Italian revolution is in full swing for the late show

Aug 28 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON have amassed as many league points after just four league games as they did after 10 last season.

The Italian revolution of the Lions is now in full swing.

And at the weekend boss Roberto Landi masterminded another three points as he led them to a second 2-1 victory in a row.

On Saturday, Clyde came to West Lothian and were conquered thanks to another goal from starlet Leigh Griffiths who grabbed an 86th minute winner for the homesters.

It wasn’t an easy victory against a stubborn and physical Clyde side who took a first-half lead before being pegged back by the Lions.

In fact Clyde should have scored inside the first quarter of an hour after Pat Clarke skipped past Chris Innes and charged in on Pierre Martini’s goal but the young keeper made a good stop.

The visitors did take the lead though after 29 minutes when Scott Gemmill threaded a pass through to Clarke and he guided the ball inside the far post.

But this newly assembled Livi side are not one who roll over and accept defeat and they quickly fought back onto level terms.

Winger Anthony McParland grabbed the equaliser on 39 minutes after side stepping a series of challenges on the edge of the box before drilling a low shot beyond the diving David Hutton and into the bottom corner.

The second half saw Livi enjoy the lions share of the game but they needed a flying save from Martini to keep out a Chris Higgins header and prevent Clyde taking the lead.

And with just four minutes left on the clock the hosts grabbed the winner when 18 year old Griffiths raced onto a long ball and blasted the ball through Hutton’s legs for his sixth goal of the season.

Livingston: Martini, Mackay, Talbot (Cave 71), McPake, Fox, Innes, McPartland (Cuenca 58), Davidson, Quinn, Griffiths, Hamill. Subs Not Used: Millar, Torrance, McKenzie.