighteen-yard box, and sat on it.

He then held up another sign, this time a pink one.

NO GIRLS ALLOWED.

How dare he! I was so furious I kicked the ball from under him and scored another goal as he fell on his bottom.

Next thing I knew I was in my tutu, dancing around
the pitch to the sounds of Swan Lake, one of Mama's favourite pieces.

Once I finished my performance I took a bow. When I looked up I could see that Max had joined Harry. They stood together with their arms folded. Gradually they raised their arms to reveal
IMPOSTOR
scrawled in blood-red on their forearms.

I woke up in a sweat.

Impostor
. I wasn't an impostor … I was a footballer and a girl. Why was it so hard to believe?

I pulled myself out of my dreamlike state to face the reality that I was running late for my first game with the Dunbar Lions. Oh, no, they'd be warming up … and if I didn't get there right now I'd be stuck on the bench.

I frantically reached for my dance gear. I hesitated – it's not usual to wear a tutu to classes, but wearing it might make Mama think I was really taking dancing seriously. I slipped it on and packed my football kit into my bag. I was going to look so silly walking down the street like this, but I didn't care.

I ran down the stairs, yelling, ‘Off to dance class … running late, see you soon. Bye.'

Grandpa gave me a wink and a quick ‘Good luck', and I was on my way.

I sprinted straight down to the Reg – there was no time to take my usual route around the block. As I'd suspected, they were in the middle of the warm-up, so
I joined the back of the line as Coach James took them through their paces.

‘Looking sharp, Dylan …'

‘Come up, Morgan, wee volleys … excellent!'

‘Dugald, first touch, then pass … Touch and pass …'

‘That's what it's all about today guys. On your toes … touch and play it!'

‘Ah, Lucy? Did we not give you a strip?

The boys stopped in their tracks. Coach James was giving me an awfully odd look.

‘Lucy, you know how to make an entrance. I don't know if this is part of your Italian sense of humour but you cannot be serious. We're here to play football, not perform the
Nutcracker
.'

‘Sorry, Coach James, um … I've just been to my dance class, that's why I'm running late. I didn't want to miss any more of the warm-up so I thought I'd just join in and change later.'

The boys were laughing, enjoying my humiliation. Coach James tried to settle the players.

‘Okay, that's enough. We've all been late before. We must focus on the game … it's a big one.'

Harry, laughing along with the others, couldn't help himself, ‘Oh, but Coach James, this must be the first time in the history of the game that a footballer has turned up on the pitch dressed like that.'

‘Right, Harry, one more word and you'll be keeping
the bench warm for most of the game – and that goes for the rest of you, too. And Lucy, you know the rules. Those who are late, don't start.'

I was furious with myself, but I knew I had to keep it together and hope that I got a run to prove myself.

Coach James continued. ‘Boys and twinkle toes, this is an important game against Queens Park. They're currently sitting on top of the table, but not for long. We need a victory today for a crack at winning the league. The team I'll send out are those who have impressed me at training and have been committed to the sessions. I want to be clear … I don't like leaving anyone out but it's very competitive with a squad of sixteen and just eleven spots to fill, so those of you who aren't starting will just have to be patient.'

I tuned out in frustration. I hated being stuck on the bench. So close, yet so far … I had to be one of the patient ones, in my first competitive game in a year.

I zoned back in on Coach James's team talk. ‘Morgan told me last week that he hated me because he didn't start. I was very upset.' He made a face and pretended to cry. Everyone laughed. At least this coach had a good sense of humour. He made things fun, so you wanted to play your best for him and the team. ‘Anyone not getting a full game, please don't hold it against me,' he continued. ‘I'm trying to be fair. This is the line-up: Felix in goal, and Callum, I want you starting on the left, up
front with Harry on the right. Dylan and Morgan in the centre, Jared on the left wing and Dugald on the right. Brandan, Jonathon, Jasper and Taj are our back four. The rest of you will get a game. Heads up, we're all in this together.'

I got the impression it was an unusual line-up, as the team was looking at each other in disbelief. There was also a key player missing. It looked like Max had kept to his word and quit the team.

Coach James kept a cool demeanour. ‘We're at the business end of the season and we must play with the right intensity. Up front, I want plenty of movement. Midfield, it's important we support our strikers. Defenders, I want a clean sheet today. Enjoy yourselves out there, play good attacking football and we'll win. Lucy, I think it's time for you to change into your Dunbar kit. No more, um, tutus. They're out this season.' He smiled.

I ran into the toilet to change and emerged dressed in the team strip, eager to get a run.

‘That's better Lucy, now you're one of us. Right, Dunbar Lions?'

‘Yes, Coach James,' they echoed croakily, except for Harry, who was fiddling with his boots.

‘We must focus. I want to see you work as a unit. Keep it nice and tight, compact. This is all about desire: the team who wants it most will win. We're undefeated at home so let's keep up our winning record. Let's go Dunbar.'

The team spirit lifted as we leapt into the air to give each other high fives. A couple of the guys connected with me, but not Harry. Clearly he was still mad. The boys made their way onto the pitch led by our captain, Brandan. Jared came over and gave me a pat on the back before he headed out. It was good to get that support just before the kick-off.

We started our attack from the outset, making good ground with a couple of one-twos. Just ten minutes into the game, a defender came in with a crunching tackle on Callum, who was making a run down the left-hand side. He crumbled to the ground, clutching his right ankle.

Coach James called me up. ‘Lucy, start warming up in case he has to come off.'

He ran on to check Callum's condition and it didn't look good. He couldn't put weight on his right leg. He grimaced with pain.

Coach James alerted the referee he was making a change. ‘Lucy, on you go. I want to see some goals from you.'

I took a few deep breaths to settle my nerves and ran onto the field. The opposition glared in disbelief as I took my position. To my surprise, I also heard some encouraging words from the sidelines.

‘Go girl.'

‘Come on, lioness.'

Some of our rivals weren't as welcoming.

‘Ponytail, you're in the wrong game!'

‘Who's the girly?'

The comments didn't bother me – I'd heard them all before. Besides, there was too much to be done on the pitch to think about that. Queens Park proved to be a very tough opponent. I had to get stuck in and perform at my best if I was going to make an impression.

Despite playing with the home advantage, it was Queens Park who dominated the first half, but our keeper, Felix, managed to keep a clean sheet with some spectacular saves.

The boys were hesitant to pass the ball to me – especially Harry – and ignored my pleas when I was in space. Now I could hear the coach yelling, ‘Pass it to Lucy, she's free. Lucy's free!', but Harry ignored him and went it alone. His shot was blocked by a sea of defenders. I was left standing alone, dejected and shocked that he was so angry with me that he'd jeopardise the game. We could have been leading 1–0.

‘Come on Dunbar, lift your game. Mark up!' yelled Coach James.

Against the run of play, Queens Park worked the ball through the midfield. Their engine room masterfully combined to find their playmaker, who bypassed two defenders and found their striker up front, poised to attack. He outmanoeuvred our sweeper and sent the ball into the back of the net to give Queens Park a 1–0 lead.

They celebrated in style, the goal-scorer Zakk
expressing his delight with a cartwheel and an impressive flip. Their fans chanted and cheered as the half-time whistle blew.

We walked over to Coach James with our heads down. We'd played so hard and expected to be in the lead, but instead we were trailing at the break … it was disheartening.

The parents ran over with drinks for their kids, but of course I had to get my own. Mama thought I was at my dance class, working on my pirouettes. I wouldn't want her here anyway: she'd have turned up with perfect hair and make-up, head to toe in dressy designer gear and high heels … she had no idea. I certainly didn't need any more stick, especially now.

Coach James called us in for his half-time talk. ‘In you come. On one knee.' He saw me give him a strange look. ‘Staying upright instead of slumping on the ground will keep you alert. Now, this is the worst I've seen you play all season. Too many back heels and flicks. No need to be fancy. There's not enough urgency in what we're doing. Dugald, we need you back in defence, swap 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 other
thing. 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?'

‘Of course, I'd love that,' I replied.

‘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.

‘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.

‘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.

‘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.

‘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 the air towards the upright corner of the net, beating our keeper, who was off his line. The ball hit the bar and then awkwardly dropped to the ground just a fraction off the goal line. Their substitute rushed in to finish it off, but Felix somehow managed to scoop the ball safely into his arms. How it didn't go in I'd never know. It was a gallant effort. I think we all had our hearts in our mouths.