I arrived in the Harry about two thirty with one of my brothers and my two mates.
Locating Sunny in a packed ale house is one of life's easier tasks, as those who have met him will certify.
We had a pint and a brief chat and waited for LTW to appear, which he duly did around 3ish.
High fives all round and another pint as we hung out until half 3ish at which time LTW left for the ground and I followed him five minutes later.
My seat was in the lower centenary bang on the goal line at the Anny road end so I was in a perfect position for any potential ghost goals. The game was not an end-to-end affair but still a very absorbing contest. City were slightly better in the first half but the second half was ours and the match was there for the taking. We had an excellent couple of chances at the end. It's a shame Carrol's header was saved but credit to Hart who made a very good save.
When Balotelli was booked I said to no-one in particular "If I was into that spread betting malarkey I'd be straight on to a red card scenario for Mario". Cue the people around me looking in my direction and nodding of grinning heads when he was sent off shortly after.
I went back to the Harry after the game for a couple of pints and to meet up with my brother and one of my mates who had watched the game in the pub. My other mate had managed to buy a 49-quid main stand ticket for 75 nicker which is not too bad and he was made up. I had been prepared to give him my ticket but he refused saying "If the roles were reversed and we were living in England and we went back to Italy to watch my team I'd be the one using the ticket. She's my wife and I'm going to fuck her, not you." A very good analogy I thought.
LTW was unable to come to the harry after the game so our meeting was brief. However it was great to meet up. Putting faces to invisible forum names is always an interesting experience and this was no different. I suppose I'll just have to visit Israel, something I've always wanted to do, to ensure a longer meeting.
I've been to Anfield hundreds of times in my life and now I live away the experience is as rewarding as when I first started going in the early eighties. I suppose the child in all of us never really fully grows up.
I'm afraid I can't make drinkies in January so I hope to see you all real soon.
