Storm Dudley. Storm Eunice. Storm Rose.

The pitch at New Dundas Park will be feeling the effects of those three storms tonight, but the third would never have been allowed to take place today if it was for the dedicated members of the HIT squad who ensured the park was in the best possible condition for the game to take place.

They say to never start a list but to those spanning from the Chairman, Charlie, to the Gaffer, Robbie – Ray, Jimmy, Marie and everyone else in between – a special tip of the cap to all of you for your efforts this morning. If nothing else, a win was needed as a way of thanks.

The avenues leading to a win were few and far between in the first half – for both sides – despite a blistering start from Rose.

Callum Connolly tested Bo’ness’ man between the sticks, Andy Murphy, inside the opening five minutes, but the ‘keeper held well. Only a moment later, Lee Currie whipped in one of many corners, with this one being met by Sean Brown. His well-controlled header thundered off the crossbar.

Thereafter, it was a well-fought first half. Arguably, the hosts controlled possession but failed to create any clear-cut chances on a heavy pitch.

Max Christie’s resolute defenders threw their bodies to block repetitive shots from Ross Gray and Brown – the latter still in search of his first Rose goals.

The little and large partnership up top linked well and they were perhaps unlucky to not produce a goal together. Brown latched onto Kerr Young’s defence-splitting through-ball and was looking for his partner, Gray, who had begun a gut-busting run in the middle of the park. However, on the outskirts of the box, Gray appeared to be hauled to the deck off the ball. New Dundas Park erupted,

Mark Weir, back in the Rose goal, was not called upon in the first half. Bo’ness United’s only look-in on goal was the last action of the match. Devon Jacobs pulled the trigger from 20-yards, but it sailed well wide.

The start to the second half was much of the same. Domination from Rose but potentially not in the right areas.

Bradley Barrett and Scott Gray offered additional attacking options after the break as they found more joy bombing forward with the support from The Shed behind them.

25 minutes to go and a few moans and groans could be heard around the ground. Nervousness and angst were evidently setting in amongst a few…

As was seen so often after the interval, Barrett chipped a delicious ball which evaded the away defence but was met by Ross Gray, leaving him only Murphy to face. The crafty forward opted to round the keeper but before unleashing any shot, Murphy dragged him down, leaving the referee no option but to award a penalty.

Lee Currie stepped up, as he done so on Tuesday night against Gala Fairydean Rovers, and the same result prevailed. Murphy pulled off a powerful save to ensure no rebound was allowed and sent it for a corner.

The corner came in from the side of the shed, that went out for another corner on the opposite side. From that, the ball was knocked out to the edge of the box but upon being sent back in, it struck the rising arm of a Bo’ness defender and again, forced the referee in pointing to the spot.

Neil Martyniuk, who scored his first league goal in the last outing against Celtic, hovered over this one and made no mistake in sending Murphy the wrong way.

Following an outstanding shift – the colour of his shirt evidential of that – Ross Gray departed to a round of applause and was replaced by Kieran Hall.

I’m not even sure if Kieran touched the ball before Robbie Horn’s men were two goals to the good – it was a frantic few minutes, believe me.

Connolly was everywhere – as he has been so often in recent games – and would be forgiven for still wondering how an effort moments prior hadn’t nestled in the net. He guaranteed the next would, though.

Just swarming around the edge of the box, the midfielder read the direction of the ball expertly and slotted along the deck through a barricade of players to score the crucial second.

The mad moments continued. So much so that I wouldn’t be surprised if a few folk missed that the captain, Jonny Stewart, alongside Sean Brown made way for Nathan Evans and Lewis Turner.

With Christie’s side throwing everything at it, gaps appeared for Rose to pounce upon. Scott Gray broke away and was on his way, dancing into the box before his feet were wiped away from him. No complaints from anyone of a blue persuasion that, that, was penalty number three for the league leaders.

Martyniuk grabbed the ball again. Same taker, same way, same result. The centre-half at the double.

Matty Flynn forced Weir into a strong hand on the 90-minute mark, but this Mark, was having none of it.

Three huge goals. Three massive points. What a team.

We go again Tuesday.

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