HELENSBURGH FC were on their travels at the weekend as they ran out emphatic 6-1 winners against North Kelvin United in their penultimate pre-season fixture.
A double from Conor Mackie and further efforts from Brooks Tadlock, Caleb Phipps, Steven Martin and Callum Dodds ensured it was a comfortable workout for Burgh as they begin to wrap up their pre-season preparations.
The visitors started brightly as they got themselves on the front foot right from the off, almost opening the scoring inside the first minute only for David Sinclair to mistime his effort in the area after getting himself on the end of a long ball over the top.
Further early chances fell to both Tadlock and Martin but the Kelvin keeper did well to keep Helensburgh at bay for the time being.
READ MORE: Shoot-out win for Rhu in landmark Helensburgh gameThe opener wasn’t far away, however, and it fell to Tadlock to tap the ball into the empty net after excellent work from Sinclair.
The floodgates were now open as Burgh added their second moments later thanks to Mackie who powered home a well-taken Phipps corner.
Phipps came close to making it three just before the break but his free-kick came rattling back off the woodwork and away to safety as the hosts held on.
The second-half followed suit with Burgh flying out the traps to dominate throughout.
Phipps’ hard work was eventually rewarded minutes after the restart when he got himself on the scoresheet to make it three and there was no letting up as Martin added the fourth shortly after that with Sinclair bagging another assist.
The home side, to their credit, stuck to their task but Ronnie Eskdale in the Burgh goal was rarely troubled.
READ MORE: Caple's youths look ahead to new football seasonDodds got in on the act to make it five with a long-range effort nestling into the bottom corner before Mackie grabbed his second and Burgh’s sixth to round off the rout.
North Kelvin managed to pull back a late consolation goal with Burgh’s minds already on the journey home.
Helensburgh manager Sam Gemmell said: “That was another good work out for the boys and you can see the lads are getting back into the swing of playing again.”
Helensburgh will line up in their last pre-season match this Saturday as they make the short trip to take on Jordanhill. With Burgh’s home park still undergoing upgrades, the Jordanhill friendly will take place at St Ninian’s High School. Kick-off 3pm.
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