MARTYN SAVES THE DAY

Martyn loved Saturdays, it was his favorite day of the week.   He especially loved finishing work at lunchtime.  That meant he could normally spend the day playing with his friends.

However, today was not a normal day, today was the day that Martyn had been waiting for, for a long, long time.

Martyn hurried home after work and met his friends just in front of the stables and they all walked up to the big field together, as they got closer they could see that quite a few people had already arrived and Martyn began to get nervous, after all, it was cup final day and all these people had arrived to see Martyn and his friends play football.

When they got there they could see the other team on the pitch already warming up, they looked good and Martyn got even more nervous.

Donny and Maisy, the twins, looked at each other and then at Martyn.  Martyn gave them a wink to calm them down but didn't let on at how scared he was; after all he was the one who had to play in goal.

All too soon the whistle blew for the start of the match.  Donny played really well and almost scored a goal in the first few minutes but the other team we’re too fast for him and the shot was saved.

Maisy managed to get the ball off their main striker just as he was about to shoot towards Martyns goal and everyone cheered. 

Maisy blushed, she was still quite shy despite playing quite a few times before.

At the end of the first half Martyns’ Marvels and the Donkey united were level with neither of them managing to score a goal.

After refreshments of carrots and lemonade everyone was ready to go out for the second half.

Reggie went out first followed by the twins, then Billy and then Martyn.

Donkey united were already there, warming up again, Martyn gave them a smile as he walked out but none of the other team smiled back so Martyn just carried on to the goal.

Martyn really had to work hard during the second part of the game, Donkey united really wanted to win this game but Martyns’ team hadn't come this far to give in without a fight, Martyn performed save after save, oh how the crowd cheered.

With just one minute to go Donkey uniteds’ biggest player ran into Maisy just as she was about to take her first ever shot at the goal.  The referee blew the loudest whistle anyone had ever heard and pointed to the ground.  Maisy stood in shock, she didn't know what to do but Martyn understood what needed to happen next, Martyn’s team had been given a penalty, if they scored now they would win the cup.

Martyn ran to the other end of the field and everyone started chanting “ Martyn, Martyn”.

Martyn put the ball on the spot and the referee blew his whistle again. 

Martyn kicked the ball as hard as he could and then closed his eyes, he couldn't bare to look. 

The crowd roared in excitement and all of Martyn’s team ran over to him and pulled his big donkey ears, Martyn giggled, “ooh that tickles”, he cried.

Martyn had scored the winning goal and Martyn’s Marvels had won the cup.

I love Saturdays, Martyn thought as he carried the cup home.

Everyone agreed that Martyn had truly saved the day.