Livingston v Berwick.

It’s the final game of the Betfred cup group stages. I’m expecting a defeat here. Berwick were a whopping 250-1 with some bookmakers to win this one.
I was born in Livingston (well just outside as there was no hospital in Livingston in 1977) and stayed they throughout most of my schooldays. My High school was in Bathgate though, bussed out with the rest of the folk from my primary school. We moved to just outside Lanark I’m my 3rd year and I was dropped off at school rather than change to the local Lanark School. In my final year I attended the new school that was built in 1994 that’s at the rear of the Tony Macaroni Arena (built in 1995).
The school was given a tour of the stadium when it was built just before I left. I’ve not returned for a long time, 15 years or so. I was back for a Boxing Day game, Livingston v Dundee united. I never managed last season Betfred game when Berwick visited, my back was in real trouble and I couldn’t walk without 2 sticks and great pain. No such problem now though, 95% recovered.
I’m going down with my dad and we will meet my brother and his wife for this game. My Brother and his wife stay just outside Lanark so it’s a meet-up for lunch and off to the game.

Arrival.

So dad picked up and off down the road to Livingston. Roadworks adding about 40 minutes on to a journey that usually would be just over an hour. Still I left plenty of time as I always do. Livingston has changed a lot and my shortcuts around the town are no longer viable the roads I used to take have changed. There’s about a million (perhaps a little high of an estimate) more houses now and of course the massive shopping centre that was built filling up all the green space.
Perryman’s buses in Berwick used to run trips to the shopping centre because it’s such a monster.
Lunch was at Brucefield Farm a sort of Brewers Fayre place. A Saturday carvery so meat and potatoes then..... Lunch dispatched it’s off to the Livingston lasagne bowl for the game.

The game.

It was a 5-0 defeat. Brennan had a few good saves to keep the score lower. The first goal was slotted home in the 2nd minute. It was a gift. We had moments but we always do. I was desperate for somebody to take a shot at goal. What is there to lose.
It’s still rather frustrating that we have still held onto the strange ability to not have a shot. I’m hoping the new striker that has been signed this week can make the difference. I’m not going to go into any more detail about the game, I’m home and tired.
The Betfred is a horrible start to the season for the lower league clubs.

Next up Bonnyrigg on Tuesday who have opened their Lowland leave campaign with a 6-0 win over Vale of Leithen......