Record breaker is bright spot in a disappointing finish for Lions

May 14 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

IN weather more suited to swimming than football, the curtain came down on a rollercoaster season for Livingston with a four-goal thriller and a share of the points at Almondvale.

After a season in which the Lions have topped the table, visited Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup, sacked one boss, suspended another and been dogged by financial rumours, the West Lothian club finished their First Division campaign in seventh position.

But their first season report card under new owner Angelo Massone reads: “Must do better” after a season which promised so much.

On Saturday, Livingston welcomed Queen of the South to Almondvale and repaid the welcome by scoring twice inside the opening ten minutes of the match.

However, the Doonhamers hit back and snatched a draw as Livi tossed away a two-goal lead for the second week in a row having to settle for yet another draw.

Had the county club, as they should have, held on to close out a victory in both of their last two matches then they would have finished the season in third place.

Back to the weekend’s game itself and the 1600 punters who took their seats in rain-lashed Almondvale were amazed the game had passed a pitch inspection with pools of water gathering all over the turf.

It was not going to be an easy afternoon for the players.

In the early going it was Livi who adjusted to the conditions quickest as they threatened to sink Queens within ten minutes.

Andy Halliday created the opener on seven minutes with an inswinging cross from the left which was prodded over the line by David Winters.

A minute later and Winters was involved again as he was felled in the area by Neil McFarlane with the referee pointing to the spot.

Kid goals Leigh Griffiths has, by his own admission, enjoyed the week of his life by winning the PFA Players Player of the Year Award for the First Division and netting for Scotland B.

And he capped it in perfect style on what could be his Almondvale bow if a recent trial with West Brom bears fruit by netting the penalty for his 22nd goal of a remarkable season.

The strike also ensured Griffiths goes down in the Livi record books as the club’s record goalscorer in a single season.

After the break the monsoon conditions eased up and the tide turned in the visitors favour and they halved the deficit with a penalty of their own — converted by former Livi hero Stevie Tosh.

And their comeback was complete on 67 minutes when defender Gerry McLaughlin turned smartly inside the Livi box and blasted a leveller.

In the end the two sides settled for a share of the spoils as the campaign ended with both Livi and Queens neck and neck on 47 points.

But the home fans were left wondering what might have been.

Back in August they roared out of the blocks under Italian Roberto Landi and won six of their first eight matches to rise to the top the table.

They dumped eventual Frist Division champs St Johnstone out of the CIS Cup on their way to a glamour draw with Celtic before a dip in form saw Landi sacked.

Paul Hegarty took over and again had a good start before both he and assistant Graeme Robertson were mysteriously suspended.

In the background of all the drama on the field was a catalogue of rumours and press stories regarding off the field problems.

Alleged non payment of debts and even players, transfer requests from players and the departure of skipper James McPake.

And even back biting from rival groups of fans have ensured 2008 / 2009 is a season which won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

But while the rumours persist everyone involved with Livingston and Scottish football hope the Lions will be back for another campaign next season and not find themselves following in the studmarks of the likes of Gretna and Clydebank who have disappeared from the senior scene in recent years.