Motherwell vs Livingston. Scottish Premiership.
Fir ParkAttendance4,161.
Match report as Livingston's relegation from the cinch Premiership confirmed after a 4-1 defeat at Motherwell
Monday 6 May 2024 10:05, UK
Livingston were relegated from the cinch Premiership following a hefty 4-1 defeat by Motherwell at Fir Park.
Well striker Theo Bair netted a penalty in the 21st minute following a VAR intervention and returning attacker Sam Nicholson thundered in a glorious second just before the break.
Bair headed in a second in the 68th minute before Dan Casey knocked in a fourth in the 74th minute, with Livi substitute Joel Nouble reducing the deficit two minutes later.
Ross County beat Hibernian 2-1 to increase the gap over Livingston to 12 points with only three games remaining, while St Johnstone, who dropped into the relegation play-off spot with a 1-0 defeat at Aberdeen, are 10 points clear.
The Lions will finish bottom of the table after spending six seasons back in the top flight.
David Martindale's side have struggled all season - only winning four league games - and it was really a case of when not if they would go down.
Livingston will have to regroup and rebuild in the summer before they bid to get back to the Premiership next season.
Nicholson, in for the suspended Jack Vale, hit the side netting with an early effort before the visitors spurned two chances to open the scoring.
Well defender Shane Blaney thwarted Livi striker Bruce Anderson as he raced in on goal and took too long to shoot. Livi midfielder Stephen Kelly then broke clear following a Motherwell corner but dragged his shot wide of the far post.
A long check by VAR Euan Anderson for a possible handball by Livi defender Mikey Devlin in blocking a Georgie Gent cross for a corner ended with referee David Munro looking at his pitchside monitor and pointing to the spot, albeit it seemed a harsh decision.
Bair stepped up and fired low into the corner of the net past the diving Livingston goalkeeper Shamal George for his 14th goal of the season.
The visitors again looked all out of luck.
Just after the half-hour mark, Livi midfielder Scott Pittman had the ball in the net but was ruled out for an earlier foul by Anderson.
George repelled Bair's close-range header from a Gent cross in the 38th minute but two minutes into three added on at the end of the first half, Nicholson picked up a Stephen O'Donnell pass and hammered a drive from 25 yards in off the crossbar.
Tete Yengi replaced Livi midfielder Jason Holt for the start of the second half but Motherwell were quickly on the offensive. Andy Halliday came close with a long-distance effort and Nicholson just missed a cross from Gent a yard or two from goal.
Motherwell's third goal was a counter-attacking masterclass.
Lennon's quick pass from a loose ball sent Gent scampering down the left and his inch-perfect cross to the back post found Bair, who headed high past the helpless George.
Any belief that Livingston may have had was in tatters when Casey headed in a corner from Blair Spittal.
However Nouble, who came on for Dan Mackay around the hour mark, looped a Jamie Brandon cross over Well keeper Liam Kelly and in off the far post, in a rare moment of positivity for the Lions and there was time for Well substitute Moses Ebiye to smack the outside of a post.
Livingston boss David Martindale: "We got relegated mathematically today but deep down, if we are being honest, the writing's been on the wall since the turn of the year.
"The January transfer window was very difficult when it came to persuading players to sign for us, because of the relegation battle.
"I am not going to wallow in the negatives. Life is not about how many times you get put down, life is about how many times you jump up and react.
"It is a punch that has floored us but I have aspirations, I want to take this club back to the Premiership and hopefully I am allowed to do that.
"We can talk about that now that we know we will be in the Championship next season.
"I would like to hope I will get the chance but in football, nothing surprises me. You have to be pragmatic.
"I have been at the club 10 years. We have had two relegations in 10 years. We have been promoted twice, got two top-six finishes, got to a cup final, (just) missed out on top six twice, stayed in the Premiership for six years, the longest time in the club's history.
"I think that shows for myself, the staff, former staff, players, how successful we have been as a group.
"I think it is important that in times of adversity and a negative period that you remain pragmatic and you are a realist.
"This club has had a huge amount of success so I would hope to be allowed that opportunity but it is football and nothing surprises me."
Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell: "I thought we deserved to win the game, plain and simple.
"Livingston scored with their one shot on target, so it's evident how you feel the outcome might go.
"But this league has a habit of stinging you in that sense.
"It was a big game for us, a big game for them, so to come out of it on the right side with four goals is always a good thing."
Motherwell are away to Ross County next Saturday before a trip to Hibernian on May 15 before ending their season at home to St Johnstone on May 19.
Livingston host St Johnstone next Saturday before a trip to Aberdeen four days later and end their campaign at home to Hibernian on May 19.
