Holt applauds his ‘Better, and getting even better,’ Lions
Livingston boss Gary Holt praised his players for making it four wins in a row – and reckoned they would have lost this game a year ago.
Goals from Craig Sibbald, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, a Stevie Lawless penalty, and a Scott Pittman strike helped see off a Hamilton Accies side who scored through Shaun Want and Sam Woods.
Livi lost key men Craig Halkett and Declan Gallagher in the summer, but Holt believes the current group are even better.
He said: “I’m delighted with the win. It’s always tough to play three games in a week when you’ve had three weeks off.
“We showed great resilience having fallen behind and then again when it went to 2-2. I think we would have lost that game last year.
“Last year we tapered off for one reason or another in the second half of the season.
“Agents got in players’ ears and pre-contracts were signed.
“But I feel this year we’ve got a better squad and better players who can kick on in the second half of the season.
“And I think we’re only going to get better.”
Accies boss Brian Rice was afforded a warm hand from the home fans before kick-off following news that he was struggling with a gambling addiction. And there was further applause from the Accies faithful after 14 minutes when their team forged into the lead.
Lewis Smith send Marios Ogkmpoe free down the left. And when the Greek cut the ball back, Shaun Want was there to ram it home from about 12 yards.
But the cheers had barely died down when Livingston drew level a minute later.
Ciaron Brown whipped in the long throw, Scott McMann headed it out, but only to the lurking Craig Sibbald, who thumped his volley beyond the goalkeeper.
Livi were looking the more dangerous side by this point and it was no surprise when they went in front after 32 minutes.
Ayden Sousa flashed a tempting ball right across the front of goal, where it was collected by Jack McMillan. He fired in a cross to the back post and Aaron TaylorSinclair was unmarked to head in his first Livingston goal.
Hamilton emerged with a greater sense of purpose after the break, and enjoyed a stroke of luck when they made it 2-2 just short of the hour mark.
On-loan Rangers keeper Robbie McCrorie weakly pushed out a Markus Fjortoft header from Scott McMann’s corner. And that gave new signing Sam Woods a simple chance to claim a debut goal.
The game would turn once more in Livi’s favour just minutes later. A corner from Sibbald was adjudged to have been handled by Fjortoft and Bobby Madden pointed to the spot.
Owain Fon Williams got his hand to Stevie Lawless’ kick but couldn’t keep it out.
Livingston netted their fourth after 65 minutes.
Lyndon Dykes was the provider and Scott Pittman steered his cutback over the line to seal the win.
Rice admitted Accies could have no complaints.
He said: “Livingston thoroughly deserved to win. It’s really difficult to put a team out when you have five or six regulars not starting through injury.
“Any team in the Premiership can’t afford that. But I thought we were a soft touch defensively.”
The Accies boss was unsure about the decision to award a penalty. He added: “I don’t know – it might be handball. It’s a big decision at a big time but I’m not here to complain about referees. Bobby Madden is a top-class ref and a top-class man.”