Partick 1 Livingston 1

Last updated : 12 August 2003 By Dov

Last match for Livi??
Livingston started this years SPL season away to Partick, and for a while, it looked as if the Lions were going to be just as bad as they were last season. New signings for this year included Roddy McKenzie, dodgy Jamie McAllister, Whitmore and the very active John McGovern, and Brian Kerr was on the bench after joining on loan from Newcastle for 6-months.


Livingston should have taken the lead within the first two minutes of the match, the DBM drums were banging, the Lions won a corner, and McGovern swung it in, only for Rubio (who has a heed like a biscuit tin) to glance his poor header over the bar and into the Livingston supporters. If Livingston are hoping for a better season, these are the chances you need to take.


James Grady and
Stephanne Bonnes looked dangerous for Partick, and McKenzie had to be on his guard as the pair got more active as the match went on. Grady had a penalty claim turned down when he tried to go past Andrews but the big man mountain stood his ground and used his body to ease Grady away from the ball, if given, it would have been one of the softest penalties given, but knowing Scottish Referees, and the wee tosser McDonald, anything is possible.

Whitmore was getting more active for the Lions after a slow start and forced Mikkelsen into a save, it was an easy save, but the big man is still trying to find his way in the SPL.


GOAL

Partick took the lead on the 31st minute, when Milne picked the ball up from 30 yards out, and fired an unstoppable shot past McKenzie, rattled the crossbar, and hit the back of the net, what a goal, but possibly against the run of play. We have the Brazilian manager pal, leave those goals to us in future.

It was Partick who looked the stronger side, and Livingston were lucky to go in only 1 down at half-time.

Half time – Partick Thistle 1 (Milne 31) Livingston 0

Partick came out for the second half more fired up than ever, and nearly scored straight away when Stewart Taylor's long ball almost found Thomson but Marvin Andrews was there again for the Lions and punted the ball away.

Just three minutes later, goal hero Milne beat the unimpressive Rubio and squared the ball to James Grady who should have scored, but was denied by a great save by McKenzie. Can Main walk back into the side for next weeks match against Motherwell or will McKenzie keep the number one spot??

Barry Wilson had two glorious chances to pull the Lions level. The first one, saw Wilson drift past two defenders as if they weren’t there, but fired the ball wide and well over the bar, the ball has just been found on top of Morag’s Snack Shack on Mayhill Road.

The second was an easier chance for Wilson, right in front of goal, the goalie to beat, all the hard work had been done, but Wilson fired the ball over the bar, and another great opportunity is wasted. Not long after the miss, Wilson is replaced by the fresh looking Brian Kidd.

Five minutes later Livi pulled off Whitmore, who had a not bad SPL debut and replaced him with Canadian Davide Xausa.

GOAL

With only 13 minutes to go, Livi finally got the goal they deserved, but it was down to Partick man McBride to give the Lions a chance at goal, and we had to score this one.

He tried to be too casual at the back, but Burton O'Brien closed his down and Joe Pasquinelli was there to latch onto the ball and hammer the ball past Faroes keeper Mikkelsen from a tight angle.

That set up an interesting finale, but the Lions couldn’t grab another, and had to leave Firhill with a share of the spoils, for which most supporters were happy about.

Full time – Partick Thistle 1 (Milne 31) Livingston 1 (Pasquinelli 77)