Livingston lose at home for the first time this season as George Oakley scores the only goal of the game
Venue: The Home of the Set Fare Arena Date: 21/12/2024 Time: 15:00 In an action-packed game, George Oakleys’ goal secured all three points for Ayr United away from home. In what was Livingstons’ first loss at home this season, the game had it all. Early on, it was clear that the weather would impact this game with strong winds and the odd shower of rain. The result takes Ayr just two points behind second place, with Livingston dropping to five points off the league leaders Falkirk after they won their fixture with Hamilton Accies. The referee didn’t have the strongest hold on the game, leaving fans and players frustrated. Early on, the referee overruled his linesmans’ decision by deeming Livingstons’ number 8, Scott Pittman, offside when he was through on goal. However, the referee then changed his mind and awarded Livingston a free kick for his wrongdoings. This set the tone for the Livingston supporters. Livingston controlled the majority of the second half but couldn’t make any of their chances count. The closest the ball came to the back of the net was from Ayr United’s Patrick Reading, whose wayward header was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Harry Stone. Tete Yengis’ disallowed goal After a strong start from Livingston, it didn’t take them long to get the ball in the net. In the twelfth minute, Matthew Clarke sent a well-aimed cross into the box his pass was met by Tete Yengi, who brought the ball down, composed himself and found the back of the net. Controversially, the goal was disallowed for a presumed handball from Yengi as he brought the ball down. Yengi, who had a strong game for Livingston, will be disappointed that he wasn’t able to walk away from the game a goal better. Consequently, this decision seemed to spark Ayr into life as they improved after the wake-up call, taking the game to the home side Manager Scott Brown will not doubt be pleased with the way his team bounced back. George Oakley wins it for Ayr It took until the 40th minute for the deadlock to be broken in this closely fought contest. Livingston failed to react to the quickly taken throw-in, and Jay Henderson sent a wonderful half-volley low and hard into the box. This caused a mix-up between the Livingston centre-backs and their goalkeeper Jerome Prior, allowing George Oakley to get on the end of Hendersons’ cross to tap the ball in and unknowingly secure all three points for his team. Goalkeeper Jerome Prior seemed sure that he had all ten fingers on the ball and was fouled however, despite his exasperation, the referee awarded the goal. Ayr continued to defend well and were rewarded for their efforts with three points and a clean sheet, the first time a team can say that this season facing Livingston away from home. Attendance: 1,521 Lineups: Manager: David Martindale Livingston Fc: J. Priore, M. Clarke (C. Montano 82′), R. Mcgowan, R. McAlear (L. Sole 71′), S. Pittman (A. Winter 87′), T. Yengi, J. Brandon (R. Muirhead 82′), L. Smith (S. Kelly 71′), S. May, D, Finlayson, M. Nottingham. Substitutes: M. Pitaluga, B. Jackson, L. Sole, S. Kelly, A. Winter, A. Shinnie, R. Muirhead, C. Montano, D. Wilson. Manager: Scott Brown Ayr United: H. Stone, N. McAllister, P. Reading, M. Devlin, B. Dempsey, G. Oakley (A. Bavidge 87′), C. McLennan, G. Stranger, J. Murphy (M. McKenzie 63′), J. Henderson (R. Howley 80′), S. McMann. Substitutes: J. McIntyre, R. Syla, M. McKenzie, M. Rus, R. Howley, D. Craig, D. Watrer, E. Ferguson, A. Bavidge. Referee: Duncan Williams
Oisin Smyth earns ten man Saints three points in Dingwall
Venue: Global Energy Stadium Date: 21/12/24 Time: 15:00 Oisin Smyth’s fantastic free kick gave St Mirren an important 2-1 win in awful weather despite Scott Tanser’s sending off early in the second half. Alex Iacovetti had given the visitors the lead against his former club in the first half when keeper Jack Hamilton failed to push Oisin Smith’s tame free kick into safety. County responded just 29 seconds into the second half when Michee Efete was quickest to his blocked effort following a Noah Chilvers cross. Despite going into the break a goal down, County were dominant in large spells, let down by a lack of accuracy. Chilvers sent a free kick from a promising position wide before Ronan Hale failed to trouble the Ellery Balcombe with an ambitious overhead kick. Already feeling the heat after conceding an equaliser Stephen Robinson looked on as Scott Tanser earned himself a second yellow after a crunching challenge on Aiden Denholm to leave his side with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage the Saints pushed for a winner, Oisin Smyth not far from giving them one, his attempt curling just wide. Jonah Ayunga’s introduction an added edge up front, the Kenyan international forcing Hamilton into making a strong save. Akil Wright had a golden opportunity for County but could only skew Kacper Lopata’s cross wide as the side fell to their fourth consecutive defeat. Cowie’s men face difficult games against Dundee and Hearts as they sit just two points off the bottom of the table. Smyth’s set-pieces separate sides Since moving from Oxford United the Northern Irishman has hardly been the first name on the team sheet, today was just his second start of the season. It’s fair to say he made the most of it in the Highlands. His first free kick, whilst hardly thunderous, put the keeper under enough pressure to see the ball land at the feet of a grateful Iacovetti. The second was textbook despite the blustery conditions, curling his effort from outside the box past a hapless Hamilton to give his side the win. He has to bide his time this season, but with a goal and an assist tonight Smyth has Stephen Robinson yet another head scratcher ahead of home fixtures against Rangers and Dundee. Lack of goals haunt County With just fourteen goals this season, Don Cowie’s side’s lack of creativity in the final third continues to harm any chance of becoming a top six side. Ronan Hale has been the main source of goals with five but he cut a isolated figure this evening, not getting the necessary service to cause damage, his desperation epitomised in the wildly inaccurate overhead kick in the first half. One month ago they were three points behind St Mirren in sixth, driven by an ability to pick up points here and there. Now that gap has stretched to nine as sides around the bottom of the table continue to earn crucial points of their own, Hibernian beating Aberdeen tonight. Efete’s goal was much deserved but the side needed to capitalise on the reduced numbers of their opponents, their failure to do so means they will drop into the relegation play-off place whatever the score when Hearts welcome St Johnstone tomorrow. What the managers said Ross County boss Don Cowie: “St Mirren go down to ten men, the game’s perfectly poised for us to step through and get a valuable three points. At that moment in time we did nowhere near enough to go and win the game. “[They] dealt with the conditions so much better than us and we did not test them considering they were down to ten. “The results have not been good enough over the last six weeks and maybe the players are feeling a little low in terms of confidence.” St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson: “I think the character shown was superb. It was a real tough game in the conditions I’m sure Don said the same. “We started really poorly in the second half but our response to that was terrific. “Oisin starts and scores a wonder goal and sets the first one up. He’s a boy I believe will get better and better with each game and more football matches.” Attendance: 3,271 Line-ups: Ross County: J. Hamilton, C. Randall (c), K. Lopata, A. Wright, G. Harmon (J. Reid 68’), S. Allardice (A. Denholm 46’), J. Nisbet (E. Brophy 69’), M. Efete, N. Chilvers, R. Hale, J. White Substitutes: J. Amissah, R. Leak, V. Loturi, M. Sheaf, J. Grieves, A. Denholm, C. Telfer, E. Brophy, J. Reid St Mirren: E. Balcombe, R. Taylor, A. Iacovetti, M. Fraser, S. Tanser, K. Phillips, O. Smyth, E. Bwomono, G. Kiltie, M. Mandron (J. Ayunga 77’), R. Idowu (A. Gogic 76’) Substitutes: P. Urminsky, J. Ayunga, A. Gogic, J. Scott, C. Boyd-Munce, D. Adeniran, L. Kenny, C. Penman, E. Mooney. Referee: Iain Snedden
Drama at Fir Park: Controversial Red Card Overshadows Motherwell and Kilmarnock Stalemate
In the tense and unpredictable world of Scottish Premiership football, controversy is never far from the pitch, and Motherwell’s clash with Kilmarnock at Fir Park served as a stark reminder. Manager Stuart Kettlewell’s palpable frustration, summed up in his declaration of being “sick [and] fed up” with refereeing decisions, came to a head after Dan Casey’s red card turned an already contentious match into a talking point that will echo for days. A Contentious Decision at the Centre The match’s defining moment arrived when Motherwell, having seen their narrow lead slip away, were dealt another blow just minutes after Liam Polworth’s levelling strike for Kilmarnock. Casey’s confrontation with Danny Armstrong saw him given a straight red by referee Chris Graham, who, after reviewing the incident at the behest of VAR official David Dickinson, decided to uphold his original decision. The Scottish FA later clarified the card was issued for violent conduct, citing Casey’s hand placement near Armstrong’s chin. However, Kettlewell, echoing the bewilderment of many observers, questioned if the threshold for such a dismissal had been set alarmingly low. “It’s quite incredible,” he told BBC Scotland, disbelief evident in his tone. “Him being sent to the monitor suggests he’s got it wrong. I’ve been given the heads up from Kilmarnock’s bench that this is going to be overturned. And the ref watches it several times and thinks that he’s got it right. I’m concerned for the game in this country if we’re deeming that type of thing a red card.” Motherwell’s Casey, now facing suspension and potential review, became the focal point of a broader discussion about officiating standards. Even Aston Villa and Scotland’s John McGinn weighed in, describing the call as “the worst decision I’ve seen” on social media platform X. A Game of Missed Chances and Resilience Beyond the flashpoint, the football itself provided moments of grit and determination from both sides. Motherwell, who entered the match in decent form, struck first through Liam Gordon, seizing on a chaotic free-kick that saw Casey’s header clatter off the post before Gordon pounced to convert. Kilmarnock, undeterred by their deficit, struggled to make their possession count until manager Derek McInnes’ tactical adjustments bore fruit. The introduction of substitute Bobby Wales injected much-needed energy, and while his first few chances went awry, the tide eventually turned. Polworth’s equaliser, a low drive past goalkeeper Aston Oxborough’s outstretched hand, brought the visitors back into contention. However, Casey’s dismissal clouded Motherwell’s momentum. Reduced to 10 men, they showed commendable resolve, and young Lennon Miller nearly snatched victory with a late curling free-kick that sailed narrowly wide. Kilmarnock, for their part, had their own grievances after appeals for a penalty involving Brad Lyons and Andy Halliday were waved away, adding another layer of drama to an already contentious afternoon. Motherwell’s Mixed Feelings While Motherwell may rue a missed opportunity to secure three points, their position in the table remains steady, holding fourth despite this frustrating draw. Kettlewell acknowledged the team’s lacklustre ball movement but took heart in their fighting spirit. “I didn’t think we passed the ball in the fashion we try and do,” he admitted. “But we fought and scrapped our way through.” Kilmarnock’s Tenacity on Display McInnes, despite his evident disappointment, could draw positives from his side’s determination. “We were the better team throughout,” he insisted. The tactical shifts and renewed vigour in the second half allowed Kilmarnock to claim a point and extend their unbeaten streak, though a win would have propelled them further up the standings. With the festive fixtures fast approaching, both teams will need to channel the lessons learned from this stalemate. Motherwell’s upcoming tests against Celtic and Rangers promise to be stern challenges, while Kilmarnock will look to build on this hard-fought draw when they face Aberdeen at home. In a season where every point counts and officiating scrutiny only intensifies, Stuart Kettlewell’s frustration may be the latest, but it’s unlikely to be the last in a league renowned for its passion and unpredictability.