Monday 28 November 2011

Livingston 0-3 Ross County

Saturday 26th November 2011 – Livingston FC 0-3 Ross County FC

It was back to league duties for the Lions after a clinical victory against Irvine Meadow in the Scottish Cup the week before. However, it was table-topping Ross County who were checking in at the Braidwood Motor Company Stadium on the back of seven straight league victories. In actual fact, the last league match County had failed to win was when the Lions earned a point at Victoria Park back in September.

Gary Bollan was able to name the same starting eleven for the third game in a row, although Jason Talbot just made it, having passed an early morning fitness test.

Ross County came racing out the traps and were hounding Andy McNeil’s goal from the word go. Ex-Livi captain Richie Brittain fired a free-kick just wide of the post from 35 yards shortly before forcing McNeil into a good save from another low, long range strike.

Brittain was again involved as the Staggies came even closer to breaking the deadlock. A deep cross from Michael Gardyne made it’s way to Brittain on the other side of the box and when he delivered the ball back into the middle, Iain Vigurs rose highest but headed wide from 6 yards despite being completely unmarked.

The Lions were really struggling to find their feet as County pressed for the opener. A corner from the right was met by Grant Munro but his header flew inches wide. Gardyne then sent a teasing ball across the face of the goal and with Colin McMenamin racing in, Paul Watson was at full stretch to intercept his shot.

Livi’s first attempt at goal came from a hopeful Rory Boulding effort. A headed clearance from Gary Miller fell nicely for Boulding but his low shot from distance was easily saved by Michael Fraser. Moments later, a Livi corner was whipped in by Mark Fotheringham but Craig Barr couldn’t get over the ball and his header flew high of the goal.

Jason Talbot’s high ball down the left then found Boulding who tussled with Scott Boyd and after just getting the better of the central defender, his dinked cross-come-shot had to be pushed over for a corner by Fraser.

Boyd himself had the last chance of the first-half, getting on the end of Brittain’s corner but he too headed over the bar as the referee signalled for the interval.

Livi started the second half brightly and were putting the County defence under a lot more pressure than in the previous 45. A Boulding cross seen two County defenders slip and miscue clearances, eventually seeing the ball run out for the corner as Livi pressed.

The game was then turned on its head as Boulding was shown a red card by referee Mike Tumilty. After being picked out well by Keaghan Jacobs, Boulding done well, holding off his marker to make a bit of space. As he looked to go forward, the ball ran a touch infront of him and as Paul Lawson attempted to make a block, Boulding was adjudged to have dived in recklessly and was given his marching orders. It was a harsh decision by Tumilty who appeared to be swayed by Lawson’s over the top reaction given that he was fine to continue playing moments later.

Despite being a man down, Livi initially continued to pile on the pressure, winning a number of corners in succession but failing to make them count.

The dominance of the extra man gradually began to take its toll, although County nearly took the lead thanks to a gift from McNeil. A clearance forward from Boyd sent McMenamin racing through and as the Livi number one came out to clear, he missed the ball completely, leaving McMenamin with a tap in. Despite the empty net though, heavy pressure from Kyle Jacobs meant he didn’t make great contact on the ball and as it rolled goal wards, Watson got back to hack it off the line.

That proved to only delay the onslaught that came the home sides way though. Some good work down the left from Miller seen him cross for Gardyne and the midfield man made no mistake, poking the ball into the top corner to give Ross County the lead.

A second was quick in coming too. As Kyle Jacobs tried to usher the ball out for a goal kick, Vigurs won it back and crossed for McMenamin to tap home and double the advantage. If that didn’t all but seal the game, a third goal just two minutes later certainly did. Vigurs one-two with Gardyne created a gap in the Livi backline and he fed the ball through to McMenamin to race clear and slide the ball past McNeil to ensure the three points were heading back to Dingwall.

Livi created one last chance in the hunt for a consolation goal with Bobby Barr and substitute Iain Russell linking well for Barr to rifle a shot goal wards but Fraser parried well to keep his clean sheet.

Boulding’s sending off proved to be a key factor in a disappointing day for the Lions as the unbeaten home record finally came to an end.

Wednesday 23 November 2011

Irvine Meadow XI 0-6 Livingston

Saturday 19th November 2011 – Irvine Meadow XI 0-6 Livingston FC

With confidence high after a fantastic victory against Hamilton just seven days earlier, the Lions turned their attentions to the Scottish Cup. The third round draw had thrown up a trip into the unknown for Gary Bollan’s team as they made the journey to take on junior side Irvine Meadow for the first time.

The same starting eleven from that Hamilton win took to the field knowing that ‘the Medda’ would be hoping to hit the headlines with a famous cup shock.

If there was ever a way to calm any nerves that may have been lingering, then opening the scoring inside five minutes would be up there with the best of them. Instant pressure from Livi seen them stroke the ball around the edge of the box and after Rory Boulding laid the ball back for Marc McNulty, the in-form youngster made no mistake, firing a low, right-foot shot into the bottom corner.

It was a disastrous start for the junior side but if anything, conceding the goal appeared to spark some energy into their play. A long free kick into the box from Kevin McDonald fell brilliantly for Richard Barr but he prodded the ball wide from six yards out. Midfielder David Hamilton was then presented with another good opportunity after a great cross from Mark McLennan but his header was well saved by Andy McNeill. Moments later, another hopeful ball forward from McLennan was flicked on by Michael Hughes, sending Barr clear through on goal but Kyle Jacobs managed to get across and halt his run.

Had the home side been able to make more of those chances, the game could have steered in a very different direction. However, Livi’s next attack seen them double their lead. Keaghan Jacobs’ pass to Boulding was dinked forward for McNulty and he again done the business with another low drive beating Michael Wardrope in goal.

It wasn’t long before McNulty capped his Scottish Cup debut with a hat trick either. After Mark Fotheringham broke up the play in the middle of the park, McNulty picked up the loose ball and drove forward, beating three players before hammering in his third of the day. Unfortunately in doing so, the young striker picked up a niggle and with the game looking safe, he was soon replaced by the fit again Iain Russell.

Before Russell had time to get warmed up and ready for action though, McNulty was involved in the move that lead to goal number four. Paul Watson’s pass forward was back heeled by McNulty into the path of Bobby Barr and he drove past Zander Ryan on the left wing before pulling the ball back to the edge of the box. Kenny Deuchar let the ball roll past him into the path of Boulding and after a neat turn to beat his defender, the ex-Bradford front man drilled the ball home for his third goal of the season.
The half-time break came at a good time for Irvine Meadow with Livi looking prolific infront of goal but as the teams emerged for the second half, the home side looked to have a bit more fight about them and straight away Hamilton tested McNeil with a long-range effort that the Livi number one saved well. Jason Talbot’s misplaced pass then sent Gary Fleming on a mazy run but his shot was straight at McNeil.

Much like the first-half though, not taking these chances proved decisive as the Lions stretched their lead. Some good hold up play from Deuchar brought Barr into the game and he pressed forward, slipping the ball in to Russell. Instinctively he rolled the ball across the face of the goal where Deuchar had made up the ground to tap in on the line.

Both teams then had decent efforts at goal from free kicks. First, Fotheringham curled a 25-yard effort just wide of the goal before McLennan drove his low and hard but straight into the hands of McNeil.

Iain Russell, who was making his return from injury, would have been desperate to get involved in the scoring and he nearly did after being fed in by Kyle Jacobs but his shot was saved by substitute ‘keeper Brian Hewitt.

With ninety minutes on the clock, Livi rounded off the scoring. A long ball forward from Liam Fox caused a bit of a stramash in the box and after Hewitt denied Russell, the ball broke to Bobby Barr who was left with a simple finish into the empty net.

It capped off a great day for Livi who carried out a very professional job on the junior outfit. Gary Bollan would have also been pleased with the substitute appearances from Fox, Russell and Scougall who were all returning from injury.

All in all, a great result to ensure passage into round four where first division rivals Ayr United await.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Livingston 1-0 Hamilton

Saturday 12th November 2011 – Livingston FC 1-0 Hamilton Academical FC

For the third time already this season, it was Hamilton providing the opposition as the Lions looked to put the disappointment of Falkirk’s late winner behind them and extend their unbeaten run at the Braidwood Motor Company Stadium.

Gary Bollan started with the team that kicked-off the second-half comeback in Grangemouth, meaning the three-pronged attack of Rory Boulding, Kenny Deuchar and Marc McNulty began upfront with Kyle Jacobs drifting back to the right hand side of defence.

For Boulding, it meant a rare start and he was involved right away as the Lions went close to taking an early lead. A brilliant ball over the top sent Bobby Barr racing down the wing and he pulled the ball back for Boulding to have a strike at goal. His effort was blocked by Mark McLaughlin and the ball broke to McNulty 10 yards out but he shot over the bar. Boulding then came close again after a pacy cross from Jason Talbot but he couldn’t get enough on the flick and the ball went wide.

Livi were dominating the opening stages and Bobby Barr really should have grabbed his second goal in as many games. A great through-ball from Mark Fotheringham allowed him to get in behind the Accies back-line and after ghosting past Simon Mensing, he rounded ‘keeper David Hutton but couldn’t find the net from a tight angle.

Before Livi’s next attack, Hamilton managed a couple of long-range efforts at goal but Andy McNeil dealt with both comfortably.

McNulty and Fotheringham both had shots from distance up the other end too, with McNulty forcing a good save from Hutton and Fotheringham firing over after creating a good shooting opportunity from a well-worked short corner.

Barr was proving to be a real handful for the Hamilton defence and after haring past them again; his cross into the box couldn’t find an amber shirt and McLaughlin cleared. Kyle Jacobs then seen his 20-yard effort whistle wide of the post shortly before a Dougie Imrie free-kick down the other end resulted in the same outcome.

Hamilton ended the half with another two hopeful shots but neither Kevin McBride or Gary Fraser could beat McNeil as the teams went up the tunnel for half time.

An injury to Keaghan Jacobs forced him off at half time and Stefan Scougall, who was returning from injury himself, replaced him. It was nearly a nightmare start from the young midfielder though as he was caught in possession up field, allowing Hamilton a chance to counter-attack. Dougie Imrie done the legwork, bursting up the park and playing the ball into Grant Anderson but even after evading the late challenge of Fotheringham, he couldn’t get enough on his flick and McNeil bravely dived at his feet to prevent the danger.

After soaking up a bit of early second-half pressure, the Lions took the lead thanks to some great awareness from both Fotheringham and Boulding. Bobby Barr played a ball over the top to Boulding but knowing he was in an offside position, he raised his hands to signal he wasn’t interfering with play and in doing so, allowed Fotheringham to chase the ball down into the corner and continue play. From there, ‘Fozzie’ beat his man and fired at goal but Mensing blocked, sending ball spinning into the path of Boulding, who was now onside and able to get involved. He got the ball under control and dinked a brilliant cross towards McNulty who swooped to head the ball into the bottom corner and put the home side ahead.

It was a well-deserved lead for Livi and one that was nearly doubled moments later as Jason Talbot strolled forward and hammered a shot at goal but he couldn’t hit the target.

The goal seemed to give Livi an air of confidence and it was one-way traffic for a while as the Lions began to dominate. Craig Barr was unlucky to see his header go wide after leaping well to meet Fotheringham’s free kick and fellow centre-half Paul Watson spurned a good chance at the back-post, dragging a shot wide when he really should have at least worked the ‘keeper.

Bobby Barr’s pace again allowed him to burst down the line and deliver into the box but the ball was cleared for a corner, with McNulty looking to pull the trigger. McNulty’s pass then sent Scougall one-on-one with Hutton but his low shot was too close to the ‘keeper and he saved well with his feet.

The Hamilton defenders will have had nightmares about Bobby Barr on Saturday night as yet another mazy run forward resulted in McNulty having a chance at goal but the impressive Hutton saved well again to deny the striker a second.

After being dealt a real sucker punch last week with Falkirk’s late winner, the Lions looked determined to ensure they hung on for the three points in this one. A string of crosses into the box were dealt with brilliantly by both the defence and midfield and as the ball sat up nicely for Martin Canning, he bent his shot high over the bar.

This proved to be the last chance for either team with the referee sounding for full-time and confirming an impressive home win for Livi. Another game without defeat at the Braidwood Motor Company Stadium and a victory that sent Bollan’s team into third place.

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Falkirk 4-3 Livingston

Saturday 5th November 2011 – Falkirk FC 4-3 Livingston FC

On the back of the first away win of the season the weekend prior, the Lions made the short trip to play Steven Pressley’s Falkirk side. The Falkirk Stadium doesn’t hold great memories for Livingston with the last game played between the two sides there proving to be the last in our SPL stay.

Gary Bollan was forced into making one change from the team that started against Queen of the South, with Jonathon Brown coming in for Maurice Ross who missed out with a hand injury.

After opening the scoring early on the week before, Marc McNulty was close to doing the same in this match. Mark Fotheringham slipped him the ball out wide and after skipping past Bairns captain Darren Dods, the youngster fired goal wards but Michael McGovern palmed the ball clear. Moments later, Bobby Barr drove down the right, dancing past Murray Wallace and picked out Kenny Deuchar with a low cross but he could only fire wide under pressure from two defenders.

It was a bright start from Livi, who commanded the game in a fast-paced opening to the match. Left back Jason Talbot almost broke the deadlock after being slipped in by Fotheringham but his lunging effort was blocked by McGovern who had raced from his line.

As so often tends to happen in football, if you don’t take your chances, it can come back to haunt you and that’s exactly what happened as Livi appeared to all but collapse for the remainder of the first half.

After some neat build up play, Kallum Higginbotham dinked the ball into the area and Falkirk striker Farid Alagui couldn’t believe his luck as Paul Watson and Andy McNeil both seemed to leave the ball for each other, allowing the Moroccan to nick between them and lob the ball into the unguarded net.

It was a horrible moment for both Watson and McNeil and only minutes later, it got worse. A poor delivery from a corner wasn’t dealt with by the Livi defence and as the ball rolled free in the 18 yard box, defender Murray Wallace lashed a shot into the net despite the best efforts of Brown on the line.

If the promising start hadn’t already been forgotten about, it certainly would have been with Falkirk’s next attack. Stewart Murdoch’s clearance sent David Weatherston down the left wing and as he clipped the ball into the box, looking for Higginbotham, Jonathon Brown slid in trying to intercept but could only look on in horror as he sent the ball low into the bottom corner.

As the teams went up the tunnel for half time, it looked like game, set and match to Falkirk…funny old game football, eh?

As the teams emerged for the second half, it was clear that Gary Bollan wasn’t going to sit back and accept defeat. Striker Rory Boulding came on off the bench for Brown and joined McNulty and Deuchar in a three-pronged frontline.

Instantly, Boulding looked to be causing the Falkirk defence problems and he was involved as the Lions pulled a goal back. A long ball forward from Talbot should have resulted in an easy clearance for Murdoch but Boulding caught him in possession and the ball rolled into the path of Bobby Barr. Barr then ran at the backline, jinking past three players before firing a shot low into the bottom left-hand corner. It was a huge lift for both the players and the fans and all of a sudden, Livingston looked to have Falkirk on the back-foot.

Only 6 minutes later, a second Livi goal really turned the game on it’s head. Kenny Deuchar headed Blair Alston’s ball out of the box and straight to Bobby Barr. He turned and played the ball into Keaghan Jacobs path, putting him through one-on-one with the last defender. After checking inside Stephen Kingsley, Jacobs steadied himself before bulleting a 25-yard effort beyond McGovern and into the net.

At this point, a remarkable comeback really did seem possible – enter Mark Fotheringham. After winning a foul 25 yards from goal, Fotheringham stepped up to take the free-kick and sent the ball bending over the wall and into the top corner of McGovern’s net. It was a fantastic strike to equal a fantastic moment for the players and fans alike.

The away support couldn’t believe what was happening and they very easily could have been celebrating a fourth. Fotheringham whipped in a corner and after a flick on from Boulding, Watson headed the ball just over the bar from 6 yards out. Then, after winning possession in his own half, Barr went on yet another mazy run, ghosting past opponents like they weren’t there before feeding in Deuchar but his strike hit the side netting.

The next twist in an utterly fascinating game dealt a horrible blow for the Lions. McGovern’s goal kick wasn’t dealt with and Higginbotham was allowed to play in Weatherston and he made no mistake, drilling low across McNeil to regain Falkirk’s lead with only five minutes to play. It was a heartbreaking moment for Livi, having dug so deep to get back into the game. Boulding had a late half chance to square the game but an excellent tackle from Rhys Bennett prevented him from getting shot away.

Only the second defeat of the league season for Livi but a second half performance to be proud of.

Friday 4 November 2011

Queen of the South 0-2 Livingston

Saturday 22nd October 2011 – Queen of the South FC 0-2 Livingston FC

After securing a hard-earned point at home to Morton the week previous, Gary Bollan would have been desperate to get all three points from a trip to Palmerston. History wasn’t on his side though, with Livingston not having won in Dumfries since a 7-0 Scottish Cup victory back in January 2000.

With the team having failed to score from open play in the previous three games, Bollan opted to shuffle the pack a bit. Kenny Deuchar came in to partner Marc McNulty upfront at the expense of top-scorer Iain Russell and both Keaghan and Kyle Jacobs came into the midfield in place of the injured pairing of David Sinclair and Stefan Scougall.

Only 6 minutes on the clock and this shuffle looked to be working wonders. A Queens goal kick was won in the air by Kyle Jacobs and his header found McNulty 40 yards from goal. The young striker got the ball under control and drove forward before firing a shot from 20 yards which Queens ‘keeper Lee Robinson could only palm off the post and into the net. It was a dream start for Livi with the team still on the hunt for their first away league win of the season.

With an early goal under their belt, Livi looked very settled and began passing the ball about well, despite the poor conditions. However, the next chance of the match came from the home side. A cross into the box was headed clear by Kyle Jacobs, only as far as veteran winger Allan Johnston who collected the ball and curled a shot at goal that just went the wrong side of the post.

Some heavy pressure and nice one-touch play seen the Lions create a shooting opportunity but Mark Fotheringham’s shot was easily saved by Robinson

Livi then had a penalty shout denied by referee Brian Winter. Some good play from Keaghan Jacobs seen him find Barr out wide and his cross looked to have found Deuchar at the back-post but as the big striker went up for the header, he was bundled over by defender Mark Campbell. The Livi appeals were led by Deuchar himself but Winter was adamant and no penalty was awarded.

Soon after, ex-Livi midfielder Scott McLaughlin was should have levelled the match. Kevin Smith played Alan Reid down the wing and his cross was headed into McLaughlin’s path by Tom Brighton but he scuffed his volley and Craig Barr cleared the ball to safety.

Before half-time, Livi were beginning to enjoy a fair bit of pressure and McNulty was involved twice as the Lions came close to doubling the lead. Showing some fast footwork, he managed to wriggle past 3 Queens defenders but Deuchar snatched at that shot as the ball ran loose. Moments later, a nice bit of interplay between Barr and Talbot seen the latter play in McNulty but his left-footed shot was straight at Robinson.

The second-half begun in much the same manner with Livingston still looking for goal number two. A Bobby Barr cross into the box was so nearly met by the out-stretched boot of Deuchar but he couldn’t get there quick enough and the ball rolled clear. Another cross from Barr was met with the same outcome but this time it was Kyle Jacobs who couldn’t get the touch needed to knock the ball in.

Barr by this point was becoming a real nuisance for the Queens back-line and after cutting inside from the wing, he slipped McNulty in this time, but his shot went high over the bar. Robinson then denied McNulty his second goal of the game with a brilliant save after Keaghan Jacobs had played him in.

In a rare attack, Queens were gifted a brilliant opportunity to square the game. As Kevin Smith drove into the box, he was tracked by Bobby Barr and as the ball looked to be heading out for a goal kick, Barr appeared to shove Smith, sending him tumbling to the ground - winning his side a penalty. Smith picked himself up and dusted himself down before rifling the penalty straight down the middle. However, as McNeill dived to his right, his trailing legs blocked the ball and it ricocheted away, denying Queens an equaliser.

With Livi having already been dominating before the penalty, the save seemed to give them an extra lift and it wasn’t long before the three points were sealed. Fotheringham picked the ball up deep inside his own half and drove forward, unchallenged, before passing wide to McNulty. The youngster only needed one touch as he drove the ball back across goal and as McGuffie and Robinson both tried to clear, the ball fell perfectly for Fotheringham who smashed the ball into the net and grabbed his first goal for the club.

It was a goal that looked to have been coming for a while and it seemed to end any fight that Queens had left in them. They did have one last effort with McLaughlin driving a low shot goal wards but McNeill got down excellently to tip the ball round the post.

Even late on, Livi were still looking dangerous going forward and McNulty fired a brilliant shot just wide after some good work from Barr. Substitute Iain Russell, who replaced McNulty, done well to find Keaghan Jacobs and his lay-off sat nicely for Fotheringham but he lashed his effort over the bar. It was to be the final chance of the game as the referee blew for full-time and confirmed a first away win of the season for the Lions.