New Bo’ness United manager Ian Little watched his team achieve an impressive victory at basement side Dalbeattie Star, although the game might have not gone ahead at all (writes John Spowart).

As the players and supporters travelled the one 100-plus mile journey south, an already sodden pitch was subject to further deluges and the match referee had to be convinced to allow some time for the Dalbeattie staff to clear any excess water.

The game finally got underway even though it seemed to escape the referee's notice as he blew for the start there was no Bo’ness goalkeeper between the sticks as Musa Dibaga was still making his way from the dressing room. 

After the dust, or perhaps to be more accurate, the mud settled it was the home side who attacked first, a Dale Milligan run and cross forcing Dibaga into to making a decent save to stop Peter Mendy’s header.

Play moved quickly to the other end, Zander Miller bearing down on the Dalbeattie goal, this time keeper Mason McCreadie called into action getting down to block Miller’s shot away. This was the Dalbeattie’s keeper’s first action of what was to be a busy afternoon and soon he was picking the ball out of the net after John Ward got on to the end of a Tom Grant cross, and although he saw his shot from close in blocked, the player followed up to score his first goal for Bo’ness. 

A few minutes later it was two, Grant again the provider as he passed through to Lennon Walker who dashed forward to slip the ball past the advancing McCreadie.

It was not all one-way traffic and Leyton Donald came close, curling a shot just wide of the BU far post. With just under half an hour played Dalbeattie went one better, pulling a goal back, Milligan pouncing wide on the left before cutting in to smash his shot past Dibaga from the edge of the box.

Ten minutes later Bo’ness regained the two-goal cushion, the referee playing on after a foul on Alassan Jones allowing Walker to run through, get round McCreadie and angle the ball into the empty net.

Dalbeattie knew they had to get back quickly and just into the second half they pressed Bo’ness only to see their task become even more daunting. Seven minutes in, a rash challenge by Rowan Kearney earned him a straight red card, and although it took a further 15 minutes to take advantage, four goals in 10 minutes ensured a long but worthwhile trip for Bo’ness. 

Nick Locke forced the ball home after a scramble in the box from a Grant corner. Walker crashed a shot in off the woodwork for his hat-trick, and new signing Mackenzie Lawler opened his account, putting in at the back post from a Walker cross. The final goal came from the spot after the Dalbeattie keeper downed Walker in the box and Ryan Stevenson converted the resulting penalty.

Recognising Dalbeattie provided poor opposition, Bo’ness can still be pleased with a comprehensive win in difficult conditions. They have moved into the top half of the table and look forward to the final three league games hoping to achieve an even higher position.   

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson (French 78), Ward (Macaulay 78), Hawkins, McArthur, Locke, Jones 

(McCormack 58), Johnston, Miller (Lawler 68), Grant, Walker (Murdoch 78). 

The Athletic extended their lead over closest rivals Armadale Thistle to 16 points after another comprehensive victory.

Tiwi Daramola scored another hat-trick, taking his season tally to 62, with Dylan Paterson bagging a brace and one each from Ryan Robertson. A goal-of-the-season contender from Jason Mackay sealed the comprehensive victory.

The Under 20s travelled to Pitreavie in Dunfermline looking to keep up the standard of performance they have been producing since the new year albeit results haven't been what they would like.

The hosts were quick out the blocks and took an early lead but the Under 20s worked theirr way into the game without creating any clear-cut chances.

In the second half they lost another early goal. The same pattern followed and the Under 20s were still in the game but Oakley sealed the win late on.