Joe loved football.

He played it with his friends at school, in the park with his dad on weekends on.

Sometimes he even played it with his little sister, Bella, in their back garden.

She usually missed the ball when she tried to kick it, but it was better than nothing.

I wish I could be on the school team, Joe told his friend Finn.

But maybe because he was small for his age, he never got chosen.

Then, one day at break time, when Joe was playing football with his friends, Mr Burton, the football coach, came over.

How would you like to play for the school team this weekend?

Asked Mr Burton.

Joe felt like he was going to burst.

I'd love it, he said.

Joe felt so excited that he couldn't wait to tell Mom and dad.

But there was a problem.

I'm so pleased for you, said Mom.

But, oh, dear, I'm not sure you can play this weekend.

You see, Dad and I are away, and you and Bella are going to stay with Grand Grand lived close by.

She often looked after Joe and Bella when mom and dad were busy, but I've got to, said Joe.

It's my big chance.

Grand had made plans to take them for a long walk with her dog, Selby, on Saturday morning.

But when she heard, she said she would take Joe to the football match instead.

Of course, I'll have to bring Bella and Selby, too.

Joe wasn't sure about this.

Bella could be such a nuisance.

You never could be sure what she might do.

On Saturday morning, Joe found it hard to eat breakfast.

He was so nervous he gave some of his toast to Selby.

When Grand wasn't looking, the football pitch was in the park.

There were lots of kids getting ready and lots of parents standing at the side toe watch.

Some of them had dogs.

The dog sparked it.

Selby on.

Silbey barked back grand, and Bella waved at Joe as he ran onto the field.

Good luck, they shouted.

Joe was pleased to see that Grand was keeping tight hold of Selby on Bella.

Selby was pulling hard on her lead on Bella was jumping up and down.

Poor grand look close to being pulled into the whistle, blew on the match began.

Joe ran up the field with the ball.

He was about to pass it.

When a big boy from the other team crushed into him.

He was almost twice as biggest Joe.

Well, the breath was knocked out of Joe and the ball went off the pitch.

No, Joe hope the referee would show the boy a yellow card, but the referee didn't seem to have noticed.

Maybe there had been too many players in the way.

After that, whenever the referee wasn't looking in their direction, the big boy would give Joe a shove.

It made it really difficult for Joe to play well.

The next time the ball came towards them, the big boy stuck out his foot and tripped Joe up.

Hey!

Yelled Finn as Joe lay on the ground.

Did you see that?

But the referee said that it had been an accident.

Selby and Bella had seen Selby tugged on her lead and barked at the referee.

Please control that dog, the referee told Grand or I will ask you to leave.

Grand was trying so hard to hold Selby that she let go of Bela's hand.

Bella ran onto the pitch on up to the boy who would trip.

Jo, don't you dare trip up my brother, she told him.

I saw you push him, too.

Joe was really embarrassed.

But to his surprise, most of the parents and players were on Bella's side.

Some of them began to cheer.

She's quite right.

They said that big boys, a bully.

It's disgraceful.

Grand grabbed hold of Bella for the rest of the match.

The bigger boy didn't dare touch Joe on.

After 15 minutes, Joe scored a goal.

Yeah, can I always come and what you play football?

Asked Bella at the end of the game on, Joe said she could mhm.