Livingston

Venue: The Home of The Set Fare Arena Date: 16/5/25 Time: 19:45 Livingston are playoff final-bound, as they saw off Partick Thistle at home. A 2-0 win saw the hosts become an unlikely winner after a strong performance from the visitors. However, Livingston defended well, taking their chances better out of two teams. An early free kick gave Partick Thistle the first chance of the match. As Steven Lawless rolled the ball to Logan Chalmers on the edge of the box, Chalmers fired his shot way over the bar. Leaving no test for Jerome Prior. Thistle seemed keen to make amends for their defeat in the opening tie, keeping hold of the ball well and applying pressure on the hosts. After their early chance, they continued the search for an opener. Thistles’ second chance came in the fifteenth minute, after the ball broke just inside the home teams’ half. It was Ben Stanway to latch onto it, driving at Livingstons’ defence, and eventually taking his shot. However, the effort was deflected wide and put out for a corner. Once again, it was the visitors on the offence. As Kanayo Megwa whipped his ball into the box, after a stramash, the ball broke to Brian Graham. He took his touch and fired the effort goalbound, only to see it deflect off a Livingston defender and be cleared. It took 22 minutes for Livingston to have an effort at goal, after a looping corner from Stephen Kelly, Danny Wilson was unmarked at the back post. His header flew just over the bar. Then, just a minute later, Lewis Smith had an audacious effort at goal saved by David Mitchell. After cutting in from the right wing, whipping his shot goalward, he saw Mitchell parry it to safety. The opener came 40 minutes into the match, with the hosts scoring what would be an important goal in the battle for promotion. The ball broke on the right wing to Jamie Brandon, who drove into the penalty area. Hitting his shot across goal, seeing it deflect in off Mitchell. The goal put Livingston 3-0 up on aggregate, making the second half a hard task for Thistle. Half time came, and the hosts were a goal to the good. A strong finish from Brandon was the only goal separating the teams. Although against the run of play, it was exactly what Livingston were after. Just six minutes into the second half, Danny Wilson almost turned the ball into his own net after Megwas’ cross. However, the deflection was steered wide of the post. As the game reached the hour mark, Thistle continued to dominate. However, they couldn’t turn their possession and chances into goals. Ultimately leaving them a goal down. In the 67th minute, the ball broke to substitute Stevie May, giving him an unlikely shooting chance. The striker turned and hit the ball on the volley, hitting the top left corner from around 20 yards out. A special finish to round off an impressive playoff fixture from Livingston. The full-time whistle fell, and the hosts did exactly as required. Seeing out the second half, keeping a clean sheet and becoming deserved winners of this tie.   Lineups: Livingston: J. Prior, R. McGowan, S. Pittman(R. McAleer) S. Kelly, R. Fraser, J. Brandon(D. Finlayson), L. Smith(S. May), R. Muirhead(A. Shinnie), M. Tait, C. Montano( T. Yengi), D. Wilson Subs: J. Hamilton, M. Clarke, R. McAleer, T. Yengi, S. May, D. Finlayson, M. Nottingham, A. Shinnie, S. Lawal Manager: D. Martindale Partick Thistle: D. Mitchell, S. Bannigan(L. Dolan), B. Graham, L. Chalmers, S. Lawless, R. Crawford, L. McBeth, D. O’Reilly, A. Fitzpatrick (A. Jakubiak), B. Stanway(Z. MacKenzie), K. Megwa Subs: L. Budinauckas, L. Cameron, A. Jakubiak, Z. MacKenzie, M. Falconer, N. Lockhart, L. Rooney, L. Dolan, J. Low Manager: M. Wilson/ B. Graham Referee: Kevin Clancy

Date: 2/5/2025 Time: 19:45 Location: Home of the Set Fare Arena With the possibility of Livingston winning the Scottish Championship, this fixture would surely be one to remember. The title was in the hands of Falkirk, who just had to win their remaining game to lift the title. However, with Livingston hot on their heels, they were hoping Falkirk would slip up, allowing them a shot at first place. Livingston failed to make their chances count in the final game of the season. After a dominant 90 minutes, the side just couldn’t find the back of the net. First Half There was an early chance for player-manager Brian Graham, as the ball fell to him just inside the box after a poor attempt at a defensive clearance. Unfortunately for the visitors, his shot was just over the bar. An even bigger chance came five minutes in, as Robbie Muirhead was played through one-on-one with the keeper, his shot was far from clinical, resulting in an easy save for David Mitchell. In an enthriling start, the hosts had plenty of chances and looked to give themselves an early advantage. However, they couldn’t manage to find the back of the net. Another big chance came for Livingston as they continued their search for the opener. Nice link-up play from Robhie Fraser and Cristian Montano, saw the winger at the byline. His cross was hit low and hard, but was eventually put out for a corner. The first yellow card of the game came 19 minutes in, as Luke McBeth brought down Montano on the halfway line. Stopping a potential counterattack. As the game passed thirty minutes, the hosts continued to be the stronger side. They looked the more likely of the two teams to score, they created more chances, and held onto the ball a lot better. The visitors took an unlikely lead in the 38th minute, as nice link-up play down the right saw Kanayo Mega firing a cross into the box. Unfortunately for Macauley Tait, it was his deflection that steered the ball into his own net. Just two minutes later, the hosts had a massive chance of their own. After some great hold-up play from Muirhead, the ball was set up perfectly for Stephen Kelly, whose curling effort from just inside the box crashed off the crossbar. As half time fell, it was the away team heading into the dressing room with the advantage. After a frantic start, the hosts dominated, but failed to capitalise on their chances. Second Half Just five minutes into the second half, due to an Injury, Sean Kelly was the first change of the match. He was replaced by Steven Lawless, which seemed to make a change in their tactical approach. Ryan McGowan was awarded a yellow card in the 58th minute for a challenge that had the home fans in complete dismissal. A coming together saw the centre back play his pass, then make contact. Livingston almost had themselves level just past the hour mark, as Lewis Smith floated his cross into the six-yard box. Mitchell punched the ball away. However, Muirhead latched onto it, getting his effort at goal cleared off the line. Another chance came the hosts’ way in the 67th minute after Smith latched onto a cross into the box. The winger took a touch with his chest but had his effort at goal blocked. With just over 15 minutes left, Livingston made a double change, with grabbing a goal or two in mind. Stevie May and Daniel Finlayson replaced Jamie Brandon and Robbie Muirhead. As the game neared the end, Livingston continued to apply pressure. However, they couldn’t pull it together to find the back of the net. After ten additional minutes, the game remained 0-1. An unfortunate end to the season as the hosts head into the playoffs. Managers’ comments to come… Lineups: Livingston: J.Prior, R.McGowan, S.Pittman(A.Shinnie), S.Kelly, R.Fraser, J.Brandon(D.Finlayson), L.Smith, R.Muirhead(S.May), M.Tait, C.Montano(T.Yengi), D.Wilson Substitutes: J.Hamilton, S.Donnellan, M.Clarke, R.McAlear, T.Yengi, S.May, D.Finlayson, M.Nottingham, A.Shinnie Manager: D.Martindale Partick Thistle: D.Mitchell, S.Kelly(S.Lawless), K.Turner, B.Graham, R.Crawford(T.Ablade), L.McBeth, D.O’Reilly, A.Fitzpatrick(Z.MacKenzie), L.Ashcroft, B.Stanway, K.Megwa Substitutes: L.Budinauckas, L.Cameron, S.Lawless, T.Ablade, Z.macKenzie, M.Falconer, N.Lockhart Manager(s): M.Wilson/B.Graham Attendance: 3,819