Back us...don’t boo us pleads Livi boss
Martindale calls on fans to rally round after defeat
David Martindale has called on Livingston fans to back the team after boos rained down at the Tony Macaroni Arena following their 1-0 home loss to St Mirren.
Ethan Erhahon’s 29th minute strike was all that separated the sides but questions will be asked of Lions keeper Max Stryjek, who let a routine save go under his arms and into the net.
The loss made it six defeats in eight games to start the campaign and Martindale has hit out at the reaction following the full-time whistle.
He said: “We’ve been a victim of our own success recently and that’s probably why the fans are booing, because they’re expecting us just to be in the top six. I think it’s got to be put into perspective.
“The players hear the shouts as well. I don’t care what anybody says, I don’t think they deserved to lose that game.
“Do I think we were the better team? Yes, I do. Do I think we had the better chances? Yes, I do.
“But it’s football. So support. There’s a clue in the name – supporters. I just think ‘Would you pay your money to come and abuse people? Maybe it’s just me.”
The game was far from easy on the eye with the spectacle at times matching the horrendous weather – but Livi created more than enough to take something from the contest.
The game’s first shot on target arrived midway through the first half when Stephane Omeonga’s neat play led to Odin Bailey angling a drive from the left that was parried by Jak Alnwick.
But just as the hosts were beginning to look the better side, they fell behind.
The Buddies launched a quick counter-attack from a Livi corner which led to Marcus Fraser teeing up Erhahon, whose angled drive across goal somehow found the bottom corner when Stryjek looked well placed to make a comfortable save.
The Lions almost found an equaliser within six minutes when Andrew Shinnie’s wonderful pass found James Penrice charging into the box but Alnwick was able to palm the ball away at his near post.
They went even closer on the stroke of half-time when Bailey’s corner was teed up into the path of Ayo Obileye with the centreback’s fierce strike seemingly destined for the net before being hooked off the line.
Having ended the first half on top, Livi started the second brightly and went close to levelling things when the ball fell perfectly for Bailey in a congested penalty box, only for the on loan Birmingham winger’s strike to be deflected over the bar.
At the other end, Matthew Millar tested Stryjek with a header but the Polish stopper was able to get down to his right to make the save while substitute Curtis Main also saw his tame effort saved by the keeper.
In a final throw of the dice, Jack Hamilton was introduced for the Lions – but it was the visitors who scored almost instantly after the change when Connor McCarthy contrived to blaze over from six yards out when unmarked from a free-kick.
Livingston would have plenty of attacking possession in the closing stages but were unable to fashion a genuine opportunity as they fell to another disappointing defeat.
Martindale added: “Overall, I felt we deserved more from the game, but I’m talking about getting beat again.
“It’s a goalkeeping mistake and he has got to save it. But we can’t let the counter-attack take place.
“You make your own luck in life, so you need to get on with it.”