Links
1-1
Most of you were aware of the amount of work I was putting into making this a special occasion for our visitors from Scotland. Yet it seems it's too much effort for one of my players even to turn up for the game and without our other striker Allan Cookson it was a real kick in the teeth before the game had even started.
We won the toss and went with the wind and basically camped out in the Livingston half but our failure to make the most of good situations saw Livingstone gradually grow in confidence. Our keeper who had nothing to do for most of the first half was suddenly called into action as Livingstone begin to look dangerous on the break.
Saying that we were still in the driving seat but I sensed that we were blowing a great opportunity to stamp our mark on the game and when the half time whistle went with the score at 0-0 I knew we were under real pressure. Talking to the Livingston lads on the way to the ground they said 0-0 at half time was as good as being in front. As for us I was so disappointed that players who can express themselves so well in training failed to make the right decisions at the right time.
Second half I changed it a bit and I thought we did better and deservedly went 1-0 in front but that elusive second would not come and back came Livingstone. Our keeper pulled of a fantastic save to stop them equalising but Livingstone did not let that affect them and five minutes later got a deserved equaliser their lad riffling home a shot from an impossible angle.
Back we came and Jason pulled two shots just wide one over the bar and one that flashed past the post but it wasn't to be and it was down to penalties. We have had some success with penalty shoot outs in the pass but I just knew this was not going to be our day i think that's why i went to collect the corner flags during the pens.
Credit must go to Livingston they kept at it and worked their bollocks off and made the most of their possession. If we had to go out I just can't think of anybody better than those guys. Traveling back in their team bus with them was a pleasure. They were so respectful about us and to me that means everything. Gutted we are out but chuffed that we have made some close friends on the other side of Hadrian’s Wall.