For Holty: Fired-up Livi demolish Ayr in devastating style
David Martindale dedicated Livi’s demolition of Ayr United to former boss Gary Holt.
The Lions endured a tumultuous few days after Holt resigned from his post on Thursday, accepting defeat in his bid to halt their Premiership malaise and bringing the curtain down on two successful years at the club.
However, there was no sign of a hangover from the dramatic few days in West Lothian, with Livi blowing their Championship visitors away with a devastating first-half display.
The hosts were three goals to the good after just TWELVE minutes, with a Joe Chalmers own-goal and Jack Fitzwater’s brace effectively ending the game as a contest.
Alan Forrest added gloss just prior to the interval as Livingston booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Betfred Cup.
And Martindale, who is combining his role as head of football operations with acting as interim manager, says Holt was on his mind last night.
“This management game is easy,” laughed Martindale. “No, it was the perfect start and the boys were brilliant.
“I thought the boys reacted superbly after what happened this week.
“I spoke to them before the game and I told them that, as much as this game is for yourself, this one is for Holty.
“It wasn’t about them, me or any other one person. It was a collective effort – and Holty was in my thoughts.”
He added: “This has been a good competition for us and hopefully we can take this into the league.”
The first Livingston team officially selected by Martindale showed three changes from the 1-0 defeat against St Mirren last weekend which prompted Holt to walk away from the Lions.
Matej Poplatnik, Mullin and Fitzwater came into the side in place of Jay Emmanuel-thomas, the suspended Jason Holt and Ciaron Brown.
And Martindale got the perfect response during a sensational start to the contest from the fired-up hosts.
Scott Pittman drove forward with just 30 seconds on the clock and saw his fizzing, low drive deflect narrowly wide of the post.
The resulting corner by Mullin was cleared straight back to the feet of the winger and he produced a devilish in-swinging delivery that Joe Chalmers could only glance into his own net.
Martindale’s men swiftly doubled their advantage when another fine cross caused chaos in the Ayr box, allowing Fitzwater to lash home his first goal since joining the club from Walsall in the summer.
The Lions were purring and a super low save from United stopper Viljami Sinisalo was required to stop Jon Guthrie from extending their lead.
That would, however, prove to be a temporary reprieve and Livi made it three with just 12 minutes gone. Craig Sibbald lofted a pinpoint delivery into the box and Fitzwater powered a fine header beyond Sinisalo to notch his brace.
Simply ceasing to haemorrhage goals quickly became Ayr’s sole aim for the remainder of the half as Fitzwater – chasing an unlikely hattrick – and Mullin both threatened.
But the hosts did race further ahead on the cusp of the interval when another cross, this time from Nicky Devlin, was only cleared as far as Forrest, who rattled a low finish past Sinisalo. A statement 45 minutes from Livingston.
By contrast, a Forrest shot which drifted narrowly wide was as close as either side came after the break as Livi visibly took their foot off the gas and coasted into the last-eight. Their work was done.
“If we could reach a semi-final at Hampden it would be absolutely massive for the club, the players and the community,” added Martindale. “But we still have a long way to go.”