The Thistle Archive

Media report

08-Nov-2003, bbc.com

LIVINGSTON SINK JAGS. First half goals from Derek Lilley and Lee Makel gave Livingston a comfortable win over Partick Thistle at the City Stadium. The home side were good value for their victory over the Premier League's bottom side and dominated the early procedings. Despite an improvement from the visitors in the second half, the West Lothian men always looked in control. Partick Thistle remain the only side in Britain without a league win and have picked up just two points from 12 games. The visitors lined up with a 4-5-1 formation with James Grady up front on his own and began enthusiastically, closing Livingston down all over the pitch and not letting the home players settle.

The first effort of the game came from the home side in the fifth minute when David Fernandez set up John Paul McGovern on the edge of the Thistle box, but the midfielder's volley was comfortably saved by Kenny Arthur. In the 16th minute, the Jags carved out a decent chance when Jamie Mitchell and John Paul McBride combined to feed Grady but the little striker's first time shot went wide of the post. Almost immediately the home side hit back and Fernandez left Thistle defender David Lilley in his wake on the left but his cut-back was flicked just wide by Lilley. In the 26th minute Livingston took the lead after midfielder Burton O'Brien was upended just inside the box by David Rowson. Referee Alan Freeland pointed to the spot and Lilley hammered the ball past Arthur for his fourth goal in four league games. With half an hour gone, Grady beat the Livingston offside trap but keeper Roddy McKenzie was quick off his line to foil the former Ayr United player. Right on the half time whistle, Jags defender Derek Whyte lost possession to Fernandez and, when the Spaniard crossed into the box, Makel shot past Arthur from 14 yards to double the home side's lead.

In the 57th minute Jags substitute Gerry Britton almost unlocked the Livingston defence with a lovely chip from the byline but no Thistle players were on hand to take advantage. Then Britton took a pass from Grady and surged towards the Livingston box - but lost his balance and shot high over the bar. In the 63rd minute Livingston broke quickly with McGovern who sent Lovell through with a defence splitting pass but the Australian's powerful shot was well saved by Arthur. Moments later at the other end Britton was left with a great chance when the ball broke to him only 10 yards from goal but the veteran striker lost his feet and fluffed his kick. Then Livingston ran up the park and only a great double save from Arthur, first from Fernandez and then from Lovell, kept the score down. With four minutes remaining Arthur again came to the rescue for the visitors when he pushed a deflected McGovern shot onto the crossbar when the ball looked net-bound. A minute later, as the Jags went for broke, the hapless Britton missed a sitter when he mis-kicked with only McKenzie to beat.

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