Livi Lions mauled at Hampden by royal Queen’s Park

Jul 29 2010 West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON tumbled out of the ALBA Challenge Cup at the first hurdle after a dream debut hat-trick from a player who was only drafted in following an injury in the warm-up.

The Lions were left stunned by a treble from a thrilled Graeme Eaglesham who had originally been named on the bench only to be unleashed because Michael Daly injured himself just before kick-off.

It was a day to forget for the Lions who finished with 10 men after new keeper Tony Bullock was sent packing in the final minute of extra-time.

Livi had taken a first-half lead with a first-ever senior goal for stopper Cammy MacDonald who had steered under Peter Hamilton from the inside-right position after neat interplay with Robbie Winters.

It was just reward for a strong start from the visitors who had also smashed the underside of the crossbar with a David Sinclair free-kick from the edge of the box.

But Queen’s Park levelled five minutes before the break when Eaglesham was left completely unmarked in the six-yard box where he glanced a header home.

The Spiders took the lead six minutes into extra-time after Livi keeper Bullock and left-back Chris Malone made a hash of a simple clearance.

A hopeful ball up the right drew Bullock off his line to the left touchline where he and Malone combined to attempt to clear the ball.

The latter’s kick only reached Eaglesham but he showed a flash of class to lob the ball first-time into the unguarded net from 35 yards.

Eaglesham completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after opening goalscorer MacDonald sent David Anderson sprawling.

Livingston set up a blockbuster finish when Sinclair, who went so close with a first-half free-kick, curled a cracker into the top corner from almost exactly the same position.

Just before the end Bullock was sent off after a moment of madness saw him catch the ball outside his area.

Livingston: Bullock, MacDonald, Malone, Sinclair, O'Byrne, Watson (Kyle Jacobs), Barr, Keaghan Jacobs, De Vita, Winters (McNulty), Hamill (McDowall). Subs not used: Hastings, Conway.