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What with quite a few games and winners and losers to cover, this Month’s Review is being generously sponsored by Dominic Keane! Yes folk’s, he tells me I can have £3 million to write this, well within his overdraft limit! Can’t wait to spend that cash…
The merry month of March will probably be remembered for some time by the devout and sometimes pungent Livi faithful. But not for the first game of the month, a rather dire Cup quarter final at Aberdeen. If you didn’t like games involving Aberdeen, this month really wasn’t the one for you. A completely dire game of footy, Russell Anderson knocked in an own goal to give Livi the lead, before Leigh Be-Hinds equalised. That was actually pretty much it in terms of entertainment. The Livi defence was once again the plus point, with Marv the best player on show.
But not to worry, for we had a Cup Final to attend! And so didst the Livi faithful not descend upon Hampden. And lo, was the first half not somewhat pish? And lo, didst Lee Makel not then spot young Bobo and deliver a cross-field ball? And lo didst Burton not say “F$%k me!?” And lo didst he not then shephard the ball unto the deadly right boot of Christs only begotten half cousin Derek? And lo! Didst he not smite the Hibees harder than an American soldier does a PoW?
If you answered yes to all the the above, well done. Try this question.
And lo, didst not two minutes later David, the man who had fallen from the grace of the amber shirt but returned, slip a lovely ball through to Jamie Mac? And lo, didst he not also smite the unclean with a mighty bolt from the very depths of his left peg? And didst not 37000 Hibees make like Elton and split? And didst not the Livi faithful go mental? And didst not wee Scott Brown start crying like a bairn, cos David didst rip the pish? And did not Lovell lift the shiny Cup? And didst not we all get slightly merry?
And the Lord saw all this, and said it was good.
The CIS Cup win has been written about all over the shop. All I’d say is that it was a fantastic achievement for everyone connected with Livingston FC, players, coaching staff, backroom staff, and most importantly, me.
Moving on, we had a replay with Aberdeen to navigate. And navigate it we did, thanks to the sterling finish supplied from Burton O’Brien when the Dons keeper decided to badly clear the ball, then take a bite out of Fernandez’s arse. Munch-tastic. Xander Diamond was later sent off for a foul on the marauding McNamee as Livi coasted it. Full marks again to the defence, and especially to the wing backs. One sour note was Jamie Mac being harshly booked, and missing the semi-final.
Well begger me if I don’t have to write about another game with Aberdeen. Which I do, thus saving me from a rather undignified beggering. Off up to Pittodrie for a League game. Wholesale changes were made, the back five remaining the same, the front five consisting of Brittain, McLaulin, McGovern, McMenamin and Pasq. The youngsters did okay for themselves, with Colin getting an early goal, supplied by McCurry.
After that it was dire. Aberdeen thought they had grabbed a point with a late goal, only for burton to come off the bench and piss on their point. He also scored a late winner.
I don’t know how tired the players were after the long run of games they had, but I’m already knackered writing about them.
Dundee united were next to visit the ‘Vale, and a very exciting game was produced. David McNamee scored a cracker to celebrate his Scotland call-up, and Scott McLaughlin got his first goal for the Lions with an exquisitely taken volley, but sadly, two late flaps from Roddy meant Utd won 3-2, after a pulsating game. Fernandez played well, but David McNamee was the best player on show.
And finally, a goalless draw with dunfermline. McNamee limped off, and his replacement, JP Not-fit-to-Govern muffed our best scoring chance.
So a busy month for our heroes (and JP) with many games being played and a major trophy now residing at Almondvale. Winners and Losers is gonna be hard, as I refuse to make everyone a winner. I’m far too harsh a critic for that.
Winners
David McNamee – Is on his best run of form since joining us. His pace and his attacking instincts have many opposition players sitting on a turtles head. Fully merits his Scotland call-up. Had a good game in the CIS Cup final, and really used it as a springboard. Top Lad.
Stuart Lovell – He was the Man of the Match in our biggest game ever. The one time we needed balls and leadership he showed he had an abundance of both. Has been criticised for his lack of pace and adventure. But he got to pick up a shiny cup, and his critics didn’t. Freedom of Livingston, I say!
David Hay – What a man. The guy is top class. Dignified, knowledgeable and a gentleman. The man has been present when we have won the First Division, qualified for Europe, got to two Scottish Cup semi-finals and won a major trophy. Also has become one of a select few to win every major honour in Scotland. The story of him, Preston, Kirkwood, and Hegarty all running out at an empty Hampden to play with the Cup brought a smile to my face. Davie Hay has now achieved the Spike Order of Merit. This enables him to sleep with the wife of every reader of this review. Whilst the reader cheers him on.
“Go on Davie, my son!”
Losers –
37,000 Hibs fans - Didn’t get their moneys worth as they all left after 50 minutes.
I’ve managed to avoid putting JP on the losers, as he did set up a goal against Aberdeen. Also, signs of improvement from him in April, so he avoids it for another month.
As usual, anyone with summink to say can e-mail livispike@hotmail.com
What a month, eh? If Davie Hay knocks on your door, let him in, make the wife spruce herself up, and offer him a cuppa. It’s the least you can do.
Thanks again to Dom Keane, the bank have just called and I need to put the review into administration. Tiit.
elsexy Spike