1st July 2017 Livingston v Hearts 0-1





It may only have been a pre-season friendly but I decided to make the effort to go as Natalie and I are heading to Tenerife next week for a fortnight on holiday and I would be unable to attend any of the other pre-season games. Previously I have gone to games at Livingston by train but given I can now travel free on buses across Scotland I decided to take the bus. It was some journey as after getting on the bus at Haymarket the route involved Ratho Station, Newbridge and Broxburn before a number of stops in Livingston and then the terminus at Almondvale a short walk from the ground.

Going through Newbridge reminded me of when I sat my bank exams in the 1970’s. I failed my final exam (Foreign Business) because I did not attend night classes on a Wednesday night due to watching Hearts. The lure of games like Hearts v Locomtiv Lepzig beats the mysteries of ECGD and documentary credits any time.The tutor at these classes was manager of RBS Newbridge and he offered me and others who failed the exam tuition in the branch at Newbridge after hours which allowed me to pass the resit.

After arriving the the ground I was disappointed to see that admission was £15 for what was basically a training match. I checked concessions gate but lower price of £10 was only available to over 65s. Surprisingly no programme was issued or if there was one I could not find a programme seller. Once in the ground I met an old work colleague, Pete. I am not saying Pete is old just that I worked alongside him. Pete normally goes to matches with his children. However as he lives in Livingston children were going to match today with their friends and he joined me for a chat. Surprisingly this was mainly about Hearts and the new season.

Hearts started of with a strong side and there were debuts for Christophe Berra (on his return to Hearts after spells with Wolves and Ipswich), Rafal Grzelak and Cole Stockton. Hearts started of well and scored in first half after a good run from Rory Currie. He squared the ball to Don Cowie who fed Cole Stockon in front of an open goal. Stockton's shot hit the bar and from where we were sitting at other end of the ground seemed to bounce out. Thankfully the referee was up with play and a goal was awarded. Later in the first half new Polish full-back Grzelak fired a shot against the post. Hearts remained in control for the remainder of the game despite a multitude of substitutions in the second half to give a run-out to squad members. Hearts continued to press and Ali Roy came close to scoring the second late in the game but his shot went beyond the far post.The stadium announcer gave the crowd as 1874 including 1500 Hearts fans. 1874 is the year Hearts were founded and the announcement received a special cheer although some doubted the veracity of the statement.

After the game Pete suggested I take a number 27 or 28 bus home. This was much quicker than going out despite going through Kirknewton and Mid Calder. All in all a pleasant day out with the sun shining.

Teams
Livingston: Trialist, Halkett, Lithgow, Gallagher, Mullin, Pittman, Jacobs, Byrne, De Vita, Macklin, Mullen
Subs: Brown, Peters, Hamilton, Trialist, Knox, Trialist, Trialist
Hearts: Hamilton, McGhee, Nowak, Berra, Brandon, Cowie, Buaben, Grzelak, Currie, Stockton, Isma
Subs: Noring, Cochrane, Hamilton, Petkov, Moore, Martin, Kitchen, Beith, Henderson, Sammon, Roy

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