Young Lions find it tough in Italy

Apr 23 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE next generation of Livingston top-team stars completed their very own Italian Job recently when they took part in a highly-rated tournament in Rimini.

Participation in the Daniele Pecci tournament was the fruition of work carried out by former assistant manger Valter Berlini and provided the under-13 side with the chance to pit their footballing wits against some of Europe’s most exciting prospects.

Community coach Leigh Robertson accompanied the boys on their trip and put them through their paces on the training field as the West Lothian youngsters tried to acclimatise themselves to the searing continental heat.

The first game saw Livi lock horns with FC Carpi but a tough first half saw them trailing by six goals at the break.

A half-time switch in tactics, largely to combat the unusual 3-6-1 formation deployed by the Italians, saw the junior Lions keep a second half clean sheet but ultimately lose out 6-0.

Next up were Chievo Verona who also blasted Livi away in a sensational first-half.

They led 5-0 at the break but once again Livingston tightened up in the second period and kept a clean sheet.

The final game was a much closer affair as the youngsters seemed to be getting a grip on the heat and the style of play the Italians enjoyed.

This time the opponents were Ravenna and the more disciplined and composed Livi teens kept the scoreline down and lost by a single goal.

After being knocked out of the tournament at the group stage the county starlets played a friendly match against Danish side AGF Aarhus before making the journey home.

In this fixture they did manage to score the first goal of their European adventure but unfortunately they conceded a few more to lose 6-1.

Despite the disappointment of losing all their games Leigh Robertson insists the trip will prove to be of real benefit to the development of the aspiring footballers.

She said: “It was a great experience and one which can only help our young players in their development.”