Match Report: Livingston 0-1 Stenhousemuir
Marvin Bartley enjoys winning return to Almondvale as Stenny’s dream start continues. After 8 minutes, Livingston believed that they should have had a penalty as Grant appeared to have handled the ball in an unnatural position, however, it was waved away by the referee, and in the following phase of play, Anderson had a free header inside the Stenhousemuir box, but the striker’s header was too central and as a result was easily saved by Jamieson. Moments later Kabongolo won the ball back and played a ball over the top into the path of Anderson, who found Palmer, whose first time, side footed effort from outside the area went wide. After a strong start from the hosts, it was the visitors who hit the front. Kabongolo’s pass was intercepted high up the pitch and eventually into Anderson’s path, who then found Shinnie, who made no mistake with the finish, confidently slotting the ball past Prior at his near post. With just over 15 minutes until first half stoppage time, another Livingston penalty appeal was waved away, this time for a shirt pull inside the area, much to the disbelief of Anderson. Minutes later, Bruce Anderson did well to get on the end of a cross from the right-hand side, but the striker’s header went just past the post. HT: Livingston 0-1 Stenhousemuir Early into the second half, Stenhousemuir were awarded a controversial free kick after the referee had already played advantage, which they nearly scored from. The ball was played into the path of Robson, who ran onto the ball and forced Prior into making a reasonably comfortable save. Muirhead played a smart ball over the top into Anderson’s path, who did well to work space to get his shot off, but was denied by Bright, who stayed switched on to clear the ball off the goal line. Van Hoeven worked the ball onto his left foot and had a shot from outside the area, which he caught well, but his effort, which was very central, was tipped over the top by Jamieson. Just past the hour mark, Livingston, for the third time, believed they should have had a penalty, when Van Hoeven went down inside the area, however, out of all three penalty appeals, that one would have been the softest had it have been awarded. A Stenhousemuir corner nearly resulted in a goal for Livi. Polworth initially done well to get to the ball first and find space just inside the opposition half, before spotting the keeper off his line and having a go, but his effort went just past the post. A smart effort from the Livingston substitute. Sinclair was next to appeal for a penalty after feeling contact on his back and going down, but, for the fourth time, the referee waved away the appeals. After 3 minutes of additional time, the referee drew the game to a close. A disappointing evening for the hosts, however, yet another brilliant result for Marvin Bartley’s men, who move five points clear at the top of the Championship. Livingston: Prior (6), Doherty (6), McGowan (6), Kabongolo (5), Wilkie (6), Palmer (6), Danso (6), Culbert (6), Muirhead (6), Anderson , Van Hoeven (7) Substitutes: Carey, Fati (6), Hamilton, Iseni, Kerr, May (6), Pittman, Polworth (6), Sinclair (6) Stenhousemuir: Jamieson (8), Grant (8), Young (8), Bright (8), Meechan (7), Anderson (8), Robson (7), Bilham (7), Hodgkiss (6), Shinnie (8), O’Donnell (7) Substitutes: Aitken, Buchanan, Gillies (6), Hemfrey, MacIntyre (6), O’Reilly (6), Penman, Scally (6), Stevenson (6)
Match preview: Partick Thistle continue promotion hunt at home to Ayr
Partick Thistle host Ayr United tomorrow afternoon in match day five of the Scottish Championship. Mark Wilson’s side currently sit 2nd in the Championship, two points behind newly promoted Stenhousemuir. Ayr, managed by the man who led Stenhousemuir to the second tier, Gary Naysmith, currently sit sixth in the table with five points. Partick Thistle will look to snap their three-match winless run tomorrow, with their last victory coming against Livingston on the 7th August. The Glasgow side managed to remain unbeaten at home in the league last season as they narrowly missed out of promotion at the hands of St. Mirren in the play-offs. They come into this one on the back of a 0-0 draw in a Glasgow Derby at home to Queens Park. As for Ayr, they are currently without a win in their last five. Their last win came on the Championship’s opening day at home to Arbroath. Their last match was a 1-1 draw at home to Greenock Morton. The visitors could also be bolstered by the arrival of Josh Landers on loan from West Ham on deadline day. A product of the Hibernian academy, Landers has been in fine form for West Ham at youth levels since making the switch down south 18 months ago. Earlier this week, the 19-year-old scored four goals for West Ham U21 as they were beaten 5-4 by Chelsea U21 in Premier League 2. The match kicks off at 3pm at the WrightKerr Stadium at Firhill.