Loons Defeat Leaves No Case For The Defence

Forfar Athletic 0 Livingston 4

Forfar lost to league leaders Livingston, thanks to some criminal defending. The visitors were gifted four goals in what was the worst defensive display of the season to date.

With the Loons eager to bounce back from their reverse at East Fife, they started the match in the right spirit. A neat exchange between Hilson and his on loan pal Dow saw Dow's 18 yard effort deflected away for a corner. Three minutes later and the same two players again combined well, this time it was Hilson who fired in, but straight at Bullock. Forfar continued to pass the ball about well and move forward, and Sellars was at the end of a great move, however Jacob robbed him of the ball just as a goal looked likely.

The same player was at the middle of a defensive mix up minutes later, and as Sellars gave the ball away cheaply the visitors almost took the lead with a low effort which beat Gallacher but struck the post. The Lions only had to wait a few more minutes before taking the lead when a long cross from Cowan found Deuchar who was granted a free header which sailed into the net. On the stroke of half time Forfar were again punished for slack marking when a low cross was flicked home by Fox from close range.

The second half started with the Loons going forward and trying to get back into the match, but after five minutes Russell was easily found on the break and his effort was drilled just over. Campbell was then beaten for pace by Fox, and he steered the ball into the path of Deuchar, who made no mistake from 10 yards out. Four minutes later and it went from bad to worse as Russell latched onto a long ball and drilled it past the bewildered Gallacher.

Take away the dreadful defending and Forfar hadn't actually played badly, however their defensive errors were certainly being punished.

The remainder of the match saw the Loons plug away to try and get back into the game but to no avail. Ross Campbell and Sellars both tested Bullock, and Dow tried hard to create openings.

A day best forgotten for the home team and support, but one thing’s for sure, the players will have been told that defensive performances like that will not be tolerated.

Match Report by Kevin Brown