3rd Oct 1998 Livingston 1 Partick Thistle 0 (SFL Second Division - game 9)

matches:1998-99: ← 14game 1516 →

Match Information

			Ray Stewart		Tommy Bryce			38y, 8m, 6d
					no changes
					no changes
Paul Deas (0-1, 13 mins)
					David Kennedy
John Robertson (Brian McPhee, 76 mins); Charlie King (Grant McMartin, 83 mins); Neil Bennett (Mark McCormick, 83 mins)					Robert Dunn (Willie Callaghan, 73 mins); Graham Connell (Tommy Callaghan, 84 mins)
			Neil Alexander		Stevie Ross			33y, 8m, 6d
			Sean Sweeney		David Kennedy			31y, 11m, 26d
			Neil Bennett		Des McKeown			28y, 8m, 15d
			future Jag Paul Deas		Kevin Gaughan			20y, 6m, 27d
			former Jag Jimmy Boyle		Alan Archibald			20y, 9m, 20d
			John Millar		Graham Connell			23y, 11m, 2d
			Allan McManus		Martin Lauchlan			18y, 0m, 2d
			Charlie King		Tommy Bryce			38y, 8m, 6d
			Jim Sherry		Alan Morgan			23y, 9m, 23d
			John Robertson		Robert Dunn			19y, 3m, 5d
			David Bingham		Paul McDonald			30y, 5m, 13d
								26y, 4m, 9d
			Brian McPhee		Tommy Callaghan			29y, 1m, 5d
			Grant McMartin		Scott McArthur			30y, 7m, 5d
			Mark McCormick		Willie Callaghan			31y, 6m, 10d

Match Report

TTA report

5,402 saw high-spending Livingston open from 20 yards (13) but Thistle gradually improved. Dunn and McDonald had “goals“ disallowed and a strong claim for a pen was rejected (Lauchlan hauled down, 50). Lots of effort but lack of inspiration meant the home defence stood firm. Morgan headed wide (90).

Media report

05-Oct-1998, The Herald

ROUGH RIDE FOR THISTLE SUPPORT. THE rollercoaster ride through the away grounds of the second division for the travelling Partick Thistle supporter must be an infuriating one to be part of at times. Around 1900 of them came to Livingston on Saturday, completely packing one stand, to cheer on their team which had won all of their three away matches up until then. They gave them great support, saw a goal being chalked off for offside, were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty, and were witness to some of the most appalling shooting in front of goal they are ever likely to see from their team. Frustrating to watch, certainly, but all in all their team, full of enthusiasm but little composure, still deserved to take something from the game. Livingston huffed and puffed a lot, put together some lovely moves, but never really threatened in front of goal. Despite their victory the home side won't be getting a win bonus, a decision made by the players themselves. It seems they have told the club's board they don't want any bonuses until they are in the top two places in the division, a decision made to show they will take the extra money only when they deserve it. A commendable gesture, but with Thistle still in second place - a point ahead of them - and Inverness CT, whom they host next weekend, two points ahead of Livingston, it might be difficult to get in much more extra money unless they tighten up their game.

At the end Livingston supporters celebrated in style, among them club owner Dominic Keane, who will use the game as an example of what he wants to achieve. A crowd of 5402, a club record, packed the custom-built stadium, no doubt spurred on by the fact the admission charges again were cut in half to £4. The game itself never matched the setting or the enthusiasm of the fans. Horrendous shooting was both teams' main problem and at least six efforts troubled the supporters in the stands more than the goalkeepers - two balls were even fired over the wall and out of the stadium. It was not surprising that it was a long-range effort, albeit sweetly struck, which settled the game. With only 13 minutes on the clock full back Paul Deas played a one-two with Robertson before hitting a great shot from more than 25 yards. Afterwards Partick Thistle player/manager Tommy Bryce was not too despondent despite the defeat. “Our shooting was diabolical although at least we were making chances,” said Bryce. “The supporters were tremendous and we hope we can get back into winning ways next week.” Not surprisingly, Livingston manager Ray Stewart was in upbeat mood. “This was a great result for us,” said Stewart. “It was a tight game and, with only a one-goal advantage, we could never relax. We play Inverness next week at home and, if we can get a result there, it will show the progress we are making.”

Stats Watch

● Thistle make their first-ever visit to Almondvale Stadium.

ongoing sequences:

● 18 consecutive competitive appearances for Martin Lauchlan, 21st Mar 1998 to date, a new personal best. (Longest run since: Alan Archibald - 34 games, 18th Oct 1997 to 29th Aug 1998. Club-record: Johnny Jackson - 313 games, 28th Aug 1926 to 25th Mar 1933.)

Stats Watch adheres to our stated definitions of League, League Max, Major Competitive, Competitive or All Games. Where there is no written qualification, you should presume that the Stat in question is compiled from the All Games criteria.

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