Quite a strange game on reflection but plenty to take from it in the end.
I also felt our lead came a touch against the run of play, in terms of the chances created and corners forced by Livi at that point, but we continue to benefit enormously through the presence of David Turnbull. From goals to assists he just brings us so much. The routine from the corner was brilliant too.
It was a mad sixty seconds with both sides having penalties saved. Gillespie, as well as being a really decent keeper overall, has proved himself to be really good at saving penalties. Must be about four or five over the season now. I wonder what the scoreline might have ended had Turnbull put his penalty away. A real shame he didn't get the hat-trick but perhaps the experience of being in that situation again of handling two penalties in the one game might stand him in good stead in the future.
The substitutions seemed sensible in the context of where the game was at that stage and whilst more by accident than design I think the two debutants will have gained something from that last quarter or an hour or so. Certainly more from having to handle the situation of a game potentially slipping away than playing things out at 3-0 so again in the longer term, it's perhaps not the worst thing for them to have experienced.
I hope that we might pick up one or two fans from the youngsters in the South Stand. From being in the proximity of the noise and colour of the Bois and seeing all five goals at "their" end as a showcase for the club it wasn't at all bad. It was interesting to see the names of schools and groups on the scoreboard at half-time and seeing a Boys' Brigade group from Dunblane illustrates the potential reach of these days. That we now have contacts for however many groups or individuals (GDPR legislation and all that malarky taken into account) the clever thing will be to follow up on their interest, get feedback on their day, thank them for their support and ensure we retain contact to help build relationships that may encourage them to return again.
The "lap of honour" is something that I enjoy - the opportunity to thank the team and management en masse for their efforts over the season but as ever it is always tinged with sadness at those who have played their last in claret and amber (well, given our penchant for re-signing old favourites, for this spell at least). Whilst the standard of his performances and his ability to play at the pace required was often up for debate I'll miss the determination shown by McHugh. He put his head in where it hurts for the cause more than was perhaps sensible given his head injury so early in his 'Well career. Aldred likewise. He never ever felt like a loan player and the player we saw for the last two years is indistimguishable from the player Bury fans describe. Hastie, I just haven't seen enough to say whether he has won a life changing move on the back of a Ross Forbes style three month purple patch or whether he is indeed the real deal. Rodriguez -Gorrin moving on is a frustration. Just when he got up to speed, was given a chance and proved a perfect foil for Campbell and Turnbull in the midfield, he's gone. And Main. He never recaptured the goalscoring form of his opening three months but played his part in transforming the season, as well as the style of play, in the latter part of the campaign.
Let's see what next season holds.