HELENSBURGH Hockey Club’s first XI showed no ill-effects from a lay-off of nearly three weeks as they surged to a 5-1 win at home to Clydesdale 3 on Saturday.

The game started with a real bang, as Helensburgh conceded possession from the push back and were put straight under threat from the Clydesdale attack. However, the defence won it back and set up an immediate counterattack, with Rob Heywood feeding Gavin Mackenzie up front. Mackenzie created himself a little space and calmly slotted the ball to Barry Cox, who couldn’t miss, giving Helensburgh an early lead.

Clydesdale looked a little rattled after conceding the early goal and were fizzing after conceding a second in similar circumstances; this time, Mackenzie found Ewan McCartney at the back post, and the youngster showed excellent skill with the upright reverse hit to find the back of the net.

It was a dream start for Helensburgh and they didn’t take the foot off the pedal. Arguably the best goal of the game was to come, as Mark Ormsby capped off an excellent team move.

After soaking up the Clydesdale pressure, Heywood found the space to pass wide to Ian Bowyer, who attacked down the wing, finding Callum Sumsion, and the youngster showed his skill, beating a couple of players before passing to Cox.

Cox was provider this time, with Ormsby running in at the back post, scoring a simple tap-in to put Helensburgh 3-0 up within the first 15 minutes.

Clydesdale were able to offer little in reply; they did have a good spell late in the first half, but Mark Findlay was in sizzling form, in the Helensburgh nets, keeping out a number of shots that looked destined for goal.

The second half started with Helensburgh in the ascendency. Clydesdale were pressuring the Helensburgh back line, especially at free hits, but Heywood’s ariels were rocketing over the high press and creating numerous chances.

One such chance fell to Mackenzie, who had no issue sidestepping the oncoming keeper and giving Helensburgh a 4-0 lead.

A clean sheet looked likely for the home side, with Findlay in form reminiscent of his tournament performance in Blackpool earlier in the year – but it wasn’t to be, with Clydesdale winning a short corner and duly dispatching the rebound after the initial good save by the keeper.

Helensburgh were not dispirited though, and it was a memorable fifth of November for Heywood, who sent another dazzling shot over the Clydesdale players to find Cox in space – and he turned provider for Mackenzie this time, with Mackenzie firing the ball into the Clydesdale goal.

There was almost a sixth goal late in the game as Harry Green showed his aerial skill by floating a ball through to Cox, whose first-time pass to Mackenzie was just out of reach for the winger – and though it ended in the net, the lack of touch from Mackenzie meant no goal.

Helensburgh team: Mark Findlay, Ian Bowyer, Gavin McWilliam, Brian Kennedy, Harry Green, Rob Heywood (MoM), Mark Ormsby (1), Gordon Black (capt.), Gavin Mackenzie (2), Barry Cox (1), Callum Sumsion, Ewan McCartney (1), Dayle Hartopp.

Meanwhile, Helensburgh’s third XI missed out on the chance to go to the top of Division Four after a 3-2 defeat away to Hillhead 7.

In a close game, with both sides offering a mix of experience and youth in their line-ups, it was Hillhead who opened the scoring on the rebound after goalkeeper James Pettit saved the initial shot.

An end-to-end first half saw Pettit kept busy in the Helensburgh goal, while at the other end young striker Benji Jones had a shot which he put just wide for the visitors, whilst Liam MacKinnon had a similar opportunity go begging.

Helensburgh’s pressure did eventually pay off just before half-time when Toby Barrie got on the end of an Alan Bowman cross to leave the score tied at 1-1 at the break – but the visitors fell asleep at the start of the second half as Hillhead notched their second after a string of saves by Pettit.

Helensburgh, though, fought back and drew level for a second time, this time Daniel Dooley managed to create a little space for himself before rocketing the ball in off the post to level the game at 2-2.

But the visitors seemed determined to throw the game away with a number of passes going awry – and eventually Hillhead’s pressure told as the hosts scored a third goal with just a few minutes left, leaving Helensburgh empty-handed despite a valiant effort.

Helensburgh team: James Pettit (Capt.) (MoM), Duncan Lemay, Paul Moore, Logan Hill, Daniel Dooley (1), Nick Groves, Lucas Jardine, Cameron McKay, Callum Court, Benji Jones, Toby Barrie (1), Alan Bowman, Liam MacKinnon, Yannick Cowey.

Thanks to John Friel and David O’Donnell for umpiring.

This Saturday, November 12, Helensburgh’s first XI travel to Western, while the second XI return to action against Dumfries at Hermitage Academy with a 12 noon pushback. Supporters are welcome to come along and back the team.