Falkirk 0-2 Heart of Midlothian – Match Report
Falkirk hosted Hearts this evening in the Scottish Premiership, with the Bairns aiming to test themselves against a Hearts side enjoying an impressive run of form this season. The hosts faced the Jambos earlier this season at Tynecastle the game ended 3-0 with goals from Kyziridis, Shankland and Craig Halkett. Falkirk have picked up 21 points in their last 16 games with a series of unbeaten home league matches; it is their best top flight home run in nearly two decades. McInnes’ side came into this game off the back of a 2-1 win away to Celtic last weekend which pushed them 3 points clear of the reigning champions. Claudio Braga is now one of the league’s top goal scorers with the majority of his goals coming from away matches including one in that game. The visitors got the game under way and after just 68 seconds they had the lead. A shot across from Shankland which was saved by Scott Bain but not far enough as Braga comes running in to head the ball into the back of the net. The home side had a good opportunity 13 minutes in when Kyrell Wilson charged towards Schwolow in goal but Stuart Findlay slid in to clear it for a throw-in. The Jam Tarts had another few opportunities within the first half, Shankland got the ball after a pass from Braga but couldn’t get the curl he needed and the shot went wide. Harry Milne had to work hard in defence as Wilson closed in on goal, he was past Schwolow but Milne cleared the ball off the line to deny the biggest opportunity Falkirk had within the first half. Into the second half both sides continued the pressure as Falkirk had an opportunity after McEntee gave away a free kick on the edge of the box. It was Calvin Miller to take it but it was deflected off of Agyeman. Substitute Stephen Kingsley brought the fight back for the Edinburgh side and within 3 minutes of being on the park, he had the ball in the back of the net. A shot taken from outside of the box fired past Scott Bain who was at full stretch and the Jambos extended their lead to 2-0. A final chance for McGlynn’s side Scott Arfield played the ball through trying to find Brian Graham but just too much pace on it as it went out for a goal kick. This is only the second time John McGlynn’s side have been beaten at home this season with the previous loss coming against St Mirren. The game ended 2-0 for the visitors who have extended their gap in front of Celtic in the league to 6 points. Falkirk: Bain (5), Lissah (5), Allan (4), Henderson (5), Hart (4), Spencer (6), Cartwright (5), Wilson (6), Millar (5), Ross (4), Agyeman (5). Subs :Tait (3), Graham (2), Williams (3), Arfield (3), Edwards (2). Heart of Midlothian: Schwolow (7), Milne (8), Findlay (7), Halkett (7), Steinwender (8), Devlin (8), McEntee (8), Braga (9), Magnusson (7), Kyziridis (8), Shankland (7). Subs: Kingsley (7), Spittal (5), Kabangu (4), Kerjota (5), McCart (2).
Livingston 2-2 Dundee: Lions Roar Back From Two Behind to Rescue Vital Point
Livingston came from two goals behind Dundee to rescue a point as both sides played out a 2-2 epic at The Home of the Set Fare Arena. There was a lot riding on the line for both sides, with only four points separating the division’s bottom two, although Dundee have since moved up the table with Kilmarnock not in action until tomorrow. A classic game of two halves, Dundee looked set to win their first game on the road since the final day of the last season as they went up the tunnel at half-time two up thanks to goals from Yan Dhanda and Cameron Congreve. But David Martindale’s side looked reborn in the second period, with goals coming from Jeremy Bokila and Tete Yengi to give the hosts a deserved point as they were the team on the ascendancy for the entire second half. Pressure grows on Steven Pressley in the Dundee dugout, with the away section letting their grievances be heard with expletives this match report cannot repeat. Dundee got the first of their goals thirteen minutes in. Ethan Hamilton tested Jerome Prior with a pile-driver from distance, and the Frenchman’s save only went as far as Yan Dhanda, who made no mistake tapping the ball home for an away lead. And just five minutes later, the advantage doubled. Tony Yogane looped a ball in from the left wing, and the Dee’s star man Cameron Congreve executed a deft finish to send the travelling support into raptures. Not to be down and out, Livingston tried clawing their way back into the game, with Scott Pittman having the Lions’ best opportunity of making the game a contest once more. He found a half yard of space after some superb combination play from the home side, but Jon McCracken was equal to the effort. Just moments before referee Dan McFarlane’s half-time whistle, Dundee came close to making it three. Dhanda tried his upmost to turn provider, but his whipped set-piece glanced off of Billy Koumetio’s head and flew wide of the post. In the opening ten minutes of second period, McCracken in the Dundee net was on a one-man-mission to maintain his clean sheet. The former Scotland call-up was forced into two saves from Livi’s Lewis Smith and Cristian Montano in the same minute, with the latter effort potentially being a cross that was caught in the West Lothian wind. The hosts would get themselves back into the game with just over 25 minutes left to play. Colombian utility man Montano broke the Dundee defensive line with a wonderful ball through to Jeremy Bokila, who showed great composure to find the top left corner as his side’s persistence finally paid off. Stevie May stung the palms of McCracken with his attempt for the equaliser. His shot carried a lot of venom from the edge of the area, and the veteran had a low rocket deflect wide just one minute later with the game entering its final fifteen minutes. With 84 minutes on the clock, Australian Tete Yengi got Livingston’s inevitable equaliser having barely been on the pitch for a minute. A ball floated in from left and Yengi’s header sneaked through the legs of McCracken who will not want to see that one back. Livingston were reduced to ten in the final minute of added time, with captain Ryan McGowan adjudged to have denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity. Four points separate Dundee and Livingston, as it did before the game as well. Dundee move up to tenth with a game played more than Kilmarnock in eleventh. Livingston remain winless since the second game of the season, but will be delighted to get back into the game from two behind this afternoon. Livi make the trip to Paisley next weekend to face St. Mirren who have a cup final to deal with tomorrow. As for Dundee, it is another trip Southward to face Motherwell at Fir Park. LIVINGSTON: Prior 5, Montano 7, Wilson 6, McGowan 5, Finlayson 5, Susoho 4 (May 63’ 4), Tait 7, Smith 6, Pittman 6 (Yengi 83’ 4), Brenet 3 (McLennan 46’ 3), Bokila 7 (Muirhead 87’ 1) DUNDEE: McCracken 6, Wright 6, Koumetio 7, Graham 5, Astley 1 (Samuels 28’ 4), Yogane 7 (Acquah 89’ 1), Hamilton 6, Dhanda 6 (Jones 76’ 1), Digby 5, Congreve 6 (Ingram 76’ 1), Murray 5 (Hay 63’ 2)
Dundee United 0-0 Motherwell – A goalless draw at Tannadice as both sides struggled in the final third
Out-of-form Dundee United host in-form Motherwell with the hosts in eager need of victory as pressure begins to mount on Jim Goodwin. Motherwell had the first chance, Stephen O’Donnell with a ball where Callum Hendry heads it straight at David Richards. A simple stop for Richards. Stephen Welsh was forced off after 17 minutes through concussion following a coming together with Elliot Watt. Liam Gordon coming on to replace the on-loan Celtic man. Elliot Watt had a chance after 30 minutes from distance but a simple catch by Richards. A poor opening 30 by both sides as both really struggled to find any real chance with next to no clear cut chances. The hosts had a free-kick just outside the box where Ferry took a shot on but firing right at the Motherwell wall keeping the game goalless. Dundee United had penalty claims where Max Watters went around the keeper in which was taken down by Ward but the referee was having none of it. Watt had a late strike from distance but his effort fires well into the stands which sums up the match so far. Sapsford had the best chance, on the right hand side, cutting in and unleashing a weak strike which was stopped by Callum Ward in the Motherwell goals. Maswanhise had a chance of his own, a strike from the edge of the box which was a simple stop for David Richards. HT Dundee United 0-0 Motherwell – A very poor half of football with no clear-cut chances. There was the odd chance but no keeper being forced into any difficulty as the game was without a goal going into the break. Fatah had an early chance in the second half, a strike inside the box which was deflected with Ward catching the ball safely to keep the game on level terms. Fatah again but this time a darting run towards the box with an low-driven attempt unleashed from the edge of the box fired marginally wide of goal. Fateh had yet another chance, Ferry with a ball onto the edge of the box where Fateh’s strike went over and wide which looked to have been deflected but no corner was awarded. Elijah Just had a great strike from just outside the box but a solid block the Iovu resulted in a corner kick. Signs were showing of a goal coming soon. Slattery this time was very close. A brilliant turn on the ball by the midfielder with his strike firing just wide of goal. A lot better by both sides. Sibbald had a wonderful and ambitious attempt. A strike from the half way line as Ward appeared miles out but his attempt going just wide of target. After 75 minutes, Stamatelopoulos was through on goal where he took on a strike which flew wide of goal. Slattery had a huge chance to put his side, just yards out but fired over the top as it looks to edge towards a goalless draw at Tannadice. Said should’ve had the visitors, an attempt inside the box just firing wide of target as both teams look to try and break the deadlock. FT Dundee United 0-0 Dundee United: Richards 6, Strain 6, Esselink 6 , Iouvu 6, Graham 7, Sapsford 6, Ferry 7, Sibbald 6, Fatah8 , Stephenson7 , Watters 6. Subsitutes: Moller 6, Dolcek 6 , Sevelj 6. Motherwell: Ward 7, O’Donnell 6, Slattery 7, Fadinger 6, McGinn 6, Maswanhise 6, Watt 7, Just6 , Koutroumbis 6, Welsh 5, Hendry 5. Subsitutes: Gordon 6, Said 6, Stamatelopoulos 6, Longelo 6, Charles-Cook 6.
