Livingston Hearts CFC
Under-10s
Livingston Hearts 0 v Mid Calder Colts 7
Date: Saturday 28 August, 2009
Venue: Bankton East, Livingston
Competition: WLSS League
A difficult start to the new season ensued for Livingston Hearts as their near neighbours Mid Calder recorded a convincing victory at Bankton East.
A 3-0 interval deficit could not be overhauled in the second half, and Zack Flockhart's penalty miss merely compounded what was a frustrating day for the home side, who granted recent signing Kyle Smith his debut.
Despite the efforts of the outstanding Aiden Coleman in goal, a well organised and motivated Mid Calder finished comfortable winners and could be well satisfied with their morning's work.
Livingston Hearts 1 v Fauldhouse Foxes 2
Date: Saturday 12 September, 2009
Venue: Bankton East, Livingston
Competition: WLSS League
Livingston Hearts goal: Ross Sampher
A goal three minutes from time consigned Livingston Hearts to a second successive league defeat at Bankton East on Saturday as Fauldhouse Foxes proved that fighting to the end brings just rewards.
Livingston Hearts enjoyed the lion's share of possession during the first 25 minutes and, with the match goalless at the interval, were confident of asserting their authority in the second half.
Fauldhouse moved in front shortly after the restart but substitute Kyle Smith helped inspire his team-mates after replacing Dylan Anderson.
When he flighted a free-kick deep into Faulhouse territory 15 minutes from time, Ross Sampher (pictured) was in place to equalise with a well-placed header.
However, after the Faulhouse forwards collected a loose ball from defence in the closing minutes, a powerful low drive gave goalkeeper Aiden Coleman little chance of preserving the 1-1 scoreline.
It was a disappointing finish but the hosts deserved credit for their efforts and, with several new signings, will rightly feel that they are slowly beginning to gel as a team.
Whitburn FCA 2 v Livingston Hearts 1
Venue: Raeburn Crescent, Whitburn
Competition: WLSS League
Livingston Hearts goal: Ross Sampher
Having fought hard to win possession of the ball, Zack Flockhart's sweetly-stuck angled drive from the left-side of the penalty box almost put the visitors ahead five minutes before the interval but Whitburn’s goalkeeper did brilliantly to get a fingertip to the striker’s effort.
Ten minutes into the second half, Whitburn moved ahead after being given too much time and space in the opposition penalty box. It was a momentary lapse in concentration from the newly-formed defensive partnership of Kyle Smith and Lewis Miller (pictured), who had been an immovable force until that point.That signalled time for Livingston Hearts to show their mettle, and the maroons did just that, restoring parity within 30 seconds of going behind. Getting himself on the end of Kyle's lofted ball into the six-yard area, man-of-the-match Ross showed great composure to convert on the half volley.
Buoyed by the equaliser, and urged on by their enthusiastic band of supporters, Livingston Hearts upped the tempo and drove forward at every opportunity. Whitburn, however, were equally determined to triumph and, after being denied first by a post and then by brilliant young goalkeeper Aiden Coleman, eventually settled matters with just a few minutes left on the clock.
It was a moment of hesitancy that ultimately cost the visitors dear, though they came away with plaudits ringing in their ears from both sets of supporters.
Bathgate Vale Pumas 9 v Livingston Hearts 0
Venue: Simpson Primary, Bathgate
Competition: WLSS League
Livingston Hearts 0 v Bathgate Rose 2
Date: Sunday 27 September, 2009
Venue: Bankton East, Livingston
Competition: WLSS League
Progressive development is what seven-a-side football is all about and few who attended this match on a mild Sunday morning at Bankton East could deny that Livingston Hearts' progress is there for all to see.
Ultimately, a two-goal defeat did not do them justice after dominating large periods of the game but lacking a clinical insitinct in the final third.
Bathgate moved ahead towards the end of a very even opening half when a high ball into the box bounced over Aiden Coleman and into the home net. It might have been defended better but Livingston Hearts rallied after the interval and created several scoring opportunities through the impressive Robbie Semple (pictured) and Ross Sampher. This saw the visitors to resort to some rather physical tactics in an effort to preserve their lead.
Meanwhile, in defence, Kyle Smith was in the midst of another assured display.
With the home side pressing for an equaliser, Bathgate doubled their advantage with seven minutes remaining, a through ball eluding Kyle and Daniel McEwan before a well-taken finish.
This game was ended two minutes early by the referee, who objected to Livingston Hearts' continued appeals for protection for their players. But the positive was undoubtedly the coming together of a team who, by the week, are getting closer and closer to being the finished article.
Livingston Hearts 2 v BFC Linlithgow Titans 6
Date: Saturday 10 October, 2009 Minus two key players through illness, Livingston Hearts faced a difficult task against Linlithgow, who themselves had lost players to the swine flu epidemic in the town. However an entertaining game transpired at Bankton East with plenty quality football on display. A momentary lapse of concentration in the home defence allowed Linlithgow to move ahead midway through the first half, but strikes from close range by Rayaan Sharif (pictured) and Zack Flockhart saw Livingston Hearts hold a 2-1 interval advantage. They attempted to capitalise on this in the second half but found themselves pinned back by the visitors. In the end, defending deep cost them dear as the Linlithgow midfield gained control and laid seige on the home goal, occupied by Jamie Sinclair in the absence of Aiden Coleman. Linlithgow finished with a comfortable victory which did not truly reflect the hosts' fine efforts of the first half. Particularly encouraging performances by Zain Ahmad and Ross Sampher were two of the highlights for the Livingston Hearts management.
Venue: Bankton East, Livingston
Competition: WLSS League
Livingston Hearts goals: Rayaan Sharif, Zack Flockhart
Broxburn Athletic Colts 7 v Livingston Hearts 0
Date: Saturday 24 October, 2009
Venue: Stewartfield, Broxburn
Competition: WLSS League
Having held their own for large periods of the first half, the visiting team considered themselves unfortunate to be 3-0 down at the interval. Missing chances in front of goal cost them but they retained hope of breaching the stubborn Broxburn rearguard in the second half.
Again they acquitted themselves well but a late collapse saw Broxburn score four goals near the end of the game, putting a rather untrue reflection on the result.
Captain Ross Sampher had given everything for the cause although Robbie Semple was less than fully fit during the match. Overall, the team performance was better than the scoreline suggested.
Livingston Hearts 4 v Craigshill Thistle Red 2
Date: Saturday 24 October, 2009
Venue: Bankton East, Livingston
Competition: WLSS League
Livingston Hearts goals: Ross Sampher, Robbie Semple, Kyle Smith, Zack Flockhart
Months of hard work and pent up frustration culminated in Livingston Hearts' first victory of the new season against Craigshill Thistle in an enthralling match at Bankton East.
A neat interchange of passes between Robbie Semple and Ross Sampher allowed Ross to drive the opening goal low into the net after 15 minutes, but Craigshill's equaliser five minutes later served as a cautionary note to the hosts, who had Aiden Coleman (pictured) once again in fine form.
Moments from the interval, Livingston Hearts moved in front again through Robbie's free-kick, which deceived the goalkeeper on its way into the net. A 2-1 half-time advantage was cancelled out when Craigshill equalised for a second time shortly after the restart, but the resolve shown by the home players earned them two further goals.
First, a magnificent individual effort from defender Kyle Smith restored their lead before Zack Flockhart's low finish completed the scoring to secure a well-earned win.
Kirkfield Utd 8 v Livingston Hearts 2
Date: Saturday 31 October, 2009
Venue: Lanark Racecourse, Lanarkshire
Competition: WLSS League
Livingston Hearts goals: Dylan Anderson, Kyle Smith
After the exhilaration of the previous week's victory against Craigshill Thistle, Livingston Hearts were out to build on their success but encountered a particularly potent Kirkfield side at Lanark Racecourse.
The hosts created four chances in the first half and scored from three of them to secure a comfortable interval advantage.
Substitute Dylan Anderson (pictured) reduced the deficit with a fine volley early in the second period but a fourth goal from Kirkfield killed the match as a contest.
Kyle Smith was intriduced late in the match and produced a fine individual strike for the visitors, who had Stuart Mckay in exceptional form throughout the second half. Nonetheless, the game finished with Kirkfield comfortably in command.
Livingston Hearts 6 v Livingston FC Boys Club 2
Date: Saturday 7 November, 2009 With their most assured performance of the campaign to date, plus a range of impressive goals, Livingston Hearts recorded a fine victory over Livingston FC Boys Club on Saturday. Kyle opened the scoring after collecting Ross' through ball, which he slotted confidently beyond the goalkeeper. But the equaliser arrived shortly after as Aiden was beaten by a low finish into the corner of his net from close range. Dylan then sent Ross clear for well taken conversion high into the net to restore Livingston Hearts' advantage. Kyle struck a powerful third to ensure a 3-1 half-time lead and the hosts were in buoyant mood for the resumption of play. Zack, on as substitute, produced an expert finish on the half volley from Kyle's corner before Livingston FC Boys Club reduced the deficit with a fine attacking move. But Kyle's inspiration wasn't quite finished. His determined, meandering run ended with a shot which hit the underarm of the opposition goalkeeper and fell kindly for Dylan to tap into the net. With full-time looming, an exquisite through pass from substitute Jamie Sinclair released Zain to strike his first goal since joining Livingston Hearts in June. His delight was clear for all to see at the end of a very fine morning's work.
Venue: Bankton East, Livingston
Competition: WLSS League
Livingston Hearts goals: Kyle Smith (2), Ross Sampher, Zack Flockhart, Dylan Anderson, Zain Ahmad
Two goals from Kyle Smith plus individual strikes from Ross Sampher, Zack Flockhart, Dylan Anderson and Zain Ahmad (pictured) did the damage. However the goalscorers were not the only stars of an excellent display, as defenders Rayaan Sharif and Lewis Miller plus goalkeeper Aiden Coleman kept the opposition forward line at bay.
Livingston Hearts 1 v Mid Calder Colts 6
Date: Saturday 28 November, 2009
Venue: Bankton East, Livingston
Competition: WLSS League
Livingston Hearts goal: Ross Sampher
Events conspired against Livingston Hearts in their last league game of the year as the loss of goalkeeper Aiden Coleman put paid to their attempts at overcoming near neighbours Mid Calder.
Facing a three-goal deficit at the interval on a chilly day at Bankton East, Aiden was forced off after a spirited first-half performance by the hosts and a well-taken goal by Ross Sampher. He was initially replaced by Kyle Smith and then Jamie Sinclair, but by then Mid Calder were out of sight.
Despite the defeat, the man-of-the-match performance of Rayaan Sharif (pictured) was a notable positive for Livingston Hearts and special mention must also go to Jamie, who showed tremendous attitude and aptitude in all three positions he was asked to play during the match.
