Ross MacIver’s hat-trick helped Falkirk to a thumping five-goal away win over Edinburgh City in their Premier Sports Cup group-stage opener.
MacIver netted twice in the first-half – including the first goal of the Scottish season – either side of Ben Parkinson’s close-range goal as John McGlynn’s side raced into a three-goal lead after 26 minutes in the Group G meeting with the League 2 side.
Connor Allan added a fourth from the edge of the box in a brilliant first-half for the Bairns, although it was blighted by midfielder Aidan Nesbitt being stretchered off after hurting his right ankle.
Michael McIndoe’s hosts contained the free flowing Bairns – who host Ayr United on Tuesday (19:45 BST) – better in the second half.
However, MacIver bookended the scoring to claim his hat-trick with a late tap-in as he went home with the match ball.
