When i heard the draw for the Europa League Play - Off round i was immediately delighted to learn that Spurs had been drawn to face Hearts, with the first leg at Tynecastle. It's almost a home game for me so it was a case of getting a ticket at any cost.
As it went, Spurs were given a paltry allocation and those were quickly sold out to Season Ticket holders, and the initial tickets in the Hearts areas sold out within an hour or so of going on sale.
It was while at work on the Monday in the week before the game that i suddenly had a brainwave, an expensive one, but it worked out well, and it turned out to be a brilliant night.
What i decided was to book hospitality, the minimum level of course. It was £65.00 plus vat, taking the cost up to £78.00, but for that we got a Programme, teamsheet, a decent meal and good seats in the Main Stand, as well as access to a decently priced bar in The Willie Bauld Suite. So the wife, myself and side - kick Willie were doing Hospitality at a Spurs game. Another half dozen Scotspur mates also booked it up so a decent night was promised.
Hearts Fans
Spurs Team
Teams prior to kick off
Spurs fans
Gomes and Willie
My pals Mark, left, and Willie with Seb Bassong
As ever, we left the house later than planned, and eventually arrived at Tynecastle just after 6pm, 20 minutes later than the advertised time for the hospitality suites. Parking around the ground isn't great but thankfully our package included parking within the Hearts car park. Needless to say my modest car looked a little odd next to the fancy cars that some of the Hearts officials and players had parked!
We got into the smart, but already crowded Willie Bauld suite (Hearts had clearly seen the pound signs and allowed many more than normal into the suite), nevertheless it was a nice way to warm up for a football game, and soon Steve, Stewart, Ross and the other Spurs lads we go to games with joined us for a couple of beers and some grub.
With betting facilities in the suite, it would be rude not to, and a wee bet was struck on Spurs to win by at least 3 goals and while i had Niko down for first scorer, the luckier Willie put his money on Rafa to net the first.
Onto the game, and apart from one supporting pillar to our left, we had a cracking view of the action as Spurs set about the home side early on. There was a good number of other Spurs fans around us so when Rafa opened the scoring early on, much to Willie's delight we instinctively jumped up, and there was no hassle.
Soon it was 2-0 with Defoe finishing a smart move. Jake Livermore made it 3-0 after 30 minutes and that was the end of the scoring till half time.
At half time it was back into the suite for a Steak Pie and some Sandwiches.
The second half began with a Hearts rally, where they forced a few corners but never really looked like scoring. On 63 minutes Bale made it 4-0 and Lennon made it 5-0 with 12 minutes to go after a brilliant quick break.
All in all a great night, a wee win from the bookies and a big win for Spurs.
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