I placed the football down on the penalty spot. Heart thumping, I took three strides back and then one to my left. One last glance at the goal and a deep breath. I knew what I had to do. All 9 takers prior to me had converted their spot-kicks. Score, and the shoot-out went to sudden death; miss, and we'd lost the county cup final. I began my run-up, knowing I planned to put the ball into the top-right corner of the goal, out of the keeper's reach.

I made contact with the ball and knew I'd struck it crisply. 'I've done it' was all I thought as the ball left my foot, 'this is going in'. But as I looked up, I saw the ball smash off the crossbar and career high over the goal into the stands behind. The other team streamed past me to celebrate with their keeper as I slunk down to my haunches and put my hands to my face. I recomposed myself after a good 10 seconds and made my way over to my team and coach.

"For christ's sake, why did you let him take one Terry" I could hear our coach, Mr Phillips, ask his assistant as I approached. "We only put him on because of the injury to Mick. Now he's cost us the cup."

It was true what he'd said, I probably wouldn't have even played if it wasn't for Mick's injury. Having made 2 subs already, Mick went down with a pulled hamstring in the 89th minute, and being the last sub on the bench, I was called on to take his place. The team saw out the game to penalties, but when selecting the takers only 4 had volunteered themselves. Needing a fifth, and seeing that none of my other teammates were going to step up, I had raised my hand.

"I'll take one, Mr Phillips, if nobody else wants to."

He shook his head and looked around desperately at the others: "Surely one of you lot will take one, we need someone who can strike a good ball". But nobody stepped forward.

"Let him take it", Mr Baker (Terry) cajoled Mr Phillips. "He's really not a bad player."

"Fine", Mr Phillips snapped back, "But I'd place any money that'll he miss."

And sure enough, I'd done just that. Winning the county cup would have landed a windfall of £1,000 for the school's P.E. department, a sum they desperately needed. All our equipment and kit was years old and needed an upgrade. Now I had cost them the chance to cover those costs, and they'd likely have to continue with their current, inadequate resources.

I walked back to the changing rooms about 20 yards back from my teammates. Not one of them spoke to me to offer words of condolence, but I suppose at least none of them admonished me. Clearly I was now the outcast of the group, even more so than I had originally been. Everyone changed in silence, disconsolate with the outcome of the match. Eager not to hang around, I changed quickly and made a swift exit.

As I walked down the corridor, I heard my name called from the office of Miss Snell, one of the school's P.E. teachers: "Toby, can you come in here for a minute, please?".

I walked into her office and took a seat opposite her desk.

"Sorry about today, and particularly Mr Phillips's behaviour. He had to win today or the school were going to fire him. This is the best boys team we've had in years, and any coach not winning the county cup with a group like we've got was always going to face the consequences."

I felt a pang of guilt now. Mr Phillips had always been a bit of a rubbish coach and teacher to me, but I didn't want to see a man lose his job.

"Mr Baker's now going to be in temporary charge of the boys' team at the school, and I will be coaching the girls for their tournament that's coming up. Now, given the result today there's even more pressure on the girls to win their county cup to secure funds for the school. So, we're looking to assemble the best possible team."

Whilst unsurprising as a concept, I was wondering why Miss Snell had chosen to talk to me about this...

"You're probably wondering why I'm speaking to you about this. Well, we have a proposition...you're going to play for the girls team in their county cup."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Surely she was pulling my leg.

"But I can't play for the girls team, I'm male" I protested.

"Sure, you're biologically male, but we can make you look like a pretty convincing girl I'm sure" she replied. "And you really do owe the school after your penalty miss today. You cost us £1,000."

"But, but, but..." I stammered, unable to find the right words.

"Look, I know this sounds unusual, and maybe a bit perturbed, but you really do owe us. Playing for the girls team will give you the chance to redeem yourself and the team will have a better chance of winning the £1,000 prize for the school. And nobody will even know it's you - we'll make you look so convincing that even your own mother won't recognise you. I want you to come to my house tomorrow night, 6pm, and we'll discuss more of what we're going to do. Is that ok?"

"I guess I don't have much of a choice, do I? I suppose I did let the school down today, and ought to try and do something to make it right."

"That's the spirit Toby! I'll see you tonight, 6pm sharp. Oh, my address is 1278A Shaftesbury Close, by the way."

I headed towards the door and left. Was I really going to be transformed into a girl by Miss Snell to play for the girls football team??? Well, I'd find out more at Miss Snell's house later that evening...