Raith Rovers 0-1 Livingston

Saturday 10^th December 2011 – Raith Rovers FC 0-1 Livingston FC

Having suffered back-to-back league defeats, a trip to take on bottom of the league Raith Rovers offered and opportunity for the Lions to get back to winning ways.

Gary Bollan made three changes from the team that started at Firhill, welcoming back Maurice Ross, David Sinclair and Jason Talbot at the expense of Kenny Deuchar, Keaghan Jacobs and Cammy MacDonald. This meant a tactical shuffle with Marc McNulty leading the line himself ahead of a five-man midfield.

The first half won’t linger long in the memory of either set of fans as both teams battled away whilst ultimately cancelling each other out. McNulty and Sinclair both shot wide from distance after some good build up play before a low cross from Ross forced Rovers ‘keeper David McGurn to react quickly at his front-post.

Up the other end, McNeil was rarely tested and watched on as Jamie Walker fired high over the bar. Raith’s best chance of the half came from a Denis Prychynenko free kick. The on-loan Hearts midfielder looked to have curled his free kick wide but after nicking off the head of Kyle Jacobs, the ball spun over McNeil and crashed off the crossbar.

As the half drew to a close, Livi finished the stronger of the sides. In a sign of things to come, Craig Barr got on the end of Mark Fotheringham’s corner but could only head wide before McNulty’s low effort from the edge of the box was well saved by McGurn.

Half time seen the introduction of Kenny Deuchar who replaced McNulty, with the young striker appearing to have picked up a first half knock.

Straight from kick-off, the Lions looked to have stepped the game up a gear and were pressing forward in search of the opener. A high ball forward from Fotheringham reached Craig Barr at the back post but his header across goal just spun out of reach for the incoming Paul Watson. Moments later, some great work on the wing and a teasing cross from the ever impressive Bobby Barr found Liam fox rushing in but he could only shoot over under heavy pressure from Grant Murray and former Lion Allan Walker.

It looked to be only a matter of time before Livi took the lead and with 56 minutes on the clock, the deadlock was broken. Mark Fotheringham’s free-kick from the left nicked off Murray and straight into the path of Craig Barr and the no nonsense defender made no mistake in powering a header past McGurn.

It was a much deserved lead for the away side and it was so nearly doubled as another Bobby Barr cross teased the Rovers defence but Deuchar and Jacobs got in each others way with the latter just managing to get a shot away but McGurn saved well.

Jason Talbot was next to test the ‘keeper and after strolling forward from left back, he unleashed a powerful strike towards the top corner but McGurn was equal to it and palmed the ball to safety.

Raith did try to venture forward but the Livi defence coped brilliantly, blocking every shot and giving the front men no time on the ball. McNeil, who appeared to be the pantomime villain given the hostile reception from his old side’s supporters, rarely had a save to make but coped well as he came under late pressure from crosses into the box.

Bobby Barr had Livi’s last chance of the game with a breakaway from a Raith Rovers attack. A cross into the box was cleared by Sinclair and Barr raced forward with the ball. With only Willie Dyer in his way, Barr made light work of taking him on before shooting from 20 yards but McGurn, again, got down well to make the save.

Raith made one last desperate push forward in an attempt to snatch a late equaliser and as David Smith’s cross fell in the box, Iain Davidson couldn’t hit the target and fired wide of McNeil’s goal.

A brilliant win on the road for Livi who next face fellow promoted side Ayr United at home.

Partick Thistle 2-1 Livingston

Saturday 3^rd December 2011 – Partick Thistle FC 2-1 Livingston FC

Having fell to a first home defeat in the league in over a year and a half, the Lions hit the road to take on Partick Thistle at Firhill.

Gary Bollan was forced to make two changes to his starting line-up due to injury and suspension. Cammy MacDonald made his first league start of the season at left back in place of the injured Jason Talbot while captain Liam Fox came back into midfield for Rory Boulding.

The first twenty minutes seen the sides contest an evenly matched battle, both creating half chances in the hunt for the opening goal. Kyle Hutton long-range drive deflected wide and from the resultant corner, Paul Cairney found Craig Dargo but he shot straight at Liam Fox who was guarding the front post. Another corner then caused a good old stramash in the penalty area with Livi defenders diving to make blocks all over the place before Andy McNeil finally got a hold of Hutton’s weak shot.

Down the other end, Paul Watson’s header fell nicely for Kyle Jacobs but his shot was blocked on the line before he then turned provider with a great cross into the box but Kenny Deuchar couldn’t get over the ball and header over. Deuchar again went close with a header, this time from Mark Fotheringham’s cross but despite getting there before Thistle ‘keeper Scott Fox, he could only glance the ball wide.

Referee Alan Muir then denied Livingston what looked like a clear penalty. A sublime ball over the top from Bobby Barr sent Marc McNulty in behind the Partick back-line but as the young striker raced for the ball, he appeared to be tripped by Conrad Balatoni. As the ball trundled out, Muir signalled for a goal kick, much to the obvious disgust of McNulty.

Partick soon began to take a hold of the game and it wasn’t long before they went a goal ahead. Some neat passing play across the middle created some space for Stephen O’Donnell on the right and he fired a shot at goal that deflected off Paul Watson and looped over for a corner. From that corner, Cairney had two bites at getting the ball in the box and from the second attempt, he found Balatoni who volleyed home from 12 yards.

It was a goal that had been coming for the Glasgow side and they continued to push on, looking for a second goal. Some strong hold up play from Craig Dargo allowed Christie Elliot to break through but his low shot was easily saved by McNeil. Another Partick corner was to again cause Livi problems as the home side doubled their lead in comical fashion. Aaron Sinclair crossed from the corner and as it reached the danger area, the ball appeared to hang in the air slightly. This was enough for Kenny Deuchar, who was back defending the set piece, to miscue his header and send the ball past McNeil and into his own net.

It was a horrible moment for the big front man but he was to make amends just before the interval. Fotheringham’s long free kick wasn’t dealt with by Balatoni or Archibald and as the ball broke free, Deuchar was on hand to drive home and half the deficit. That was exactly the response Livi needed as the teams went up the tunnel for half time.

The small number of travelling away fans would have hoped that the Lions would start the second half brightly but it was Thistle who looked most likely to add to their tally. A high ball forward was excellently flicked into Cairney’s path by Dargo and his rocket of a shot flew just past the post. Cairney again posed a threat as he drove forward with the ball, skipping by two defenders but his shot had the same outcome as it whistled behind for a goal kick.

Livi did keep fighting on as they fought for an equaliser. A well worked passing move in the middle eventually found Keaghan Jacobs out wide and after beating his man, he teed up McNulty but his shot was straight at Fox. Bobby Barr then done well to feed in Deuchar but he didn’t make great contact with the ball as he volleyed goal wards and into Fox’s arms.

Bollan threw on top-scorer Iain Russell in an attempt to strengthen the Livi front-line but it was Partick who finished with the last chance of the match, a deflected Paul Paton effort that flew well wide of the post.

A second league defeat in a row for the Lions with a trip to basement boys Raith Rovers next on the cards.