Stenhousemuir FC v Livingston

Match Report

MATCH REPORTS

Stenhousemuir v Livingston at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 13.12.16

SPFL Ladbrokes League One              Att 334

Stenhousemuir 0 Livingston 4 [Summers 16 og, De Vita 70, Buchanan 81, Carrick 90]

Stenhousemuir came into this game on the back of a resounding victory at Airdrie on the Saturday and it was hoped that they could carry this form into this game. Although Airdrie were sitting second in the league Livingston the current leaders are a different kettle of fish and it was always going to be a much harder game.

The early stages were promising though for the Warriors and Alan Cook showed that the home side were not going to be passive after a Colin McMenamin header was flicked into his path and he drove at the home defence before hitting a powerful drive just over the bar. At the other end Josh Mullin shot wide from a decent position. In the 16^th minute though Livingston took the lead in bizarre circumstances. A long kick out by the Livi keeper was headed towards his own goal by Ciaran Summers but Colin McCabe had also came out to clear and he was stranded as the ball landed in the net. This goal after 16 minutes gave the visitors impetus and Matthew Knox fired a long range free kick just over. McCabe then did well to deny Mullin when he was able to parry a shot clear. It wasn’t one way traffic though and Liam Kelly made a fine save from Ally Roy after McMenamin had once more flicked the ball on to the attacker. With three minutes of the half left the home side should have equalised after a Cook free kick was headed on by Jamie McCormack but from inside the penalty box David Marsh could only head over the bar.

After the resumption both sides came close with headers in the early stages but neither team were to test their respective opposite keepers. Stenhousemuir though were almost caught on a swift counter attack from a Stenhousemuir corner that went well but they were rescued by a superb tackle by Summers.

In the 65^th minute there was another let off for Stenhousemuir after their defence had been opened up again but Mullin shot wide of the target when he had time to pick his spot. In the 70^th minute though Livingston extended their lead. Josh Mullin found space down the right flank and picked out a Rafa De Vita run in the middle and the Italian slotted home from 10 yards out. He was subbed before  the restart with Nicky Cadden who usually causes Stenhousemuir problems coming on.

In the 75^th minute Stenhousemuir were lucky to keep eleven men on the park after a bad tackle by Marsh on Halkett who managed to ride the tackle. The Warrior was cautioned for the tackle but there would have been no complaints if a red card had been issued. There was a conflagration after the tackle and Sean Creighton was cautioned as well. Ironically Marsh picked up an injury and was subbed a few minutes later.

The home side were struggling in the latter stages as the exertions of playing two full time teams in a short space of time and they were hit by another swift Livingston attack in the 81^st minute when Liam Buchanan headed home a Jackson Longridge cross.

That however was not to be the end of the scoring as Dale Carrick scored with almost the last kick of the ball when good footwork creating the opening for him to tuck the ball home. After a decent hours play by Stenhousemuir the last half hour was a struggle as Livingston were able to freshen the team up as and when required  to put Stenhousemuir to the sword as they justified their status as league leaders.

Stenhousemuir – McCabe, McCormack, Summers, Marsh [b75][Meechan 83], Kerr, Berry, Roy [Manzana 80], Millar, McMenamin [b85], Furtado and Cook. Subs not used – Robertson, McMaster, Hamilton, McCroary and Gilhaney.

Livingston – Kelly, Creighton [b75], Longridge, Bryne, Halkett, Mullin [Currie 80], Lithgow, Pittman, Carrick, Knox [Buchanan 59] and De Vita [Cadden 70]. Subs not used – Maley, Watt, Neil and Ogilvie

Referee – Kevin Graham        Assistants – Gary Hilland and David Burns