A five-goal showing from Livingston gave the home side a comfortable victory at the expense of Rossvale. Goals from Jen Dodds, Ashley Elizabeth, Mya Goodman, Kaitlyn Canavan and a first for Ava Whitson sealed an emphatic win in West Lothian.

Three changes were made to the team that faced Kilmarnock two weeks after our last outing. Rachel Pirie, Mya Goodman and Lily Park returned to the starting XI.

The first half offered few chances from either side up until the 38th minute. A barrage of Livingston opportunities saw the ball remain in the Rossvale penalty area, with the away side unable to clear. After several vital blocks and stops from the goalkeeper, Ashley Elizabeth was brought down in the box by the goalkeeper Abigail Paton, resulting in a penalty kick. Jen Dodds took penalty duties, much like earlier in the season against Rossvale, and calmly slotted home to give us the lead before halftime.

Half time seemed to light a spark for Livingston who wasted no time in adding a second goal after the restart. A well-worked move allowed Erin Burns to get space down the right-hand side, with her cross being met delightfully by the head of Ashley Elizabeth who glanced home to double our lead.

The away side reacted well as Nicole Cairney threatened down the left for Rossvale. The tricky midfielder got her reward as she curled in an excellent strike from outside the box to half the deficit. Rachel Pirie was brought into action soon after the goal, saving well from a Lauren Coleman header.

The stuffing was knocked out of the away side in the 65th minute, as Mya Goodman restored our two-goal lead. A long free kick evaded everyone in the penalty area, bouncing into the bottom corner and giving Livingston some breathing space yet again.

Three minutes later, Kaitlyn Canavan had added a fourth to seal the game with just over 20 minutes to go. Another well-worked move saw Livi get down the line and get a good ball into the cross, with Kaitlyn Canavan picking up the scraps in the box and tapping in.

There was a great moment for substitute Ava Whitson who scored her first goal in the Livingston gold and black. A long free kick saw the ball bounce kindly into the path of Whitson who fired home emphatically to earn her a first goal at women’s level.

Erin Burns went closest to adding a sixth goal, with Paton tipping a good effort onto the crossbar.

A well-deserved victory for the Lionesses based on their second-half performance, the team really took control of the game and made use of their possession. With some good goals scored, it should be a confidence boost as we head into midweek action on March 12th at home to St Johnstone.

Match report: Angus McGregor

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