Livi maintained their unbeaten record during pre-season as they ground out a goalless draw against League One promotion favourites Dunfermline in a match played at Broxburn United’s Albyn Park.

In a match that was the epitome of a pre-season warm-up, the first action of note came on 13 minutes when Pars midfielder David Hopkirk found space at the edge of the box and whipped in a fine effort which was expertly tipped over by Darren Jamieson. Livi’s first effort of note came after 34 minutes as Danny Mullen played in Jordan White but his low side-footed effort was diverted wide by David Hutton. At the other end Jamieson had to be alert once again to repel a decent long-range effort from Faissal El Bakhtaoui which turned out to be the last effort of the half as the teams went in at the break all square.

Having made ten half-time changes in each of his side’s previous two friendlies, Livi boss Mark Burchill decided not to repeat the trick, opting for just the one change at the interval as Spas Georgiev replaced Myles Hippolyte to make his first official appearance for the Lions having featured as a trialist in the win over Stenhousemuir.

Livi forced a chance almost immediately after the restart as a quickly-taken free kick played in Liam Buchanan but his first-time effort was parried by Hutton. The Pars headed straight up the other end and came very close to the opener as Michael Moffat blasted in an effort which flew into the side netting. Mullen then came close for the Lions with a cushioned effort which cannoned back off the post with Hutton beaten, though the linesman’s flag was up in any event. Livi made four quickfire changes midway through the half as Gary Glen, Jordyn Sheerin, Ryan Currie and a trialist took the places of White, Ross Millen, Mullen and Buchanan.

Most of the late efforts went the way of the visitors, with Moffat and Jamieson enjoying a personal battle in the final twenty minutes in which the Lions keeper came out on top comfortably as the match petered out to a tame goalless draw.

Next up for the Lions in Monday night’s glamour friendly back at the Energy Assets Arena against La Liga giants Real Sociedad, who are of course under the management of ex-Manchester United manager and Scotsman David Moyes – kick-off is at 7.45pm.

LIVINGSTON: Jamieson, Millen (Currie 73), Longridge, Sives, Neill, Gibbons, Pitman, Buchanan (Sheerin 73), White (Glen 65), Hippolyte (Georgieu 46), Mullen (Longridge 80)

Today’s half time draw
1st – 134330.
2nd – 134182
3rd – 134438
Prizes can be claimed from Monday afternoon from the Energy Assets Arena reception.

Report: Andrew Crawford

Match highlights: Dunfermline Athletic FC

Share this: