Hockey: Helensburgh first XI beat Uddingston to maintain perfect start

The first XI took on the side now sitting five places below them in the West District Division One table in Burgh's only match of the weekend, looking for a repeat of the result that kept the club in the top league at the end of the last campaign.

The game started well for the travelling team as they held early possession, however, it was Helensburgh who got the first goal after five minutes.

It was well constructed, with the ball moving through Gordon Black, to Daniel Dooley to Nick Groves. Groves' shot beat the goalkeeper, with Adam Carmichael at the back post ensuring it went in to give Helensburgh the lead.

Adam Carmichael scored two goals (Image: Adam Findlay) The rest of the half remained even, with both teams fighting for the ball. Both sides created several chances, but Uddingston took theirs just before half time, levelling the game at 1-1.

The second half started as the first did, with a sense of urgency from both sides.

Helensburgh looked dangerous going forward and Dooley capitalised on some poor Uddingston defending.

A ball forward found Carmichael at the Uddingston base line; he found Dooley in the D, and the winger was calm on the ball, beating the Uddingston defence before slotting the ball in to give Burgh the lead.

Daniel Dooley was also on the scoresheet (Image: Adam Findlay) Helensburgh couldn’t hold the lead for long, however, as Uddingston managed to peg them back yet again.

The game was on a knife edge at 2-2, but Helensburgh kept pushing and got a third goal midway through the second half.

It was Dooley, who was in for his second, this time assisted by Gavin Mackenzie.

It was another well-worked goal, that Groves picked up in the middle of the park. His ball went through to Mackenzie, who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He had the composure to slip the ball to Dooley who had an easy tap-in.

As the game neared its end, Helensburgh were holding on, with Uddingston gaining several penalty corners.

Mark Findlay was at his finest in goal, keeping the Uddingston strikers out, but it wasn’t to last.

Adam Carmichael scored a late winner for Helensburgh (Image: Adam Findlay) With minutes to go, Rob Heywood saved a penalty corner on the line, however, it seemed to hit his foot. Despite calls for a penalty flick, another penalty corner was awarded, which Uddingston finally found the net with, after an awkward deflection took the ball above Findlay.

It was a late equaliser for Uddingston, but Helensburgh weren’t out yet.

With less than two minutes left on the clock, Ian Bowyer sent a long ball forward to Carmichael who controlled it neatly, beat his defender and unleashed a rocket of a reverse stick shot into the bottom corner, sending the Burgh fans into jubilation.

Man of the match Harry Green (Image: Adam Findlay) It was the definition of a last-minute winner and the game finally ended with a 4-3 win for the home team.

The first XI are due to play at home against Rottenrow at 12.15pm on Saturday, October 19.

Helensburgh: Mark Findlay; Mike Jones; Harry Green (MoM); Ian Bowyer; Rob Heywood (c); Gordon Black; Daniel Dooley (2); Eddie Hall; Nick Groves; Adam Carmichael (2); Gavin Mackenzie; Logan Hill; Alan Bowman; Josh Lethbridge.

Thanks to Andy Richardson for umpiring.