LIVING IT UP
Martindale’s delight as Livi win on the road and avenge painful final defeat
Davie Martindale was buzzing as he toasted the end of a sevenmatch wait for a win on the road.
St r i kes f rom on- loan Birmingham City kid Odin Bailey, Bruce Anderson and Scott Pittman provided some revenge for last term’s painful Betfred Cup final loss to Callum Davidson’s men.
Saints also lost Shaun Rooney, Efe Ambrose and Michael O’Halloran to injuries on a day to forget.
Livi boss Martindale said: “It was a great result.
“We knew away from home against St Johnstone, a very good team, that we had to come with a slightly different game plan.
“It’s nice to score three goals and really pleasing to get a clean sheet. I don’t really believe in turning points to be honest.
“Does that mean we’re going on to win eight games? I don’t think you’re going to do that in the league this year.
“We had a fantastic season last season, won 12 games in the league, but you’re going to lose more games than you win.”
The Lions came out roaring, stormed into an early lead and doubled their advantage before the break.
They never looked like letting Saints off the hook.
Cristian Montano had already been denied a goal with his head by the feet of keeper Zander Clark before Bailey’s thirdminute opener.
The Englishman made no mistake with a classy f inish drilled low past Clark from 14 yards after Anderson dummied a cross to deceive defenders.
Liam Craig came within a whisker of a sixth- minute response as his 18-yard effort smacked the crossbar.
But in 29 minutes Livi were celebrating a second goal which came out of the blue.
Keeper Clark attempted to pick a pass to unsuspecting Jamie McCart and when the ball clipped the defender’s heel Anderson pounced to slot low into the net.
The Lions had their fans celebrating a third in the 66th minute. Once again Anderson cashed in on chaotic Perth defending to pick out Pittman for a point-blank finish.
Livi keeper Man Stryjek was finally tested with 17 minutes left and he reacted superbly to tip Chris Kane’s powerful header over the crossbar.