|
Livi fans bade an emotional farewell to Jim Leishman last night – but we have found a new hero in Jamaican Theodore Whitmore. Leishman, who has quit as chief executive to return to first love Dunfermline, got an emotional send off before the Almondvale friendly against Fulham last night.
Livi chairman Dominic Keane talked warmly of Leishman's contribution to the team's success over the past eight years and told fans: "He will never be forgotten." T
Whitmore had a great debut and two-goal hero Fernando Pasquinelli was also outstanding as he scored a brace. Whitmore, who is Jamaica’s most capped player, made an instant impression. His shot on the turn after just two minutes flew wide.
Three minutes later he again had an effort at the Fulhamgoal but the sting was taken out of his drive by defender Alain Goma's legs. It was six minutes before Fulham threatened. French striker Louis Saha struck a shot from 18 yards but it was off target.
Livi had another chance to open the scoring when Whitmore delivered ball down the right to Barry Wilson who sent the ball across goal but Argentine Pasquinelli could only stretch out and although he managed to make contact, his effort went agonisingly wide.
In the 20th minute, Pasquinelli should have scored when he was through on the goalkeeper, but he hesitated slightly and blasted the ball well over the bar.
Livi had most of the position at the moment and it was no surprise when they took the lead in 23 minutes. Pasquinelli was the hero, showing great strength to hold off Goma and Martin Djetu to fire a left-foot shot past Dave Beasant in the Fulham Goal.
Seven minutes later, Livi increased their lead. Again it was a brilliant piece of finishing by Pasquinelli. He outpaced the Fulham defender to send a delightful, angled chip over Beasant.
Fulham could have got one back when Saha was through on goal but keeper Roddy McKenzie rescued Livi with a tremendous block and David McNamee blocked the rebound from Luis Boa Morte.
There was a spate of substitutions after the half time whistle. Fulham sent on Dean Leacock for Zesh Reyman.
Livi took off Andrews, Pasquinelli and Lee Makel to make way for Emmanuel Dorado, Derek Lilley and Scott McLaughlin.
McKenzie again showed his alertness with a tremendous stop from a point- blank Saha drive. Saha then headed over as Fulham continued their search for a goal.
And the same player headed a Boa Morte cross against the post.
With 12 minutes to go, Livi sent on Steven Miller for Burton O'Brien, but the match was already over, and the Livi supporters are even more confident about the start of the season.
LIVINGSTON - McKenzie, McNamee, McAllister, Makel, Andrews, Rubio, McGovern, O'Brien, Wilson, Whitmore, Pasquinelli. Subs - Dorado, Scott McLaughlin, English, Lilley, Paul McLaughlin, Miller, Main, Montgomery.
FULHAM - Beasant, Rehman, Bonnisel, Goma, Legwinski, Inamoto, Saha, Clark, Boa Morte, Malbranque, Djetou. Subs - Flitney, Leacock, Hudson, Buari, Hayles, Knight, Green.
Referee - John Underhill – 8 Not bad
