On Friday, May 2, 2025, Lee Ashcroft clinched the McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month award for April, edging out his defensive teammate Dan O’Reilly in a closely contested vote. The competition was fierce, with Ashcroft's stronger performance highlighted on the club’s website ultimately tipping the scales in his favor. He emerged victorious ahead of O’Reilly, Robbie Crawford, and Luke McBeth, marking his first award success of the season.
Ashcroft’s impressive run was bolstered by his courageous defensive displays, particularly during a hard-fought victory over Falkirk, where his crucial blocks helped secure a vital three points for the team. Reflecting on his award, Ashcroft expressed gratitude to those who voted for him, acknowledging the stiff competition from his teammates. “I am delighted to win this award and would like to thank everyone who voted for me. There was strong competition from my team-mates particularly following the win over Falkirk,” he said.
As the team gears up for a crucial match against Livingston later that night, Ashcroft emphasized the importance of their recent win. “That win could be massive for us. We played really well in the first half, but when it got to half-time, we knew it was going to be a tough 45 minutes in the second half,” he noted. “We gave it everything we had to get a result, and we did that, and we will need the same approach at Livingston. We need to go there and get a positive result and get into the play-offs.”
In addition to the personal accolade, Ashcroft has chosen to use his platform for good, requesting that the charitable donation associated with the Player of the Month award be directed to Homeless Project Scotland. “I support a number of charities; however, on this occasion, I would like Homeless Project Scotland to benefit, and I would like to thank McCrea Financial Services for allowing me to do that,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Tony Macaroni Arena was electric as Livingston faced Partick Thistle on the same night. Both teams were vying for a spot in the Premiership playoffs, and the stakes were high. The mood at the stadium was palpable, with a large crowd in attendance, including many Thistle fans who traveled in numbers to support their team. The tension was thick as the match unfolded, with both teams aware of the implications of the outcome.
Livingston’s manager, David Martindale, had previously conceded the Championship title to Falkirk but was hopeful for a strong finish to the season. The home side had been on a remarkable run, winning five consecutive matches leading up to this crucial encounter. However, the pressure was on as they faced a determined Partick Thistle side, who held a two-point advantage over Raith Rovers in the playoff race.
As the match kicked off, the excitement was palpable. Livingston’s Robbie Muirhead had an early opportunity to put his team ahead, but his shot was saved by Thistle goalkeeper David Mitchell. The Livi crowd erupted in cheers when news filtered through that Hamilton Accies had scored against Falkirk, giving them hope that a win could turn the tables.
However, the mood shifted dramatically as Falkirk equalized, silencing the home supporters. Soon after, Thistle struck a decisive blow when Aidan Fitzpatrick’s clever backheel set up Kyle Turner, whose low cross was inadvertently diverted into the net by Livingston’s Macauley Tait. The unfortunate own goal left the Livi fans deflated, and the atmosphere in the stadium turned tense.
Livingston continued to push for a goal, and Stephen Kelly came close with a stunning effort that struck the bar, but the ball was cleared to safety. As the minutes ticked away, frustration mounted among the home fans, especially as news broke that Raith Rovers had scored twice at Hampden, further complicating matters for Livingston.
Despite their best efforts, Livingston could not find the equalizer, and the match ended with Thistle securing a crucial victory. Both teams ultimately booked their places in the Premiership playoffs, but the contrasting emotions were evident. Thistle celebrated their hard-fought win, while Livingston faced the disappointment of missing out on the Championship title.
As the dust settled on an eventful night, it was clear that the playoffs would be a challenging journey for both sides. Thistle, finishing fourth, would have the tougher task ahead, but they were prepared to face whatever challenges lay in their path. The resilience and determination displayed by both teams highlighted the competitive spirit of Scottish football.
In the end, it was a night of mixed fortunes, with Ashcroft shining individually while his team faced the harsh realities of playoff football. As they look ahead to their next challenges, both players and fans alike remain hopeful for what the future holds.
