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What a journey we all had, leaving WHL in the minibus at 1pm we set off with a true feeling that tonight would be the night and Leeds would be put firmly in their place.

Our trip along the motorway suddenly started to slow right down as the weather deteriated with heavy snow and it soon became apparent we would struggle to reach Ellend Road in time for the KO at 7:45, we struggled on still in high spirits more concerned that the game would at least go ahead even if we arrived after the start. We finally arrived at 7:40 and just got to our seats as the teams kicked off.


The Spurs supporters were in great voice last night and clearly lifted the players urging them on at every opportunity with a range of “Tottenham Cup Songs” I swear Chas n’ Dave was in the crowd last night leading the singing with songs like “Spurs are on their way to Wembley” A real FA Cup atmosphere was in evidence and it was a great reminder of many happy memories of cup-ties gone by, even some Leeds fans applauded us at the end for our never failing vocal support.

Direct from the kick off we were straight at the Leeds defence determined to put the memories of the first game out of our minds, and Jermain Defoe was unlucky not to open the scoring in the first minute, Sebastian Bassong also came close to registering his first goal since the opening day when he somehow volleyed the ball over the crossbar from a corner.

We were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after half an hour when JD was clearly brought down from behind but sadly the referee was nowhere to be seen and  play carried on.

JD seemed to be on the end of most of our attacks and should have to the game out of sight on numerous occasions but could not force the issue and break the deadlock until about eight minutes before halftime when his volley hit the top corner of the net after some brave work from the Leeds keeper.

Leeds kept themselves in this game and attacked our goal at every opportunity and a real cup tie was unfolding reminding the Tottenham Faithfull why we spent all day travelling in atrocious weather conditions, the magic of the FA Cup was keeping us warm.

A lot of us started getting jittery as we approached half time and Leeds came forward and duly equaled after Heurelho Gomes fine parry from Jermaine Beckford’s shot, Luciano Becchio latched on to the ball and found the net.

HT 1-1

The players emerged for the second half and we quickly upped the anti and it was pretty clear that Leeds could not live with the pace of Spurs and we continually pushed forward looking to add to our tally.

It was pretty much an onslaught on the home goal with David Bentley now relishing in his new found confidence raiding at every chance. DB gave us a glimpse of his full CV last night with some very intelligent runs, close control and ball skills. Although David lacks the pace of Arron Lennon he is very capable of delivering pin point crosses and is taking his run in the team for all to see. Very clearly the Man of The Match, which might sound a bit harsh on hat trick hero JD but this game was always more than who scored the goals.

The second goal came from a DB low cross that was whipped in to the box and JD and he duly dispatched the ball into the net from six yards.

Another fine performance from Gareth Bale raiding forward at every chance turning defenders and sending in a variety of crosses to trouble the Leeds defenders, very good link play with Niko Krancjar.

Niko Krancjar returned to the side and put in a full energetic shift, prodding at every opportunity showing his skill and ability to find space cutting across the park and back and forth box to box.

Peter Crouch did all that was asked of him holding up play well and laying off balls for JD to latch onto, somehow failing to get his name on the score sheet in the second half when a low cross came over from NK he managed to send the ball wide of the post.

The pairing of Michael Dawson and Sebastian Bassong was resumed at the heart of our defence and once again this partnership looked at ease for most of the game. MD was unlucky with a fine header on sixty minutes only to bring out a fine save from the Leeds keeper Ankergren who tipped it over the bar.

Tom Huddelstone played the holding role in midfield and gave a fine display never under any real threat and still managed to dispatch a good array of long and short passes.

Jermaine Jenas was a bit of a mystery and it seemed that he was content to ball watch for most of the game, it’s a shame he has not taken advantage of the current situation as have Bentley and Bale. Last night he was merely a passenger and a lot of travelling supporters were left scratching their heads as to what his role in the team was last night. Clearly Arry sees something in training that most of us on the terraces don’t during a match, it surely can’t be the massive hole he leaves when he goes walk about encouraging Leeds to move forward and expose our defence as he did as substitute against Birmingham on Saturday.

As the game drew to a close Leeds tired and Spurs fitness and class proved too much for them to cope with, cruelly exposed in time added on JD picked up the ball just in the Leeds half and ran towards the goal drawing the keeper out he rounded him easily and slotted the ball home to make the final result 1-3 and send us into the fifth round and an away tie at Bolton on St. Valentines day. Another very long day for the travelling supporters awaits but with the magic of the FA Cup and a sniff of Wembley in the air who cares.