Ayr United 3-1 Livingston

Saturday 25^th February 2012 – Ayr United FC 3-1 Livingston FC

Having recorded an emphatic 4-0 victory in his first match in charge, John Hughes took to the road as the Lions made the trip to Somerset Park. Having held us to a 0-0 draw there earlier in the season then dumped us out of the Scottish Cup in January, Ayr have proved to be somewhat of a bogey team so far this term.

Hughes was forced into making one change to his starting line-up with Dean Cummings starting in midfield in place of the injured Stefan Scougall. Youngster Jack Beaumont took Cummings place on the bench alongside Rory Boulding who replaced Dylan Easton.

Last weeks win was clearly still in the mind of the Lions as they raced out the traps, dominating the early stages of the match. Bobby Barr was first to test experienced ‘keeper Kevin Cuthbert but his stinging shot from the right wing was easily palmed wide. However, from the resultant corner, Dean Cummings fired Livi into the lead. Jason Talbot played a short corner to Keaghan Jacobs and he picked out Barr on the edge of the box. Barr drilled a low shot goal wards and Cummings was on hand to stab the ball beyond Cuthbert and into the net.

It was a brilliant start from Livi and the lead was nearly doubled soon after. Liam Fox and Keaghan Jacobs linked well in the middle of the park with the latter playing the ball in behind the Ayr defence for Barr to run on to but after disposing of his man, he shot straight at Cuthbert who turned the ball behind for a corner. Jacobs was involved again as the McNulty this time went close to finding the net. Cuthbert rolled the ball out to Adam Dodd but Jacobs was quick to react and nicked the ball from the defender and squared it to McNulty but as he pulled the trigger, Eddie Malone slid in and made the block.

Paul Watson then galloped forward after making an interception on the halfway line but he couldn’t get enough power on his shot and it trickled through to Cuthbert. Generating power wasn’t a problem for Jacobs though as shortly after, he bulleted a shot at goal from Barr’s lay-off but Cuthbert pulled off a brilliant save, getting fingertips on the ball to tip it over.

As seems to have been the case on a number of occasions this season though, not taking chances came back to haunt Livi as Ayr grabbed themselves an equaliser. Michael McGowan’s corner from the right fell fortuitously to Andy Geggan and the ex-Livi youngster made no mistake, thumping the ball past the helpless McNeill.

This goal gave Ayr a bit of confidence about their game and they began to put more pressure on the Livi defence. Mark Roberts picked out McGowan at the back post and despite having acres of space, the midfielder snatched at his shot and pulled it wide. Roberts himself then came close, latching on to Keigan Parker’s cross to fire at goal but McNeill, at full stretch, pushed the ball wide.

Into the second-half and the first chance fell to Livi. Ross Docherty did well down the right before finding Bobby Barr who slipped Kyle Jacobs through on goal but despite beating the ‘keeper, he could only roll the ball wide of the post.

Ayr pushed on, looking to take the lead and they didn’t have long to wait. Craig Barr had done well to block a shot and concede a corner but from the resultant kick, McGowan found the head of Eddie Malone and despite his first attempt being blocked by Paul Watson, he followed up the rebound and knocked the ball over the line to put Ayr ahead. The Livi players rushed to the officials claiming a hand had been used but referee Craig Thomson confirmed the goal after discussions with his linesman.

The home fans had barely finished celebrating before Ayr made it three. The Livi defence were caught sleeping as Dodd took a short corner and whipped the ball to the back-post where Geggan rose highest to nod the ball in and notch his second goal of the game. It was a real disastrous few minutes for Livi and Geggan went close to claiming a hat trick when he drove forward and fired a shot away but Craig Barr done enough to deflect the ball wide.

The Lions didn’t give up though and continued to press forward hoping to find a route back into the game. Dean Cummings glanced a header into Barr’s path and he drilled a low shot forward but Cuthbert got down well to turn the ball round the post. Kyle Jacobs then won possession in midfield and linked up well with McNulty but when he finally made space for a shot, he could only drag his effort wide.

With Livi pushing forward looking to claw a goal back, the last chance of the match fell to Ayr but after McGowan fed the ball through to Roberts, the veteran striker could only shoot straight at McNeill.

Free match highlights, courtesy of LIVItv, available here - http://www.livingstonfc.co.uk/livitv.php

Livingston 4-0 Raith Rovers

Saturday 18^th February 2012 – Livingston FC 4-0 Raith Rovers FC

So after two weeks of rumours doing the rounds and supporters guessing who would finally take charge of the Lions following Gary Bollan’s departure, John Hughes took to the Almondvale dug-out for the first-time since his Falkirk side came here and took all three points back in January 2006.

With Brian Welsh having masterminded a comfortable 3-1 win against Partick Thistle before leaving for America, Hughes went for the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach, opting to stick with the exact same 16 as the previous week.

The opening 15 minutes served up a relatively even match with both teams creating chances. Marc McNulty came close from a Bobby Barr corner but David McGurn saved his header with ease. Joe Hamill’s corner down the other end found Iain Davidson but neither him nor Grant Murray could get a clean connection on the ball before Stefan Scougall nicked in to clear. Scougall’s misplaced pass then allowed Hamill to slip the ball into the path of Damian Casalinuovo but Andy McNeill raced from his line to halt the opportunity.

With 17 minutes on the clock, Livi’s next chance at goal was to lead to the opener. Bobby Barr stole possession from Murray in the middle of the park and after playing a one-two with Scougall, he found himself through on goal. His low shot was well saved by McGurn but the ball landed perfectly for Kyle Jacobs on the edge of the area and he made no mistake in firing the ball home. It was a second goal in as many games for Jacobs who appears to relishing his return to the middle of the park.

This seemed to calm the Lions down as they began to take a real foothold on the game. McNulty collected a loose pass from Hamill and drove at the Raith back-line before slipping the ball into Kyle Jacobs but this time the midfielder dragged his shot wide of the goal from a tight angle.

Kyle’s brother Keaghan then watched a shot of his own fly over the bar before McNulty really should have doubled the home sides advantage. An excellent piece of passing play saw the Lions move from front to back and Jason Talbot delivered a brilliant cross which landed at the feet of McNulty but after beating his man, he blazed his shot high of the goal from 10 yards out.

The second-half started with a rare Raith chance as a John Baird header flew just wide after he got on the end of a free kick. However, with only 3 second-half minutes played, the Lions made it two. Some excellent close control from Keaghan Jacobs allowed him to evade three Raith challenges before playing the ball inside to Scougall who drove forward with the ball. With the Raith defence being drawn to the ball, Marc McNulty peeled wide and when Scougall laid the ball to him just outside the box, he made no mistake in dragging it past his man and firing across McGurn and into the net.

That goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Raith and the Livi attacks became more frequent as the game went on. Bobby Barr done well to win the ball in the corner and he laid the ball for Keaghan Jacobs who crashed a shot off the bar. The rebound did fall to Kyle Jacobs but McGurn and Williamson combined to block his frantic attempts to poke the ball over the line. McNulty and Barr then combined to set-up Keaghan but McGurn made a great save at his feet to prevent a third.

You could argue it was more a case of prolonging than preventing as Livi did eventually make it three – and all from a Raith corner. The ball into the box was headed clear by Kyle and collected by Keaghan who played a brilliant one-two down the wing with Barr. Barr continued his run and latched onto another pass from Keaghan before firing the ball across goal for McNulty to tap in and claim his second of the game. It was a fine example of counter-attacking football and one that more than merited the goal that completed the move.

Kyle had another shot saved by McGurn before a fourth goal completed the route. Kyle and Keaghan linked up in the middle of the park again with the latter finding McNulty on the edge of the box and as he took the ball past defender Iain Davidson, he was sent tumbling to the deck. The referee pointed to the spot and sent Davidson packing for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. Of course with two goals to his name already, up stepped McNulty to send the ‘keeper the wrong way and claim the match ball. In doing so, McNulty also became the first player in Livingston history to score two hat tricks in one season following his first senior treble earlier in the season against Irvine Meadow.

With the outcome beyond doubt, McNulty was substituted for Iain Russell and straight away ‘Beanie’ was close to grabbing his first goal since October. Bobby Barr gathered a poor kick-out from McGurn and slid the ball inside to Russell but he rolled his shot just wide of the post. Barr himself had the final shot of the game, cutting inside from the right wing but his shot was blocked by the head of Laurie Ellis.

An emphatic win for Hughes on his first game in charge and the first time this season that the Lions have secured back-to-back home wins.

Livingston 3-1 Partick Thistle

Saturday 11^th February 2012 – Livingston FC 3-1 Partick Thistle FC

The ‘free weekend’ that we allegedly had after the 3-0 loss up in Dingwall turned out to be busier than a normal match day. With Gary Bollan and Scott Paterson being relieved of their duties, Brian Welsh was handed the reigns for the visit of Partick Thistle.

A last gasp Kyle Jacobs strike was enough to seal the three points the last time Thistle came calling and Welsh set out his stall in attempt to complete the double over the Glasgow side here at the Braidwood Motor Company Stadium. Bobby Barr and Marc McNulty were restored to the starting line-up along with Ross Docherty, who’s only other start this season was in that 2-1 win last time round. This meant that Iain Russell dropped to the bench, Rory Boulding took a seat in the stand and of course Maurice Ross had since left the club.

The opening stages saw both sides go close in what was a very even period of play. Marc McNulty forced ‘keeper Scott Fox into miskicking a pass-back but luckily for the Jags, Scott Robertson made a block before Liam Fox could capitalise on the error. Down the other end, Kyle Jacobs slack pass gifted Chris Erskine possession and he rifled a shot goal wards, which clipped the top of the bar with McNeil beaten. Erskine came close again moments later as he jinked between Craig Barr and Liam Fox before firing a shot away but Paul Watson made the block before getting the ball clear.

Half chances went begging from both teams before Livingston did take the lead. Bobby Barr tracked back and dispossessed Stuart Bannigan in the Livi penalty box before driving forward and switching the play to Keaghan Jacobs. Jacobs beat his man before returning the ball to Barr who slipped in Stefan Scougall to shoot at goal and when Fox could only parry his effort, Marc McNulty was on hand to roll the ball home from a tight angle. With only six minutes remaining until the interval, it was a great time for the Lions to grab a goal and one that was enjoyed by the all players as they all rushed to celebrate with McNulty.

Into the second-half and anyone who’d got stuck in the pie queue for their half-time refreshments would have missed the home side doubling the lead. Bobby Barr’s corner from the left was met by Paul Watson who rose highest to head the ball beyond Fox and claim his first goal of the season. He did pick up a booking for his celebration though, lifting his top to reveal a thank you message aimed at Bollan and Paterson.

Hopefully anyone who did miss the second goal had managed to get back to his or her seat shortly after as it was only 5 minutes later when Livi grabbed goal number three. Ross Docherty’s headed clearance was met by Scougall who nodded the ball wide to Bobby Barr. The winger used his skill and pace to break down the right wing before squaring the ball to Kyle Jacobs who stroked a fine 25-yard effort in off the post. It was another super strike from Jacobs who, as previously mentioned, put Thistle to the sword with a cracking goal earlier in the season too.

With confidence high and the game all but sealed, the Lions were able to relax and play some flowing football. A clearance from Paul Watson was picked up by Barr who played a brilliant one-two with Scougall and found himself beyond the Thistle back-line and one-on-one with Fox but he could only shoot straight at the ‘keeper when you’d have put money on him to make it four. He did collect the rebound before playing in Kyle Jacobs but his shot trundled wide of the goal.

Kyle and Keaghan then linked up in the middle of the park with the latter slipping an excellent pass through to Barr but Fox was again equal to his effort and parried the thunderbolt out for corner.

As the game neared an end, the Lions could be accused of turning off slightly and this allowed Thistle a couple of late chances. Craig Barr misjudged Fox’s high kick, allowing Kris Doolan to get in behind the defence but when he squared to Christie Elliot, the striker wasn’t quick enough to react and Paul Watson was able to get make the block before Elliot got a shot away.

Bobby Barr had another chance to make it four as he drove forward with the ball, leaving three Partick defenders trailing behind him but it just wasn’t to be his day for getting a goal as Fox made the save again.

That chance actually lead to Thistle going up the park and nicking a late consolation goal. After Barr’s shot was cleared, the ball was eventually worked out wide and when a deep cross was headed back across goal by Doolan, Paul Cairney was on hand to drill a low shot past McNeil.

The Livi defence would have been disappointed to concede a goal so late after such a solid performance throughout the game but nothing could be taken away from the side as they closed out a fantastic victory and celebrated a first win of 2012.

Match highlights available courtesy of LIVItv - http://www.livingstonfc.co.uk/livitv.php

Ross County 3-0 Livingston

Saturday 28^th January 2012 – Ross County FC 3-0 Livingston FC

On the back of winning our first point of 2012 against Queen of the South, the long trip North to take on league leaders Ross County was next on the cards.

Gary Bollan, in what turned out to be his last match as boss, made three changes to the starting line-up as the Lions looked to end County’s impressive 13 match unbeaten run. Marc McNulty and Bobby Barr dropped to the bench while David Sinclair missed out completely as Kyle Jacobs, Stefan Scougall and Rory Boulding replaced them in the first eleven.

It was nearly a dreadful start for Livi, and particularly ‘keeper Andy McNeill as a fumbled cross landed nicely for Scott Boyd to knock home but the referee adjudged the defender to have impeded McNeill.

Straight away, the away side then had a goal of their own chalked off – this time for offside, with Russell latching on to Fox’s ball and lobbing Michael Fraser in the County goal. 

Keaghan Jacobs and Maurice Ross then combined to create Livi’s best opportunity of the half. Jacobs latched on to a stray pass from Gary Miller and fed in Ross who screamed a low ball across the face of goal but Russell, despite his best efforts, couldn’t get there quick enough to convert the chance.

Livi were made to rue this miss as the home side took the lead on 28 minutes. A corner from Michael Gardyne was never properly dealt with and when Boyd’s flick fell to an unmarked Colin McMenamin at the back-post, the ex-Lion made no mistake in firing across McNeill and into the net.

Before half time, Bollan was forced into a change with Jason Talbot requiring hospital treatment and resultantly being replaced by Bobby Barr. This seen Kyle Jacobs drop back into defence with Barr heading for the wing.

The second half began in an even fashion with both teams passing up chances. Gardyne done well to present Iain Vigurs with a shooting opportunity but his effort was easily saved by McNeill. Moments later, Vigurs was again teed up for a shot, this time by Kettlewell but on this occasion, he sent the ball wide of the post with McNeill at full stretch.

Livingston twice went close down the other end, firstly with Boulding seeing his shot blocked and deflect wide after a brilliant run from Barr then Russell shot straight at Fraser after collecting Boulding’s flick on.

The Livi defence was slowly finding itself under more and more pressure as County drove forward trying to seal the win. Richie Brittain should have done better after finding himself one-on-one with McNeill but he shot straight at the ‘keeper when either side of him would have been a certain goal. Substitute Marc Corcoran was next to test the Livi number one but his curling effort was excellently tipped over the bar.

It was no surprise when this pressure did eventually lead to goal number two for County. Grant Munro headed Brittain’s corner back across goal and despite McNeill pulling off yet another excellent stop, he could only parry the ball into the path of McMenamin who volleyed home from close range.

Minutes later, Corcoran wasted a great opportunity to make it three when he fired over the bar after some good work to beat both Kyle and Keaghan Jacobs. Kettlewell was next to try and put the icing on the cake but he shot straight at McNeill after some good build up play from Brittain, Corcoran and Morrison.

With County’s next attack though, the third goal did come and it was another ex-Livi boy who sealed the win. Stevie Craig chested a long clearance to Vigurs and he slipped a ball through the Livi back-line where Sam Morrow was able to race clear and fire his shot beyond McNeill and into the corner.

It was a goal that that had been a long time coming and confirmed our second consecutive 3-0 away defeat.

Highlights can be viewed here - http://www.livingstonfc.co.uk/livitv.php