The Lions got their competitive season off to a winning start on a comfortable afternoon at Glebe Park, running out 3-0 winners against Highland League champions Brechin City. Goals from Joel Nouble, Sean Kelly and Cristian Montano ensured the three points went home to West Lothian.

As perhaps expected, the Lions controlled much of the game, going close on 17 minutes to taking the lead. A well worked ball down the left from Kelly found Montano; who laid it back to Nouble, however he inexplicably found his shot blocked on the line.

The visitors struck the post on the half hour mark, with Sean Kelly again the architect. Finding Jason Holt, the experienced midfielder’s shot shaved the post and wide.

Brechin almost took a surprise lead on 36 minutes, after a dangerous corner fell kindly to Spark, however his effort was unable to test the keeper.

It would take until three minutes to half-time for the deadlock to be broken. Tenacious play from Pittman won the ball in the centre circle, the ricochet finding Holt who burst forward before offloading the ball to Nouble; the big striker making no mistake in slotting the ball in the far corner for the lead.

The hosts should have levelled the game shortly after the break, with Mudie found completely free at the back post, however his effort was blasted over the bar.

The Lions would punish Brechin just two minutes later after Nouble was fouled from behind just outside the box. Sean Kelly stepped up and placed the ball over the wall, beating the City keeper to double the West Lothian side’s lead.

And it would be Kelly who would turn provider for Livi’s third four minutes from time, his looping cross finding Montano at the back post who made no mistake heading home from close range, ensuring the Lions top the group going into the second match day against Hamilton at the Mac.

Match Report: David Hastie

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