Helensburgh Hockey Club: Win, draw and loss for three teams

The first XI were at home against Hillhead fourth XI, while the second XI took on Western fifth XI, and the third XI were away against Hillhead seventh XI.

The first XI, who saw their unbeaten West District Division One run come to an end against Rottenrow recently, had an early start against Hillhead at Hermitage Academy on October 26. The two sides came out the blocks early, with a competitive game looking likely.

Hillhead held the early possession well, but Helensburgh held a low defensive line well to keep the chances at a minimum.

The home side grew into the game and retaining some possession of their own, with the back three of Harry Green, Mike Jones and Brian Kennedy cycling the ball across the pitch effectively.

Man of the match Mike Jones (Image: Adam Findlay) The game had only a few clear-cut chances in the first half with Mark Findlay fairly quiet in the Helensburgh goal.

Helensburgh won a handful of penalty corners later in the first half, with Gordon Black's shot well saved.

They changed the routine up, with Rob Heywood’s ball aimed at Jamie Caulfield on the back post. The ball was knocked by a Hillhead foot, but Daniel Dooley played on with the advantage, and he managed to scramble the ball past the Hillhead keeper for Nick Groves to knock home.

Nick Groves thought he scored (Image: Adam Findlay) However, the umpires adjudged Dooley to have used his back stick and the goal was chopped off. The rest of the half went by without much of note.

The second half saw Helensburgh push forward more, and in turn, create more chances, but the Hillhead goalkeeper was equal to them.

As Helensburgh stepped forward, so the space was created behind and Hillhead attempted to exploit it.

Jones had other ideas in defence, though, as he intercepted several through balls and created counterattacks. One such attack saw Ian Bowyer attacking down the right wing. His ball into the D was slight behind Caulfield, but the experienced striker deftly flicked the ball goalward with his reverse stick.

The Hillhead keeper was equal to it, though, with an unbelievable reflex save. The game continued in a similar vein, as it became end to end hockey, with both sides trying to get the all-important breakthrough goal, but none came as both defences, and goalkeepers, were on top. The game finished a rare 0-0.

Helensburgh team: Mark Findlay; Mike Jones (MoM); Harry Green; Brian Kennedy; Mark Ormsby; Rob Heywood (c); Gordon Black; Ian Bowyer; Nick Groves; Jamie Caulfield; Gavin Mackenzie; Daniel Dooley. Thanks to Andy Richardson for umpiring.

The second XI were away in Bearsden for a match against newly-promoted Western fifth XI.

The Helensburgh side could only muster the bare 11, however, and were under the cosh from early in the game. After several good saves from Benji Jones in the Burgh goal, the Western striker finally managed to slot one in to give them the lead.

The rest of the half was even, with chances falling to Alan Bowman, James Steel and James Pettit. Sadly, the only other event of the half was a bad injury to Bowman, who had to limp off just before half time, leaving Burgh with 10 players.

The second half started with Helensburgh a man down and Western capitalising. They scored an early goal to give themselves a comfortable lead.

Bowman did return to the field and, despite his lack of movement, did manage to fire a shot just wide of the post.

Helensburgh weren’t out the game, but it would have been a mammoth task to get back into it.

They did try, however, with Logan Hill playing an excellent through ball to James Pettit, who was running onto it.

The young striker rounded the keeper and gave Helensburgh a glimmer of hope. But it was not to be, as Western held firm and got themselves a third, which was keenly celebrated by the goal scorer. It finished 3-1 to Western fifth XI.

Helensburgh team: Benji Jones; David McGregor; Paul Moore; Duncan Lemay; Logan Hill; Gordon Caulfield; Thomas Harris; Alex Driver; James Pettit (MoM) (1); James Steel (c); Alan Bowman.

The third XI took on Hillhead seventh XI, in Glasgow on Saturday and were eager to impress after both higher teams failed to win earlier in the day.

And they started in the best possible fashion with Thomas Harris taking it upon himself to do just that.

He picked up the ball in midfield and beat a couple of defenders before rifling a shot into the bottom corner to give Helensburgh the lead.

Thomas Harris scored for the third XI (Image: Adam Findlay) Harris then turned provider for a quick second goal, as he found James Pettit at the back post to give Burgh the 2-0 lead.

Hillhead did fight back, however, and got one back midway through the first half.

Josh Lethbridge and Mark Findlay combined well in the midfield for Helensburgh’s third, as Findlay got the finishing touch.

Pettit added to his goal tally with a second and Helensburgh's fourth, shortly after. A long ball forward from Andy Richardson was stopped by a Hillhead defender, but Pettit stole it off him and beat the keeper to make it 4-1.

Hillhead fought back again to bring the score to 4-2, but a late first half penalty corner saw Findlay find the back of the net, from David O’Donnell’s push.

The second half started in favour of Hillhead with a couple early goals getting them right back into the game.

But Helensburgh’s dominance prevailed, as the experienced defender Duncan Lemay got himself on the score sheet. He made a run down the wing and into the back post where young Rory Clarkson found him to get the goal.

Another one of Helensburgh's youngsters was involved in the next goal, as Findlay found Daniel Robbie with space in the D. Robbie opted to pass rather than shoot, however, giving Findlay an easy tap in.

The scoring was finally finished when Pettit got his hat-trick, and Helensburgh's eighth goal. The score finished with an 8-4 victory for Helensburgh.

Helensburgh team: Benji Jones (c); Andy Richardson; Duncan Lemay (1); Alex Stewart; David McGregor; Mark Findlay (3); Thomas Harris (1); Josh Lethbridge; Craig Robbie; Rory Clarkson; Daniel Robbie (MoM); James Pettit (3); David O’Donnell. Thanks to Logan Hill for umpiring.

Helensburgh are always on the lookout for new members – whether you could play, coach or even umpire, get in touch via the club's social media.