Archives | Dunfermline 0 Livingston 2

The SPFL Trust Trophy Semi Final brought Livingston to KDM Group East End Park to the contest that would determine who would meet Queen`s Park in this season`s final.

Dunfermline had made seven signings in the January transfer window and although two were cup tied in this competition and one loaned back to Caley Thistle, there were four new faces in the squad to take on Livingston. Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Omar Taylor-Clarke and Ephraim Yeboah started and Leeds United loanee Owen Hampson was on the bench beside Tommy Fogarty, David Wotherspoon and Chris Kane who had made way for the new starts.

Livingston made one change from the team that did well to defeat Falkirk on Friday night, Matthew Clarke coming in for cup tie Rangers B loanee Robbie Fraser.

Kane Ritchie-Hosler kicked off with Dunfermline attacking the goal at the away end. For the opening ten minutes there was much passing of the ball without any balls into the goalmouths. Yeboah had a good chance to set up a tenth minute chance but after a strong run failed to get the lay off away. Clarke forced an 11th minute corner off Mullen and the Fifers had to defend the first set-play.

The home side successfully defended a second Livi corner in 18th minute before Lewis McCann sent Ritchie-Hosler away on the counter. Unfortunately the first on target shot of the game was held by keeper Jerome Prior. Then seven minutes later McCann did well to get the better of Michael Nottingham out on the left, he fed Ewan Otoo whose strength of cross surprised Yeboah in front of goal and the ball rebounded away.

On the half hour Kyle Benedictus played a great ball up the left for Kieran Ngwenya and when his cross was spilled by Prior, Danny Wilson was first to react and the threat was gone. Next minute however a Ritchie-Hosler free kick from the right was played short to Ngwenya and his cross was perfect for Benedictus at the far post but Prior beat the ball away for a corner on the left. One corner followed the other but there was no danger to the scoreline.

Chilokoa-Mullen twisted and turned on the left side of the Livi box to earn a 39th minute corner but McCann flicked that on over the bar. Next minute however a Cristian Montano shot was deflected for the corner from which the visitors would take the lead. When McAlear`s high cross came in from the left, former Par Robbie MUIRHEAD rose in the six yard box to head home in 41st minute. 0-1

It was a first half where for a long time it had looked like both teams were more intent on not losing the first goal rather than scoring it. Dunfermline had begun to look the stronger when Livingston struck.

Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Livingston 0

Nottingham collected a 48th minute yellow card for a trip on McCann and the Pars man got up to strike the 28 yard free kick over the three man wall only for Prior to fist away as he dived to his right to keep the ball out. In the second phase from the resultant corner McCann hit another attempt from outside box that went wide right. McAlear fired a Livingston effort straight at Tobi Oluwayemi before Chris Kane became the first substitute of the night, replacing Omar Taylor-Clarke in 56th minute.

Yeboah looked likely to score three minutes later but the keeper`s outstretched foot managed to block his netbound effort. At the other end Livi sub Teti Yengi sent a good chance wide right from 15 yards out.

Then at the midpoint of the second half Muirhead and Finlayson combined in the right side of the home penalty box to feed McAlear a chance but Oluwayemi held.

David Wotherspoon and Michael O`Halloran were introduced for Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Chris Hamilton for the final 20 minutes. Hammy had just been shown yellow after his complaints over a decision against him as he was brought down on the edge of the Livi box. Prior held from Kane in 78 minutes following a strong O`Halloran run up the right. Next in 81 minutes Wotherspoon sent McCann speeding away up the left but his final ball in for Yeboah was too high and strong for the 18 year old to connect.

A forceful run by Otoo set up O`Halloran but Livi blocked his shot. The Fifers pressed hard for the equaliser. A Wotherspoon delivery from the right was just too high for McCann at the far post and then there was the opportunity for Yeboah to be the hero but he blasted his attempt over the bar. As the Pars pushed up they got caught light at the back and sub Teti YENGI broke through to sink the ball into the home net to make it 2-0 in 89th minute.

Even with four added minutes there was no way for Dunfermline in fact they were indebted to Mullen for a goal saving block at the death. Livingston had been ruthless with their chances while Dunfermline had passed up too many of theirs. The Challenge Cup Final of 2007 remains the last that Dunfermline Athletic contested.

DUNFERMLINE: Tobi Oluwayemi: Aaron Comrie, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Kyle Benedictus (c), Kieran Ngwenya: Chris Hamilton (David Wotherspoon 69), Ewan Otoo: Kane Ritchie-Hosler (Michael O`Halloran 69), Omar Rivaldo Taylor-Clarke (Chris Kane 56), Lewis McCann: Ephraim Yeboah
SUBS NOT USED: Joe Chalmers, Tommy Fogarty, Craig Clay, Owen Hampson, Dapo Mebude, Deniz Mehmet (GK)
YELLOW CARD: Hamilton (68)

LIVINGSTON: Jerome Prior: Michael Nottingham (Dan Finlayson 57), Danny Wilson, Ryan McGowan, Matthew Clarke: Jamie Brandon (c), Macaulay Tait, Cristian Montaño (Teti Yengi 57): Robbie Muirhead, Reece McAlear (Andrew Shinnie 70), Stevie May (Lewis Smith 77).
SUBS NOT USED: Samson Lawal, Sam Culbert, Liam Sole, Evan Myles (GK), Jack Hamilton (GK).
SCORERS: Muirhead (41), Yengi (89)
YELLOW CARD: Nottingham (48), Clark (59)

REFEREE: Duncan Williams
ATTENDANCE: 2072 (inc 325 away fans)
WEATHER: Fine 5C

WINNING 50/50 Number: 02081 for £257

NEXT MATCH: Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Fifth Round (away) v Aberdeen, Sunday 9th February 2025, kick off 12.30pm

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