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Livingston versus Raith Rovers match report
Livingston


Jan 17 2013

by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

 

Defensive duo Craig Barr and Jesus Garcia Tena showed their attacking quality by linking up to score the winner against Raith Rovers.

Spanish centre-back Tena tricked his was past Brian Graham with an audacious Cruyff turn before a series of step-overs fooled Stuart Anderson at the byeline.

The defender then crossed to Barr who slotted home via a Marc McNulty flick.

It was a goal Spanish giants Barcelona would have been proud of, and Barr reckons it should make his striking team-mates take note.

He joked: “Me and Jesus should be in the number 9 and 10 shirts after that!

“McNulty was in the bad books with me last week because when he scored I was right behind him looking to get on to it!

“He’s claimed in the dressing room that he set me up.

“Jesus did brilliantly on the left side and played it into McNulty who got a touch, and I was in the right place at the right time.”

The clash against Rovers was another example of exciting, open football at Almondvale.

Stefan Scougall nearly handed Livi an early lead with a left-foot drive that cannoned off the post.

Rovers’ brought out the very best in Andy McNeil when Grant Anderson set up Graham with a vicious strike that the Livi goalie palmed over the bar.

And McNeil was called into action again when a bending Graham free-kick was parried to safety.

Livi grabbed the lead minutes later when a long ball forward by Tena caught out the Rovers’ back line and allowed McNulty to burst clear. He crossed to Iain Russell, who volleyed home.

Rovers hit back five minutes later when McNeil parried an effort from Pat Clarke before Graham followed up the rebound.

And the Raith striker was unlucky not to score again when his 25-yard strike crashed off the bar and to safety.

Livingston took the game to Rovers after the interval, with Russell charging clear of Eddie Malone and Dougie Hill before his shot was deflected out for a corner.

Trickery from Tena and a fine finish from Barr gave Livi the lead again on 49 minutes.

Sub Jordan Morton fired a series of long-range efforts, with varying accuracy, as Livi pressed for another goal before the full-time whistle sounded.

The win moved Livi up to fourth in the First Division table and Barr hasn’t given up hope of a surprise title party.

He said: “It’s a very tight league and if we can stay within touching distance, you never know what’s going to happen.

“Results go up and down and if we’re there or thereabouts, we can be quietly confident of sneaking in.

“It was a big win. We created a lot of chances and I thought we deserved the win.

“I don’t think anyone will run away in the league and no one is a dead-cert.”

 

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