A rampant Livi fired themselves into the SPFL Trust Trophy Final, defeating Dunfermline Athletic 2-0 on a torrid surface at East End Park. A first header from Robbie Muirhead was joined by a late Tete Yengi strike to set up a final date with Queens Park.

David Martindale was forced into one change from the side that toppled league leaders Falkirk on Friday night, with cup tied Robbie Fraser dropping out for Matty Clarke.

Livi had the better of the possession in the first ten minutes without ever threatening the Dunfermline defence, although Ryan McGowan had a rude wakeup call when he was dispossessed by Lewis McCann well inside his own half. He can be thankful, however that Ephraim Yeboah opted to drive at the defence with the loose ball, allowing Michael Nottingham to comfortably clear.

Despite all the offensive pressure from the Lions, the first shot on target fell to the Pars. Moving forward following a quick break, Kane Ritchie-Hosler faced up Danny Wilson, stepping to the outside before striking low, the Frenchman Jerome Prior saving easily.

Dunfermline’s best chance of the half fell to them just after the half hour mark. A free kick from the right-hand side by Kieran Ngwenya found Kyle Benedictus free at the back, his header forcing Prior into a good save at the front post to divert for a corner, which came to nothing.

Livi did get a shot on target on 34 minutes, with a lofted ball to Cristian Montano in the Dunfermline taken down well by the Columbian, but his shot was tame and didn’t trouble Tobi Oluwayemi in the Dunfermline goal.

The away side were piling on the pressure as the first half was drawing to a close, and took the lead on 41 minutes. Some lovely play saw Montano’s shot deflect out for a Livi corner, which was clipped to the back post by Reece McAlear, where a waiting Robbie Muirhead rose to nod the ball home and make it 4 goals in 4 games for the striker.

It didn’t take long for the hosts to test Prior as the second half kicked off. Nottingham was adjudged to have fouled Ritchie-Hosler on the edge of the box, prompting referee Duncan Williams to pull out the first yellow card of the evening. It was Ritchie-Hosler himself who stepped up to fire the ball to the top left corner, forcing Prior into a great save as he parried out for a corner.

Up the other end, Livi were pressing for two, and on 51 minutes captain Jamie Brandon done well to strike from 25 yards out, but Oluwayemi saved well.

On 57 minutes, Dunfermline again called Prior into action. Chris Kane, who had just been subbed on to replace Omar Taylor-Clarke, played a lovely ball to send Yeboah one-on-one with the Livi keeper. Slightly on the angle, the new signing at East End Park looked to have tucked the ball into the bottom right corner, but for a huge save from Prior, who spread himself well to keep the Livingston lead.

And on 69 minutes, it was almost two for Livi. A long throw from Muirhead from the right bounced to sub Tete Yengi. The Aussie took a touch instep before firing to the right-hand corner, however his effort ws off target.

Livi had the grit in their teeth and were searching for two. With 71 minutes on the clock it looked like they may have found it. Macaulay Tait expertly dispossessed Ewan Otoo in the centre circle before driving forward. Offloading to Stevie May, he then spread the ball wide to Muirhead, who played in the under lapping Dan Finlayson. He dragged the ball back to McAlear whose first touch set up a half volley attempt on goal which unfortunately was straight at Oluwayemi.

With 10 minutes to go, Dunfermline had a huge chance to equalise. Breaking two on three, McCann drove down the left hand side as Yeboah took up position in the box. The cross was too high though, playing through Yeboah and easy for Livi to collect and clear.

Livi weren’t content with just the one goal lead and a cleared Muirhead long throw found Andrew Shinnie on the edge of the box, his shot deflected out for a corner which was taken well by Oluwayemi.

And with one minute of the 90 remaining, the Lions secured passage into the final. A long ball was beautifully flicked to Lewis Smith by Yengi before continuing his run onto the perfectly timed through ball by Smith. Through one-on-one, he made no mistake in slotting past Oluwayemi to double Livi’s lead and set up a date in the final with Queen’s Park.

Match report: David Hastie

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