Livi knocked out of Ramsdens Cup

Oct 13 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

DISBELIEF and heartache was etched across Iain Russell’s face after his teammates watched him miss the chance of the match.

The Livi hitman had been sent clear by Ross Docherty during injury time as Livi trailed Hamilton 1-0 following a first half Mark McLaughlin header.

But as he rushed to beat keeper Tomas Cerny to the ball, he spooned his shot over the bar signalling the end of Livi’s Ramsdens Cup adventure.

Russell had been the most likely to grab a goal for the Lions, hitting the post in the second half and looking dangerous throughout the semi-final clash.

And a goal would not have been undeserved. But when the big moment came to snatch a late equaliser, he snatched at the strike and watched it agonisingly sail over the crossbar.

In a first half riddled with injuries and stoppages, Gary Bollan was forced into an early change with Kyle Jacobs unable to shake off an early head knock. Ross Docherty took to the field as his replacement.

McLaughlin was next to suffer a head knock needing treatment at the sidelines. But as soon as he was back on the pitch he heroically kept Livi out.

Russell read Martin Canning's poor back header and knocked the ball over the advancing Cerny.

But as he steadied himself to fire home, McLaughlin came charging in with a great sliding challenge.

Canning made up for his error by playing a major part in Hamilton's opening goal.

A fine Andy McNeil save from a left-footed Jim McAlister drive tipped the ball behind. Dougie Imrie floated in a deep corner which Canning headed back across goal before McLaughlin's head sent the ball crashing into the back of the net.

Livi nearly hit back instantly when Russell took the ball past Canning and Mensing before cutting back to Fox whose heavy touch killed the move before the ref whistled for half time.

Russell sent the ball crashing against the upright with a left-foot drive midway through the second half.

Hamilton nearly wrapped up the tie when Imrie was sent clear. But a critical tackle from Paul Watson took the ball off the Accies playmaker's foot before he could pull the trigger.

A late Craig Barr header was easily dealt with by man of the match Cerny before Docherty sent Russell clear with a defence-splitting pass.

But Russell’s lob cleared the bar before the final whistle blew to signal an end to Livi’s Ramsdens Cup run.

Hamilton: Cerny, McAlister, McLaughlin (Chambers 73), Canning, Hendrie, Gordon, Mensing, Crawford, Imrie, Lyle (Spence 76), Andy Ryan (Paterson 73). Subs Not Used: Hutton, Anderson.

Booked: Canning, Imrie.

Goals: McLaughlin 43.

Livingston: McNeil, Kyle Jacobs (Ross Docherty 18), Craig Barr, Watson, Talbot, Scougall, Sinclair, Fox (Boulding 82), Bobby Barr, Deuchar (McNulty 67), Russell. Subs Not Used: Jamieson, Brown.

Booked: Craig Barr, Russell, Talbot, McNulty.

Attendance: 1,418.

Referee: Charlie Richmond.

Lothian Lotto results: 4 Numbers (6.18.25.28) no winners. Three numbers (1.2.22) K.Millar; two numbers (10.24) Fred Evans,

R McKechnie, J Fleming, Paul Dowds, David Johnstone, Steve Field. Next weeks draw is for £1900.