By Dave P
October 28 2004

As it's Half Term a chance to introduce the young 'un to the joys of being part of the travelling Spurs Army. (Had to get the missus' permission first with the 'It'll be a special treat for him' line. Why is she so cynical and telling me I only do it for my own benefit, as if I'd be that shallow?) Bolton away and as it's Half Term a chance to introduce the ten year old to the joys of being part of the travelling Spurs Army. (Had to get the missus' permission first with the 'It'll be a special treat for him' line - why is she so cynical and telling me I only do it for my own benefit - As if I'd be that shallow?)

Are they any good Dad? will we win Dad? Answer both of those with a no and yes respectively and then start trying to think of how to explain that Dad is not really a liar just an eternal optimist.

An uneventful drive up the Motorways and than cringe at having to pay a fiver just for the priveledge of parking at what looks an impressive stadium (Only time I been to Bolton before was to their old ground). Find the Beehive and introduce myself to a few of you. Nice meeting you all.

Anyway to the game. Any thoughts of this being sweet revenge for Saturday soon dispelled as Bolton took control of the game. We just didn't seem to be able to keep any possesion and what little we did have was wasted by poor passing and very little movement. Ziegler looking like a good prospect though. Then a Corner to Bolton and in it goes. WAs it poor defending, was it just one of those things, a close look at the replay (which they showed on their screen about ten times) then showed it was an OG off the head of King. Maybe keller got himself stranded a bit but can't complain as he produced useful saves later in a half which carried on as it had started. Ok, nothings gonna happen here, Santini will sort it at half time so lets go down for a pee. Just as I was giving it a shake our end of the ground erupted and my boy came running into the loo to find me and tell me we had scored. Saw the replays (and to be fair to Bolton they showed our ones about ten times as well) and enjoyed seeing Defoe doing what Defoe does best after picking up a ball that had deflected into his possession.

Second Half and we came out with what apppeared to be a real desire to build on Defoes equaliser. Crossed cleared by Gardner, Naybet shot deflected, kanoute onto woodwork. This is better but it was not to last. Bolton took control again so on the hour Kanoute was replaced by Keane. A raised eyebrow from myself as I was not sure this would be the solution.
Then Pedersen, Open goal in front of him, ball at his feet about 1 yard out put it over the bar Acimovic style. Oh how I laughed - but a nervous laughter born of the fact that we were not playing well. Sure enough a minuite later a shirt pull from Bunje resulted in a Penalty and JJ does not miss often.

15 minutes left and we look like we are going out. Brown comes on for the innefectual Davies and we pile forward in an attempt to rescue something. 5 minutes to go and cometh the hour cometh the hero!! as Bunjy volleys home from five yards after a rare decent corner from Keane. Kellor was than called on almost immediately and nearly fluffed it but saved it att the second attempt.

And so to extra time. Carrick in for the tiring Davis and early on a great sve from Okocha followed at the other end with a superb header from Brown. First time we had been in the lead and starting to look the more likey side to win it. Not that Bolton weren't creating chances at this stage themselves. Keller had to make three saves at this time to keep them at bay including a great full stretch save from a Hunt effort. Then came what should have lilled it and a mishit pass deflected off Keane into the path of Defoe (4-2). But Bolton would not let it die and a minute later Sir Les had put them straight back in it. 4-3 with 15 to go.

The second period of extra time was everything an english cup tie should be, end to end and chance after chance. Cometh the hour cometh the hero only this time it was Kellor who in all fairness had kept us in this game throughout. Some great saves. Cometh the hour cometh the villains and here I talk about Keane twice and Defoe. On the break one on one with the other in support waiting for the squared ball. Three chances to kill the game but they didn't. Then kellor save our Arses again Twice in the dying seconds that seemed to take forever.

A rip roaring performance (in extra time anyway) and tell the boy. See, I told you they were no good and we were going to win, Dad'll never lie to you son, honest. The three hour drive back seemed quite pleasant as well. Amazing what a win can do for you.