Across the hall, the home dressing room of Hastings Coastal Academy was a world apart. The heavy bass of a popular dance track thumping through a portable speaker filled the room. Players were laughing, passing around orange slices and energy gels.
Tom Bradley, the captain, sat in the corner, his armband already back on his biceps. He was talking quietly with Alex Morgan, the two of them reviewing a defensive play from the first half, but even they looked relaxed. They had the lead. They had the momentum.
Marcus Price was leaning against a locker, scrolling through his phone. A few of his friends had already sent clips of his "penalty" to his social media.
"Brilliant penalty, mate," one text read. "Proper striker's finish. You had the keeper diving at shadows."
Marcus smiled to himself and pocketed the phone. He felt untouchable.
