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COVE RANGERS 0–2 LIVINGSTON

Livi claimed the three points thanks to an own goal and a late settler, but the team again showed signs of improvement, and there was plenty to enjoy about the Cove performance as Paul Hartley’s new-look squad begins to look more settled.

There were three changes from the weekend trip to Forfar with Will Gillingham in for the injured Josh Kerr and Myles Gaffney replacing Declan Glass, while Nick Suman returned for Balint Demus as the manager continued to alternate the goalkeepers.

Livingston made the better start and had an opening in the fifth minute when Winter turned and shot, his effort blocked by Finlay Murray. The lead was delayed only briefly.

In their next attack, Pittman played in Smith who sent a low delivery across the box where the unfortunate MURRAY diverted the ball into his own net. Muirhead then shot over from twenty yards as the visitors continued to dominate.

It was not until the fourteenth minute that we threatened, Fyvie taking a quick free-kick to send Arron Darge in behind, but his low cross was cut out by Montano.

Fyvie, Yule and Scully then combined, Blair winning our first corner, and after taking it short and gathering from McGrath, Connor whipped the ball towards the back post where Murray headed just wide.

Livi had the bulk of the possession though, and they might have doubled their advantage soon after. Winter picked up and found Pittman, who teed-up Brandon. The full-back’s shot was well-struck, but Suman beat it away, and when the Livi man pounced on the rebound, Gillingham deflected it wide.

We began to see more of the ball as the half wore on, and there was a promising move when Arron Darge surged into the box, but Pittman raced back to cover. Darge was adjudged to have fouled the Livingston midfielder, unluckily collecting the game’s first caution.

Myles Gaffney, making his first start for the club, was heavily involved in the early stages of the second half first shooting over with a speculative dipping effort from the angle of the box, then sending in an inviting cross which Montano got to just before McGrath.

Mikey Doyle then fired a long pass forward for Blair Yule to run on to, and when his cross bounced up, McGrath tried a volley which looped high into the air before being snatched by the giant George.

Yule was having a fine game, dominating the middle of the pitch, and from his latest intervention, Grady McGrath almost got away only to be thwarted at the last by McGowan. Murray then sent a pass forward which Ryan Harrington did well not only to reach but fire over a superb cross. Yule got to it, but his shot was blocked.

In our next attack, Harrington held off Brandon and passed infield for substitute Declan Glass, and after squirming away from his marker, the midfielder curled in an effort from the edge of the box which was held by the keeper.

Having defended solidly for chunks of the game, we were now in charge of the ball for longer spells and causing a threat, but after the latest fine move, which involved half a dozen players, Yule’s chip into the box was hacked clear before Gaffney could capitalise.

Ryan Harrington was next to have a go, cutting in from the left to fire goalwards, but Shamal George was up to the task and saved fairly comfortably.

With time running out, Livingston hit us with a sucker punch.

Nottingham hurled in a long throw and when the ball bounced towards the back post, Liam SOLE was first to react, volleying home from close range.

Livi took the win, which should be good enough to see them through to the knockout stages, but there was much to enjoy about the Cove performance and further reason for optimism ahead of the start of the league campaign.

COVE RANGERS (3-5-2): Suman; Doyle, Gillingham, Murray; Darge, Yule, Fyvie (c) Scully, Harrington; McGrath (Glass 62), Gaffney

Substitutes: Demus, Ochmanski, Strachan, Donaldson, Gallagher, Milnes

Goalscorers:

Booked: Darge (39), Murray (48), Fyvie (55)

LIVINGSTON (4-3-3): George; Brandon (c) (Nottingham 77), McGowan, Montano, Clarke; Pittman, Kelly, Green (McAlear 30); Muirhead (Yengi 66), Winter (Sole 66) Smith (Korboa 77)

Substitutes: Prior, Jackson, Finlayson, Lawal

Goalscorers: Murray (OG 6), Sole (86)

Booked: Kelly (55)

Referee: Euan Anderson

Attendance: 243

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