12 mins Defensive laxity
allowed Zola time and space to direct an Alan O'Brien cross past trialist
'keeper McKenzie in the home goal. 1-0
34 mins A rare header from LuaLua after Brennan had centred doubled
Newcastle's advantage, although one or two locals were doubtless disappointed
that the man from the Congo chose a more formal handshake celebration rather
than his famous tumbling act. 2-0
36 mins An in-swinging wasn't picked up by the
Newcastle defence and although Andrews’ header was blocked, Pasquinelli had
the easiest of finishes from point-blank range. 2-1
38 mins The home side were straight back in the attack again and forced
another corner. This time it was Rubio who bundled
in from close range.2-2
Half time:
Livingston 3 Newcastle 2
74 mins Wilson pounced on an error at the back and charged into the box. As
Bartlett advanced off his line, the striker lifted the ball over the keeper
towards goal. It wasn’t going in, though, and Canadian striker Xausa
was there to steer home from close range. 2-3
Full time: Livingston 3 Newcastle 2
Gary Caldwell commented after the game:
"I am looking
to get out on loan again. I spoke to the manager and I don't think there are
going to be many opportunities for me.
"I want to
keep furthering my career and playing first-team football, so a loan would be an
option, if it became available."
While LuaLua told the Chronicle:
"It was good to be back playing games. I've had two good run outs and I
feel my fitness is coming along nicely now.
"It was disappointed
to lose the game as we'd gone 2-0 up but we've all got our fitness up and it was
nice to get my first goal of the season. The gaffer wanted me to ease back into
things after the internationals and I'm feeling good now.
"I just want to carry
on where I left off last season and in the summer for my country."
Marcio Maximo celebrated a win in his first
home game in charge of Livi but said:
"If everything is all right at this stage, then it is not really all right.
"It is too early for that as there are still two weeks to go before the
start of the season.
"We need to change many things here and it’s a gradual process. It is
still far from what I want but it is coming. The team reacted to an adverse
situation against Newcastle and demonstrated good personality to change that
situation. They started to believe in themselves and that was important."
Defender David McNamee spoke to the Edinburgh Evening News:
"Things are coming along well and I think you can see that the team is
really starting to gel now. We played some nice stuff against a good Newcastle
side and I think the boys are gaining confidence.
"The new coach is a typical Brazilian in that he is very attack-minded. He
wants the team to entertain without being kamikaze and I think we’re all going
to enjoy playing his type of football. He likes the full-backs to push on and
support the midfielders and forwards which is great for me because that’s my
game.
"I’ve really been quite happy with the way pre-season has gone so far.
I’ve worked hard to get my fitness up to the required level and, while
there’s still a bit to go, I’m confident I’ll be ready when the season
starts on August 9.
"Last season was tough for me with injuries and then when I did come back
late in the season I had to play in a position which was not familiar to me.
"Because of injuries I had to play at centre-half and, while I had played
there in the past, I wasn’t used to playing there at that level of football.
"Even so, I think the experience of doing that will stand me in good stead
but it won’t be until the new season starts that people will see the best of
me."
|
A second visit to the
Almondvale Stadium of Livingston and like our debut in July 1999, we again
lost to the Lions.
Toon support at this game was a little thin on the ground, with the
counter-attraction of the first team playing the Asia Cup final live on
Sky against Chelsea.
Thankfully our intrepid reporter managed to the avoid the score in that
one as he reported on this game for us. |
Gary Caldwell keeps an
eye on Pasquinelli |
|
It's just a pity that he didn't have the
foresight to avoid getting home and sitting down to watch the whole ninety
minutes plus penalties against Chelsea....
Of the ex-Toon triumvirate at Livi, only Lee Makel was on view, with former
reserve striker Colin McMenamin having gone on loan to Division One side Falkirk
and midfielder Tommy English not being in the squad for this game.
Biffa
Reports