Three and easy for Livi as Killie get
The overtly robust nature of Livingston and Kilmarnock are commonly highlighted in polite conversation, but it was the polarity of the attitudes at the clubs highlighted by their managers than may ultimately reveal why the West Lothian side ran out clear three-goal victors over their Ayrshire visitors.
Livi incumbent Gary
Holt was quick to praise his side’s fortitude as the Almondvale management team looked push their injury-limited squad.
“We asked them, can you go an extra 10%?”, Holt stated.
“The tiredness is a mental state. Everyone talks about three games in a week. A load of nonsense. It is a mental state and can they go beyond it, can they push through it? We certainly showed that today and I thought we were comfortable winners, and it could have been more.”
Livingston ended a steak of eight league matches without victory but it was the visitors who had a great chance to take the lead after only eight minutes as a corner from Rory McKenzie was placed expertly on to the head of Dario Del Fabro, but the Italian had too long to contemplate his placement, eventually nodding his effort wide of the upright.
As the rain poured from the heavens, Branesua produced a stunning save on the goal line to foil Rickie Lamie with the first half expiring, as the defender met Craig Sibbald’s corner at the back post for what seemed a certain goal.
Gary Holt’s men forged a gilt-edged chance a minute before half-time with some delicious football. Lyndon Dykes flicked the ball to Stevie Lawless who supplied an onrushing Scott Pittman.
The midfielder was clean through on goal but could not direct his effort past the imposing Branescu who was certainly earning his afternoon’s pay packet.
The deadlock was
finally broken 10 minutes after half-time as a set-piece from Souda paid dividends.
The winger was able to find Lamie at the back post and the defender nodded his cross down for Jon Guthrie to force the ball over the line from close range.
Kilmarnock simply could not defend crosses and when Stevie Lawless skinned Hamalainen on the right flank in the 65th minute, the result was not in doubt.
The petite winger found the onrushing Dykes at the near post and the striker flashed his header past Branescu.
The game was over as a contest with 10 minutes remaining as Gary Holt’s men displayed their ruthessness on the counter attack with Dykes feeding Lawless, after Craig Sibbald had set the striker free.
The winger cut inside his marker then drove his shot under Branescu for the third goal of the afternoon.
Whilst Holt highlighted the physiological toughness in his side to battle fatigue, Angelo Alessio was not as confident his charges would battle through the barriers.
“I think Livingston deserved this win”, Alessio stated. “We conceded three easy goals and they played well. They played better than us. We have to reflect, to understand, to think and work hard.”
lIvINGSToN:
(4-5-1) M Sarkic 6, A TaylorSinclair 6, C Sibbald 7(K Jacobs 86), R Lamie 7, J Guthrie 6, M Bartley 6, S Pittman 6, S Lawson 6, S Lawless 9 (S Robinson 83), A Souda 8 (A Lithgow 89), L Dykes 7. Subs not used – R Stewart, J McMillan, H Odoffin, C Erskine.
KIlMArNoCK:
(4-3-3) L Branescu 8, S O’Donnell 4, A Bruce 6, A Power 5, R McKenzie 5 (D Thomas 72), G Dicker 4, E Brophy 5, L Millar 5 (C Burke 77), N Hamalainen 6, M El Makrini 5 (O Sow 69), D Del Fabro 5. Subs not used – J Koprivec, C Johnson, S Jackson, I Wilson.