It was defeat for Livi at Fir Park against Premiership side Motherwell in their last pre-season game of the campaign.

The match started brightly for the hosts, with academy graduate Ewan Wilson released down the left-hand side before firing a low ball into the box that found Dylan Wells, whose shot was well saved by keeper Shamal George.

After that bright start, the game started to settle down, with Motherwell having most of the possession. Keeper Aston Oxborough was called into action on 20 minutes, saving a free-kick comfortably.

On 28 minutes, we saw the breakthrough. A free-kick won on the left-hand side by Miller was taken by Halliday who found an unmarked Shane Blaney at the back post who converted with the composure of a striker.

It was almost 2-0 just minutes later when Halliday slipped the ball through for Moses Ebiye. The Nigerian couldn’t quite get the ball under control and eventually the danger was cleared by the Livingston defence.

Ebiye was involved in the next opportunity on 36 minutes. The striker swivelled on the byline, firing the ball into Wells who seen his effort saved once again.

60 seconds later, Miller found himself up the top end of the pitch. The 17-year-old took his man on before being brought down in the penalty area. The referee pointed straight to the spot. However, in a turn of events, the linesman saw the incident differently and the decision was changed to a free-kick.

It would matter nothing as Halliday’s free-kick was saved by George but the rebound fell to Ebiye who fired home to double the Steelmen’s lead.

At the break, there was only one change for Motherwell with new signing Krisztian Hegyi coming on for Oxborough.

Livingston started the brighter in the second period and got their goal just before the hour mark. Robbie Muirhead’s free-kick caused the Motherwell backline problems with defender Daniel Finlayson getting on the end of the cross before Tete Yengi tapped home from close range.

That goal sparked a number of substitutes from both sides which saw the game simmer down. A number of Motherwell academy graduates got minutes including Luca Ross, Brannan McDermott and Mark Ferrie. New signings Steve Seddon, Tom Sparrow, Kofi Balmer and Filip Stuparevic were also involved in the second-half.

Another 90 minutes in the bag for Stuart Kettlewell’s side who travel to Linlithgow Rose on Tuesday night to round off their pre-season programme before the Premier Sports Cup starts next Saturday against Edinburgh City.

Match Report: Motherwell FC

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