Half-time intervention from boss Bollan sparked five-goal second-half says Devon Jacobs

Mar 31 2011 by Eric Mackinnon, West Lothian Courier

Half-time intervention from boss Bollan sparked five-goal second-half says Devon Jacobs

DEVON JACOBS has revealed a half-time talking to from boss Gary Bollan sparked Livingston’s five-star fightback which has taken them to within touching distance of the Second Division title.

The Lions were trailing at half-time to bottom side Peterhead with their proud unbeaten home record on the line in midweek.

And full-back Jacobs insists there may have been no way back if Bollan hadn’t fired up his side with an inspiring team-talk during the half-time break.

Jacobs said: “We started off a wee bit rocky in the first half but then we came in at half-time and the gaffer had a wee word with everyone.

“We came out and changed things in the second half with a great performance.

“The gaffer was a bit disappointed with how we had played in the opening 45 minutes and gave us a good talking to. I think we showed our ability after the break.

“The difference was we were more fired up and managed to get the ball down more and pass the ball around.

“Once the first goal went in, we were buzzing and then we started to get the rewards for all the passing and effort we were putting in.”

Next up for the league leaders is a titanic scrap with second-place Brechin City, in which a win for Livi would take them to just four points from the title.

But Jacobs stresses the Brechin match is as far as the players are looking ahead.

He continued: “We have taken another big step towards the title and Ayr losing again has been another bonus and if we can beat Brechin next, we’ll move even closer but we aren’t taking anything for granted.

“We aren’t far away and if we can keep the winning run going and show we are good enough, we will win the league – but it won’t be easy.

“No one here is thinking we have won the league already and we are all keeping your heads up and eye on the next game where we will keep fighting and try to win every game.”

The 19-year-old, one of three Jacobs siblings on the books of the club, has been in and out of the side this season.

But he insists he is loving life with the Lions and says he was always hopeful he could win back his spot in the starting line-up.

He added: “ I lost my place after the Brechin game last month which was disappointing but I always believed I could force my way back into the team. Hopefully I did enough to keep my place.

“I’m loving it here and we all have a great laugh together but we have so many good players you have to stay at the top of your game.”

Livingston v Peterhead match report: Turn to Page 62