Livingston recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Brechin City as they kicked off their Premier Sports Cup campaign. First half goals from Tyrese Sinclair and Robbie Muirhead allowed the Lions to coast against their Lowland League opposition.

It took Livi just three minutes to get themselves on the scoresheet. A nice ball through to Stevie May from Robbie Muirhead allowed the captain to tee up Tyrese Sinclair, who cut inside before curling a nice effort into the bottom right hand corner to open the scoring.

It was all Livingston, with the hosts unable to keep a hold of the ball for long. Despite the dominance, the Lions were unable to turn it into tangible efforts as they looked to force themselves through the low block adapted by Brechin.

Just before the half hour mark, Livi doubled their lead, with Robbie Muirhead getting his name on the scoresheet. The ball was played to the Livi number 9 in the box, who took a smart touch to get past Kyle Gourley in the Brechin net. His shot was almost blocked on the line by the home defence, but the strike was too powerful and the intervention couldn’t prevent the ball crossing the line.

Cammy Kerr tried to get in on the act just minutes later, a nice lofted ball from Liam Polworth finding the right back, who smashed the ball into the side netting from close.

Scott Pittman cracked the crossbar with ten minutes left in the half. A foul on Sinclair at the corner flag earned Lewis Martin the first booking of the game, and the resultant free kick found Mitchell Robertson at the backpost. His header back across goal eventually fell to Pittman who took it first time, sending it crashing off the bar and over the stand behind the goal.

It was Kerr’s turn again as the clock ticked towards half time. A great one two between Cammy Palmer and Sinclair opened up a gap to allow the former to roll a ball into the box. Sinclair couldn’t hold it but it found Kerr instead, who screwed his shot wide right of the target.

The second hald kicked off with a slight increase in intensity as the Lions looked to put the game beyond Brechin. Kerr had an effort saved very well after intercepting a pass back to Gourlay, with Sinclair also missing at the back post from the second phase of play.

The desire to grab the third did leave Livi susceptible to the counter attack, which Brechin tried to take advantage of, although they were not having any luck with the Lions well drilled in their defensive duties.

Up the other end, Brechin were making it very difficult for Livi to break down, with Whelan looking to the bench to bring a spark to a game that was threatening to fizzle out.

It was a game that was looking for a special moment and 73 minutes it Muirhead almost brought it. Livi had the ball in safe possession and Muirhead opted to come deep to receive the ball. Looking up, he unleashed a fierce effort from all of 35 yards, taking what looked like a glove from the keeper to keep it sneaking into the bottom corner. The referee disagreed with this and instead awarded a goal kick to Brechin.

Into the last 15 minutes and Brechin had a solid effort at goal. A beautiful ball past the Livi back line found veteran Dale Hilson, who laid the ball off to Ross Milne, although the sub dragged his shot wide of the mark.

As we reached the final 10 minutes, Livi did manage to record a meaningful attempt on goal. A good cross from sub Jordan Doherty found the head of Palmer, with the header looking like it would loop into the far corner, instead dropping wide.

It was to be the last action of what was a professional performance to give the Lions their first three points of the group campaign, with a home tie against Partick Thistle to look to on Saturday.

Match report: David Hastie

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