Love to the four as West Calder hit six
South Division West Calder United geared up for their Scottish Junior Cup clash in style with an emphatic victory at Station Park.
David Love netted four times for the visitors, while Livingston United ended up with nine men after both Gary O’Hara and Aaron Kane received their marching orders.
The hosts, who have had a difficult start to the campaign, more than held their own in the first half before falling behind to Love’s first of the afternoon, which came from the spot.
United netted an equaliser through Kieran McGurk before the travelling Cauther dominated the rest of the game and made the most of their numerical advantage to grab their first away win of the season.
Love showed his scoring prowess as he turned the game on its head with three quick-fire goals to put Greig Mitchell’s men firmly in command at 4-1.
Jordan Devine scored Cauther’s fifth with a penalty before Grant Sneddon completed a miserable afternoon for the hosts who have now conceded 21 times in just four home league games this campaign.
West Calder boss Mitchell admitted it was a terrific second-half display that saw his side claim a long overdue three points.
He commented: “Livingston made it really difficult for us in the first half and we had a wee scare when they scored but overall it was a great performance and it’s a win and result that has been coming, to be honest.
“We’ve been playing well and not getting the results our play has probably deserved and most of the clubs we’ve played are likely to be up at the top come the end of the season, so it was good to pick up the win.”
And he praised four-goal hero Love, saying: “One thing we were really lacking last season was a guy to take on the mantle of scoring.
“He’s as good as anyone else in the league and we know that when a chance falls his way, he’s going to take it and that could prove the difference over the course of the season.”
Both sides are at home as they begin their Scottish Cup journeys on Saturday against North Region First Division East sides.
West Calder host North Region First Stoneywood Parkvale while Livi, who caused a major upset last year as they knocked out West Region giants Largs Thistle, welcome a Cruden Bay side that have yet to break their league duck this campaign.