Tollcross rewarded for their attractive play

Thistle have this season established themselves as purveyors of one of the most exciting and attractive brands of football in the LEAFA leagues and, despite having been beaten by Livi in the sides' two league encounters, overcame their West Lothian rivals 3-1.

Livi were reduced to ten men midway through the first half after Mark Lawler allegedly threw a punch at Thistle's Rees Allan, however, the game remained on an even keel throughout and the honours might well have gone either way.

Soon after assuming the one-man advantage, Tollcross also went a goal in front. Sean Mossman's header from within a crowded penalty box struck the woodwork, and Lee Heinemeir swept the rebound into the net from close range.

Livi still looked like a potent threat after being reduced to ten men, and had opportunities to restore parity later in the first half.

Joe Hutchison's chip over Thistle goalkeeper John Nisbet was certainly goalbound before Tollcross defender Gary Fox backtracked and cleared the ball to safety. Then, as Livi reaffirmed their belief of finding a way back into the match, Paul McCracken's thunderous effort from the edge of the box was beaten away by Nisbet, who was no doubt grateful that the ball flew virtually straight at him.

Goalscorer Heinemeir was continually frustrated by Livi's high defensive line that caught him offside on numerous occasions, a habit that would have Sir Alex Ferguson asking (to borrow a phrase) if the Tollcross No.9 was "born offside."

On one occasion, however, just on the stroke of half-time, Heinemeir broke free to latch on to Adam Robertson's typically incisive through-ball and, crucially, the linesman's flag remained down. Heinemeir, one-on-one with Livi goalkeeper Richard Russell, saw his shot saved by the goalie's legs. His Thistle team-mate Callum Roberts gained possession on the edge of the penalty area, but skied his shot over the backtracking Livi defence and well over the crossbar.

Livingston continued to enjoy an equal share of possession with their numerically-advantaged opponents in the second half, and still pressed Nisbet's goal for an equaliser.

William McManus's header from a corner was cleared off the line by Thistle's Roberts on 52 minutes, then McCracken touched a cross-box drive by David Murray onto the Tollcross crossbar. At the other end, Livi defender McManus showed superb resilience to cover ground and deny Heinemeir a sure-fire goal as the striker lurked in space within the box.

In the head-to-head of Thistle's youthful exuberance and Livi's wise old heads, it was the former who were to emerge victorious after a scintillating last quarter of an hour.

Tollcross's Robbie Simpson broke the ever-less-threatening Livi offside trap, cut in from the right, and executed a deft, audacious chip past Russell and into the left-hand corner.

Ten minutes later, after a cross into the Livi box from the right, Heinemeir was all set to put the seal on a three-goal victory for his side, but was thwarted by Gordon Scally's superb tackle. The ball, though, fell to substitute Ross Henderson and he had the easy task of side-footing into the net. Not to be completely outdone, Livingston struck one of their own with just seconds to play, as Murray's low centre was converted by Hutchison.

Tollcross manager Alan McKay said: "It looks like we'll get promoted, and I'm delighted to have won our first trophy of the season. We lost 4-3 to Livi in our league games, so to limit them to just one goal was nice."

Tollcross Thistle: John Nisbet, Gary Fox, Mark Dickson, Rees Allan, Alan Budge, Callum Roberts, Robbie Simpson, Adam Robertson, Lee Heinemeir, Sean Mossman, Glenn Waddle, Ross Henderson, Adam Cormack, Davie Bird, Jamie Archibald, Sean Meechan.

Livingston AFC: Richard Russell, John Gerrard, Stephen Lawler, William McManus, Alan MacFarlane, Joe Hutchison, Paul McCracken, David Murray, Scott McGregor, Mark Lawler, Lee Adams, Johnathon MacLeod, Lee Simpson, Gordon Scally, Craig Mackie, David Henney.