- 8 months ago
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00:00Thanks again Jonathan, it was a first half that began well for Partick Thistle, they
00:08had plenty of possession in Livingston, final third, they couldn't find a goal, as it was
00:18it was Livingston who were more clinical once again, Jamie Brandon the captain coming up
00:22with the only goal of the first half to give his side a three goal advantage now in the
00:28tie is Andrew Shinney and Danny Finlayson come on for the second period, Muirhead and
00:37Brandon perhaps get a little bit of a rest ahead of Thursday's first leg of the play-off
00:49Final
00:59Back under way, absolute mountain for Partick Thistle to climb
01:09don't rule anything out but it does feel unlikely
01:12you think those changes Lianna are David Mundell starting to think ahead to Thursday or is it
01:23you were suggesting he wasn't entirely happy, can't imagine he would be taking the golden
01:28score off, yeah I mean I think it might be a bit of both to be honest I think performance wise
01:33now he's an early decision in the second half Kevin Clancy just turns away as Andrew Shinney
01:40hits the deck, right on the edge of the box, maybe just inside, yeah it'd be interesting to see it again
01:47Al, certainly from up here it looked clumsy at best from Dan O'Reilly, if that's given us a foul
01:54that's also got to be a red card, you would assume, you would expect so, yeah you definitely would
02:02get a look at it now, Partick Thistle causing their own problems initially
02:08Dan O'Reilly, Shinney just get, I think anywhere else in the pitch it's a foul is it not
02:16yeah Dan O'Reilly's very lucky, very lucky
02:22I think it could have been the worst start to the second half imaginable
02:27if you lose a fourth goal in the tie and you go down to 10 players as well
02:31but just to go back to the changes Al, I would expect, James touched on it at halftime as well
02:39you would expect Livingston to really kick on in the second half now, go and take a real grip
02:45of the game, they've got the freshness, they've got the ability to bring on quality
02:51it's Louis Smith onside, no he's not, flags up, he doesn't even bother trying to finish it
02:56Shinney trying the reverse pass, clever run from Smith, maybe just slightly early
03:04yeah it certainly looked to me that he'd gone just marginal, I think Banigan does just enough
03:09he realises he's caught Banigan and he just holds his run, the right thing to do as long as the
03:14assistant referee puts his flag up, maybe come again though, Smith for Montagno, misses it all together
03:23Kelly will gather
03:26but just from starting to this second period from the home side
03:31Fraser is looking for Kelly but it's behind him and Tate will have to mop up
03:43certainly the start to the half just feels like part of this defensively and wide open
03:50Livingston have taken hold in their performance
03:58it's in by Macbeth, Wallace is fouled
04:03six points total this season of 70, it would have been enough to actually win the league in two of the last three
04:22seasons, more than Dundee and Kelly had when they were triumphant winning the championship
04:27so it has been a good season overall for David Martindale's side
04:32again just losing out on the final day to Falkirk
04:41Brian McGill with the armbar now in Brandon's absence
04:46Riley into Chalmers
04:59Fitzpatrick
05:02with him
05:11looks like he's just overrun that, Mago gets the break of the ball for Thistle, he was just caught
05:18but manages to get the pass off to Lawless and Mago has continued his run, fires it across goal
05:24very similar position from which he put in the cross that Tate turned into his own net a couple
05:30of weeks back but on this occasion it's Wilson who diverts it around the post for a corner
05:36yeah it's really good, good play from Megwatt, under lap and run
05:41nobody can get there and Wilson just does enough to turn it behind
05:47Stevie Lawless then with the in swinging corner, it's a good one but it's well dealt with
05:56try and counter here, Bannigan will be beaten through by Tate and then after a lengthy protest
06:03by Macaulay Tate the referee gives Livingston the free kick and shows Stuart Bannigan the yellow card
06:16I think I said first few and I didn't think that Stuart Bannigan had done an awful lot wrong if I'm honest
06:21perhaps a slight grab of the shirt maybe, Kevin Clancy seen it from the reverse angle
06:28he didn't have that vantage point up here, yeah it took a while to actually decide what he was going to do
06:37I thought he was going to let him away with it
06:40so fans are still in good voice you'd have to say and they've followed their team in good numbers
06:54once more, it looks like it's going to be another season outside of the top flight for them
07:01and of course they get to decide who their permanent manager is going to be, I mean
07:10for me the application from Brian Graham and Mark Wilson whether it's a joint one or individually
07:17the very fact that they've got to this point looks like they're going to just fall short of this stage
07:22but it's been a pretty good application isn't it, yeah I think they've done really well and it was
07:26interesting listening to Iain Barraclough on Tuesday night as well speaking about how well
07:31Mark has been able to dovetail Brian Graham in terms of his position and what struck me though
07:37was his comment around making those decisions in a pressurized environment when you're on the pitch
07:41as well so I just wonder how that would look, you know if Brian did get the job would Mark still be
07:47alongside and would he be expected to stop playing and step back and actually have it in a
07:53full-time coaching capacity, I don't know but I do think there'll be another few candidates certainly
07:58in the mix and if things stay the same tonight I would expect things to move pretty quickly
08:03A good advantage played there by Kevin Clancy, Kelly couldn't slip it for Montano though
08:08here comes Megwa Crawford trying to keep up with him, Megwa trying to find him but
08:16again in this second half as on Tuesday this will just beginning to look a little bit weary
08:23but here they come once more it's Crawford, Patrick, no foul
08:34Smith picks up
08:37for the Knackies man
08:41now Finlayson
08:43so
08:52trying to drag Thistle forwards good run from Fitzpatrick he's still going well he might well have slipped in
09:03one of his teammates to the left hand side or Graham to the right went for goal himself blocked by
09:09Willison, I cannot believe he chose to ignore his teammates in that moment, what a distance
09:16Chalmers in a great position and I thought Brian Graham was in probably equally as good a position
09:21opening the right hand side putting in his path on his strongest side
09:26really team effort, it's those types of moments as well I think the decision making we spoke about
09:32in the first half the final detail the final one percent from Patrick Thistle over the two games
09:37has just not been there, decision making, quality of the final ball, the type of finish, the quality of the finish
09:51well he did the first part really well aiding Fitzpatrick
09:55and this is what he's probably not done enough of over the two games he's actually driving the players
10:00to be fair Chalmers would have been offside I think by the time he was going to release it
10:38be okay though I think Thistle need is yet another injury so he takes his eye off the ball
10:54it's a short option, Ingle gives him it, Fraser steps across him though and just needs a heavy touch
11:02Crawford's free kick to the side
11:10Crawford does well, he's working back in, he helps out Kanaiwe Megwatt who'd been dispossessed
11:16initially and it must be difficult now looking at Patrick Thistle on the stage of the game I mean
11:2156 minutes almost on the clock they've gone to the well so many times in the last number of weeks
11:27looking at Mark Wilson trying to motivate the players trying to get them to keep doing what
11:33he's asking them to do, use the pitch, get touchline wide, drop into pockets of space but
11:38I think it's a situation now where your head's probably telling you one thing
11:41and your legs are telling you another if you're a farted Thistle player
11:57Wilson fires it forward looking for Shinny O'Reilly's in the way
12:08Wallace, Frank back there, Living are going to make another couple of changes
12:14bringing on Yenge and May and this is the luxury they have in comparison to Patrick Thistle who
12:20as we've said the bench is very very light looking and I mean Livingston you would
12:28probably put that squad into the Premiership I think you know that's a pretty decent
12:32Premiership squad as well I think Livingston are the only side that have got a squad strong
12:37enough to go and challenge the team that finishes second bottom in the Premiership in my opinion
12:42Danby with a good effort here but a good stop also by Priort
12:54Here's Kelly, Vanaghan with him, that's good play from Vanaghan, he doesn't know his experience there
13:13but just to get back to those changes out looking at both players down in the touchline
13:27waiting to come on
13:30well that was Vanaghan, Owen Smith and he's been booked
13:37and that's the question or the point that David Martindale is putting to the fourth official there
13:42I mean on a yellow card already that is like if he if he's not on a yellow card
13:50he's going to be shown a yellow card that's the reality
13:55look on those changes as Montano is the first player to make way
14:12up comes Yengi and Lewis Smith also making his way off to be replaced by
14:21Stevie May whose parent club St Johnston are already on the way down to the Championship
14:30looking at the prospect of him not being able to play in the
14:33final had St Johnston been in 11th place but clearly that
14:37possibility is now gone
14:44and it really is unbelievable strength and depth Livingston have got to the squad
14:48especially at this stage of the season to have the squad fit and available probably tells you
14:54the luxury they've had at points in the season how well they've recruited and having strength
14:58and depth right across the pitch, Chalmers for Fitzpatrick tries to check back inside but
15:03unsuccessfully
15:10it's given away by Bannigan at Dow Shinny
15:13who tries to feed May but there's a knick from a Thistle player there
15:21I think Stuart Bannigan recovers his own misplaced pass
15:34so
15:44I mean I'm not really entirely sure what part of this will do at this stage of the game
15:49they just now try and keep the score respectable they throw a couple of young players on at some
15:56point just to see them and give them the opportunity certainly Alex Jakubiak is there
16:03and I would expect would come on at some point
16:08it just feels they need something something higher up the pitch just to allow them to get out
16:16Megwa bundled off the ball there gets a free kick
16:33so
16:55one by Shinny but Stanley who picks up
16:58it's definitely not working for Logan Chalmers I think that
17:14passing your play probably just sums up his evening to be honest he's just not offered enough
17:20in possession I think he's the type of player a flair player creativity you look to him to go and
17:26create those moments and whether it's been his decision making his final ball tonight
17:31he just hasn't been there
17:34Yankee dispossessed by Crawford but also almost wins the back there Yankee cleared by Mitchell
17:41one by Fraser
17:56so
18:16he's just not clicking right now for the visitors
18:27he's slacking Crawford as well tired looking pass allows Fraser to pick up Shinny goes in
18:35there's too much pressure to be able to bring it under control he's gone out of play
18:47so
19:07they're such an experienced side when they do that as well it's not by chance
19:11they're forcing these moments they understand the moments you need to kill the game
19:14stop it if you caught the transitional moments they make those professional fouls they just
19:20knock the stuffing and the wind out of the opposition and they've managed to do that
19:24actually back to middle Thistle have probably been able to compete you know as well they had
19:28a huge part to play in the first half and how they move the ball and dominating the
19:33the game to a certain extent
19:45already on the yellow cards
19:50yeah it could be that's going to come on here for
19:54Aidan Fitzpatrick
20:03you would expect part of this one to change the shape in some capacity
20:08trying to get closer and up alongside Brian Graham
20:12Graham
20:34looks as if Fulton Chalmers is going to clear off the
20:37that's going straight to Yankee by O'Reilly but this will pick back up
20:48quality preventing it getting to Jakubiak though
21:06so
21:19can't fault the backing from the Thistle fans
21:22Leanne looks like going to be disappointed again but it's a terrific support they've got
21:28they've been excellent again all season they've backed them everywhere they went
21:32even at this stage of the game at three nil down in the tie they're right behind them
21:38trying to give them the energy they need to just stay in the game
21:41unbelievably there from the quality it was back with Stephen Kelly
21:48rifles one just wide
21:54probably watched him not too long ago in the season he scored a double that night
22:00and I think he's at the type of season and performance again tonight that
22:03he's well within his rights to go and have a go just doesn't get the connection he's after
22:08here's Stevie May looking to lift it over Mitchell absolutely wonderful from Stevie May
22:17it's job done
22:19flee on the faces of all in yellow and black because they know they are heading to the playoff
22:27final some just finish that's an absolute joke is what it is an absolute joke from Stevie May
22:36there's not many players on the pitch that would have the vision and the technical ability just
22:41there's not many players on the pitch that would have the division
22:45and the technical ability just to execute it so it makes it look so easy
22:52I mean David Mitchell again I don't think he's painted himself in glory just by moving his feet
22:59I don't think he's expecting it it really is a touch of class and we spoke about the strength
23:04and depth and the quality to bring a player of Stevie May's quality and ability off the
23:10bench in the second half and produce that type of goal and moment in the game really is outstanding
23:20Stevie May's 10th goal in his stint at Livingston on loan from St John's Stint
23:27his last goal came in the challenge cup final that was a special one
23:31it might not be the prolific scorer he was in his youth at times but
23:42he's still capable of moments of real quality
23:52he certainly had a hand in Livingston season no doubt you look at the goals he scored the way
23:58he's contributed his performances but I don't think just that I think that the type of player
24:02he is in person off the pitch certainly the experience and the career that he's had as well
24:09it's a level of experience you literally cannot buy
24:19you just feel now it really is that much limitation for Patrick Thistle
24:23they've got to just try and take this thing out of the game themselves now
24:28fate has very much been served
24:34yeah playing for pride really now two nil down on the night four nil down in the tie
24:44there's no coming back from that on this stage
24:47to get themselves a goal and actually Kubiak drives into the penalty area
25:05that's good play from Kubiak, it's direct, it's wise, it's brought into the game
25:11Livingston have adjusted that black wall defensively
25:17Chalmers with a corner attacked by Wilson, it's well clear but they're about to make their fifth
25:23and final change of the night, who's ready to come on as Chalmers tries to sweep it back in, it's away by Finlayson
25:30Big one, sends it long, easy for Wilson to just nod down to Fraser
25:41Chalmers tries to flick it beyond Finlayson who does really well to win it back for Levy and now it's Yengi
26:05almost picking out Pittman with the cutback
26:17I mean there's 20 minutes to go in the game, Livingston don't yet look finished
26:23Fissle's concern
26:37he's going to come on for Fissle
26:54certainly McAuliffe stayed on the pitch, there's going to be a slight change
27:02back to Scott Pittman, he's been replaced
27:16rest for Pittman ahead of two-legged final to come Thursday and following Monday
27:23I mean the turnaround in those games is a little bit kind of concerning the fixtures have been this week but once you get through the first time the second one's going to come really quickly
27:38McAuliffe played for Thistle, played against Thistle for Ayr in the play-off a couple of seasons back, he also helped carry Thistle to the play-off season before that
28:08he's another player out that's been about in the championship, understands the demands, at points probably finds himself really unfortunate that he doesn't start more games, now for David Martindale certainly the second half of the season, end of the play-off but not a bad player to be bringing on at this stage of the game as well
28:36Mitchell manages to find a pass to Maguire, just alleys the pass and allows McAuliffe to come in
29:06McBeth, Wallace was waiting on it, Dait wasn't, he's been kept in by McBeth
29:24McKenzie looking to release Chalmers, not a bad drive and Finlayson was there first
29:42Kelly trying to release Yenge, McBeth who's been knocked off the ball though, he'll come livey once more, he sends blood and it's Shinnie, cut out well by Maguire, great challenge from Maguire
30:05Good play from Shinnie, good play from Livingstone, he's just wondering if David Martindale might want his players to relax a bit, enjoy having the ball a bit more but every time they got on it they're still looking to try and add to the goal tally, the final play-off games are going to come thick and fast
30:27Dait managing to hold off May under significant pressure, Peter Foley looking for Yacubiaku and made the run
30:57Good play from Greer, McKenzie can he get it out of his feet, body's in the way at the end
31:19It will be interesting to hear from David Martindale at the end of the game just to see what he's made of the performance because as much as his side look so comfortable in the tie, they've won two goals in each game so far, I still don't think they've shown the levels of control that he would have wanted, I don't think tonight they've controlled and dictated the game as well as he would have wanted
31:46Good play from Shinnie, Finlayson
32:01McKenzie's loose with his pass, Shinnie tries to get it back but it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's
32:31not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to
33:01go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in, it's not going to go in.
33:32Livingston at the other hand, if you go from A to B, there's plenty of light with the freshness
33:37that they've got on the pitch.
33:39Livingston straight into Kelly, that's another good game in the heart of the midfield for
34:04Kelly.
34:05Trying to feed that forward for Fraser, can't get past Lawless though.
34:10Crawford picks up, brings it back in to Lawless.
34:14Graham, trying to run for the shot, maybe on his left foot there.
34:20Goes down, he gets the free kick.
34:23Brian Graham does well, I actually thought he was going to look to try and get his shot
34:33off, but I think he's smart enough to realise that the angle of the opener wasn't quite there.
34:38A combination of ankle here and tired legs in that challenge from Brian Graham.
34:46Not so tired that he doesn't want to take those free kicks.
34:49No.
34:54Going for 1-0-1, Thistle colours.
34:59Not far away from finding it, but far enough.
35:06That's a similar type of effort to Logan Chalmers in the first half, always searching for the
35:15top corner but the ball's always rising.
35:17An element of frustration in the strike as well from Brian Graham.
35:47Free kick.
35:58I would imagine it will be a busy weekend for David Martindale and his staff as they
36:05look to prepare for those games, making sure they cover all bases tomorrow in the games
36:11that will play out.
36:17It's probably the first time that I can clearly remember in a number of years when you get
36:22to these play-off games out that probably squad depth and the strength of the squad
36:26just now won't be an excuse in terms of the side looking to progress up from the championship.
36:32I think Livingstone will be a good match for whoever it is that finishes in that play-off position.
36:47One of the Thistle youngsters about to get a run out here from the closing stages.
37:13Looks like Liam Dolan.
37:19Slips it in to Fraser.
37:27Straight away in post by Macbeth.
37:36I suppose if there's any positives to take from tonight it is the opportunity now that
37:40you can get these young players into the game, give them a taste for it.
37:46Certainly looks as if it's been something that's probably at a point been forced upon
37:51Brian Graham and Mark Wilson since being in the role.
37:54James mentioned it earlier, they're the walking winded when you look at the squad and how
37:59depleted they are.
38:00Interesting to glance to our right to see the likes of Lee Ashcroft, Sean Kelly, Kyle
38:05Turner all sitting in the rectors box rather than taking part.
38:11He would have said they've added something to this little squad and out.
38:15Back to Kelly, he's annoyed with himself there.
38:46Big moment for Liam Dolan.
38:50Comes on for the closing stages.
38:53Here comes Dolan again.
39:18Liam Dolan who's just signed his first professional contract with the club.
39:3116 years old.
39:32That's a huge positive as I alluded to earlier on.
39:45The fact that young Liam Dolan has come into the game off the back of signing that contract
39:51as you mentioned.
39:53Patrick Thistle will be hoping, like Jamie Lowe, certainly coming into the playoff matches.
39:59Such a bright prospect.
40:01You've got to bring these types of players through your club.
40:05You've got to give them a platform to go and play and get them into these games and experience it.
40:23Another playoff this evening.
40:38East Fife have come out on top and will make the step up to League One.
40:46And relegated as a result of that one-inch draw tonight.
40:494-3 on aggregate to the Cambo side.
41:02This former side of course back in the championship next season in the shape of Arbroath.
41:07Are you looking forward to having them back now?
41:15Definitely.
41:16Enjoy a trip to Garefield?
41:20Always.
41:21They were up in a wee championship side so I'm really looking forward to seeing what they've got to bring.
41:37As long as Dave Campbell is taking it, I wouldn't wish he'd been able to be here.
41:46He's unbelievable as well. Another promotion.
41:56Chalmers, good footwork.
41:59Forward to Jakubiak.
42:06Wallace, back to McKenzie.
42:18Now Chalmers, can he get a consolation goal and twist his way through?
42:37You do wonder now what this Patrick Thistle team will look like next season as well.
42:43No doubt they'll have the ambition to challenge and compete again.
42:48A minimal requirement in terms of the playoffs is how it's looked over the last number of years.
42:54We'll see who the management team will be next season.
43:00You just wonder where it will leave Brian Graham in his position if he doesn't get the managerial job.
43:10I can't help but feel it's a really important appointment.
43:29Wonderly over Andrew Shearie.
44:29Dan O'Reilly has now moved out to left-back to accommodate young Liam Dolan who's gone at left-centre-back.
44:40I know we've said it already tonight but the Patrick Thistle fans, to their credit, are still over there.
44:49Just hitting the 89-minute mark and they're still there in fine voice as well.
44:54Time quickly running out.
45:01Liam, looking for your man of the match nomination for tonight?
45:06There's been a few in terms of the second-half performance and probably the importance of the goals for Livingstone.
45:12I've watched him all season and for me it's Stephen Kelly.
45:15The job that he does in the middle of the pitch for Livingstone.
45:18He's an unsung hero at points and goes about his business really well.
45:23Tonight's been another performance like that.
45:25He's the engine room of everything that they do and he's so tidy in terms of his performance.
45:29But he makes players around him better and that's not always easy.
45:33So for me, the player of the match tonight will be Stephen Kelly.
45:37Here he is, finding Iengie who can't quite shift the ball and get a shot away.
45:43Brian Graham surely coming back from an offside position but perhaps not.
45:48Certainly the back doesn't go up.
45:50Jakubiak takes it on.
45:52Brian Graham wants it back again but Jakubiak is down a kildee sack.
45:58Kevin Clancy looks at his watch.
46:01No injury time and Livingstone take their place in the play-off final thanks to goals from Stevie May and their captain in the first half, Jamie Brandon.
46:13A wonderful finish from Stevie May, rolling back the years to make it 2-0 on the night and 4-0 overall.
46:22Ultimately, a deserved victory in the tie for David Martindale's side.
46:29Just too good, too strong for Patrick Thistle in the end.
46:34For Thistle, it will be championship life for another season at least.
46:41For Livy, an opportunity against either Dundee or Ross County to take on the 11th place side on Thursday.
46:55And then next Monday, a two-legged affair to see who will play in the Premiership next season.
47:04The Thistle fans, their backing has been excellent but it's the Livingstone fans who will celebrate tonight.
47:13As the two managers come together at Avonvale, it is finished.
47:23Livingstone 2, Patrick Thistle 2.