We dominated the first nine minutes of the match and missed a glorious chance when Adams headed wide after Broto missed a cross. Livingston then managed their first attack of the match and in a fashion typical of a team in our situation they scored a great goal. There appeared to be little danger when the ball was laid off to Makel but he rocketed an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
We responded well to the early set back but although we had a lot of possession, our only shots on target came from long range. Leitch hit a drive straight at the ‘keeper and Lasley had a magnificent shot tipped wide.
You would have thought that Terry Butcher would have fired the team up at half time but instead the opposite appeared to happen. Livingston seized the initiative at the start of the second half and doubled their lead with a goal coming off a defensive error. Lasley was muscled off the ball all too easily by Sherif and he then chipped Woods from twenty yards.
Could things get any worse? Of course they could! Hammell missed an easy lay off from Lehmann and Dadi was allowed to race down the right hand side. Hammell failed to get back to block the cross and Sherif was left with a tap in from the middle of the box. The 300 or so Livingston fans could not believe their luck at gaining the easiest three points they’ll earn all season.
We did manage to fight our way back into things and debutant Khaled Kemas pulled one back with a magnificent twenty yard volley. We desperately need someone who can finish well and if Kemas can improve when his fitness develops, we might have signed a star.
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Whether Woods was at fault for goals two and four remains up for debate but there is no doubt he has to take responsibility for the fifth. He came charging out his box but David Xausa beat him to the ball and finished from a tight angle. It’s one thing watching us being destroyed by the old firm but Livingston, even by SPL terms, are a poor side. This was the sort of game we need to win and to be honest, we came nowhere near to the three points.
We are still tenth in the league due to Thistle’s draw at Tannadice. However, if we lose next week and Dundee United win at Kilmarnock, we will be bottom of the table. A position that is more than a fair reflection of our recent performances.
Maybe Wednesday’s trip to Pittodrie has to be seen as a training outing for the crunch match at Firhill next week – the team will need all the support we can muster and every ‘Well fan who can get to the game will be a help to the lads.