Helensburgh Hockey Club's second and third teams win

The first XI faced a home tie on Saturday against title challengers Hillhead third, while the second squad took on the same Glasgow outfit's sixth XI. And Helensburgh's third team had a new challenger, as they took on the newly-formed Dumfries third XI at Lomond School.

The first XI were up first at Hermitage Academy, and right from the start it was clear that it was going to be a competitive game.

Hillhead held the early possession but couldn’t do much with it, with Mark Findlay quiet in the goal.

It was Helensburgh who looked dangerous from the counter-attack, with one such ball through finding Jamie Caulfield in a one-on-one situation with the Hillhead keeper. Sadly, the striker lost his footing, and the chance was gone.

Helensburgh did get the breakthrough mid-way through the first half as they attacked through Adam Carmichael. Carmichael combined well with Gavin Mackenzie before Burgh won a foul in the opposition D.

The resulting penalty corner was flicked a little too easily by Gordon Black for the Hillhead keeper to save, however, Mike Jones was quick in on the rebound and managed to lift the ball into the net to give Helensburgh the lead.

Gordon Black stood in as captain (Image: Adam Findlay) The goal was perhaps against the run of play, with Hillhead still maintaining the lion's share of possession.

Helensburgh’s lead didn’t last as long as they’d have hoped, when a dubious decision was given in the home D, awarding Hillhead a penalty corner.

The shot managed to creep in past Brian Kennedy on the post to draw the scores level.

Half time approached with Hillhead on the front foot again, but Findlay was equal to the visitors' shots.

The second half started much the same as the first half had ended, with Hillhead in the ascendency.

Helensburgh defended extremely well and were hitting Hillhead with decent counter-attacks. One such chance was through to Caulfield again, and the experienced striker kept his footing this time but was smothered early on by the away keeper.

Other chances fell to Burgh with Carmichael, Mackenzie and Nick Groves all having opportunities.

Mackenzie had a late chance for Helensburgh (Image: Adam Findlay) But it was Hillhead who took the initiative, with a fast-paced attack that undone the Helensburgh defence.

Findlay was having an excellent game, but he couldn’t keep up this attack and Hillhead went 2-1 up.

The onslaught continued from Hillhead but the Burgh defence of Kennedy, Jones and Harry Green kept that at bay with some gritty defending.

A counter-attack seemed the likeliest outcome for an equaliser as Helensburgh fell deeper and deeper.

A final attack of the day saw a great ball to Mackenzie in the D. His shot was from a wide angle, however, and trickled out to end the match with a 2-1 loss for Helensburgh.

Team: Mark Findlay (MoM); Harry Green; Mike Jones (1); Brian Kennedy; Mark Ormsby; Gordon Black (c); Gavin Mackenzie; Ian Bowyer; Nick Groves; Jamie Caulfield; Adam Carmichael; David McGregor; Yannick Cowey. Thanks to Andy Richardson for umpiring.

The second XI were up next, against a youthful Hillhead team.

It was a poor start for Helensburgh as they were slow out the blocks and Hillhead got an early chance that was put away to give them the lead

 It was another gritty performance from Helensburgh, however, as they dug in in the first half to try and get something back.

It was an unfortunate day for James Pettit, who clashed with a Hillhead player and had to go off injured. Josh Lethbridge was pulling the strings in midfield but the chances on goal were few and far between.

Into the second half and Helensburgh came out with a renewed vigour. David McGregor, back in defence, was showing his experience, dealing with the young strikers he was up against.

Midway through the second half, Helensburgh finally took their chance with Tom Harris picking the ball up halfway into the Hillhead half. He beat a couple of experienced Hillhead defenders before knocking the ball into the bottom corner to give Burgh the equaliser.

Josh Lethbridge scored the winner for the second XI (Image: Adam Findlay) As the game wore on, Helensburgh looked more and more likely to clinch a winner and it came right near the death. McGregor was stepping up from defence and hit a long, hard ball towards the back post which an outstretched Lethbridge managed to guide into the goal to give Helensburgh a late lead.

The home side held on to gain all three points with a 2-1 victory.

Team: Benji Jones; Richard Park; David McGregor; Duncan Lemay; Yannick Cowey; Gordon Caulfield; Josh Lethbridge (1)(MoM); Tom Harris (1); Eddy O’Lone; James Pettit; Alan Bowman; Craig Keith; James Steel (c); Mark Findlay. Thanks to Andy Richardson for umpiring.

The third XI had a great game against the newly-formed side Dumfries third XI.

It was a debut match for Archie Chamberlain and what a match to be involved in.

Helensburgh scored early on which brought the loudest cheer of the day. Eddy O’Lone played a great ball into the D for young Rory Clarkson, who controlled it and slotted it nicely into the bottom corner to give the youngster his first ever goal for the club and Helensburgh the lead.

A second wasn’t far off as Thomas Harris beat his man to score an easy ball under the goalkeeper.

Dumfries managed to get one back, with the youngster hitting a sweet strike past Benji Jones in goal.

Helensburgh got their third just before half time as coach Mark Findlay got involved in the action.

READ MORE: First team's late loss and second XI suffer heavy defeat on tough day for hockey club

The second half continued like the first with Helensburgh dominating. Another loud cheer came when Findlay played a neat ball on to Clarkson, as he got his second of the day.

Findlay then added his second to give Helensburgh a comfortable 5-1 lead.

The scoring wasn’t over, however, with Dumfries trying to fight back. They overcame Andy Richardson in defence, before passing it round Jones in goal.

But Helensburgh had the last laugh as father and son duo combined, Daniel Robbie setting up Craig Robbie for the final goal of the match, giving the third XI a 6-2 victory.

Team: Benji Jones (c); Andy Richardson; Duncan Lemay; Alex Stewart; Callum Court; Daniel Robbie; Craig Robbie (1); Thomas Harris (1); Rory Clarkson (2) (MoM); Archie Chamberlain; David O’Donnell; Eddy O’Lone; Mark Findlay (2); James Brimson. Thanks to Ian Bowyer and Andrew Brimson for umpiring.

Anyone interested in joining Helensburgh Hockey Club can get in touch via their socials or website.

The club is looking for anyone that would like to try hockey, whether it be playing, coaching, or umpiring.

This weekend, all three teams are in action again, with the first XI at Hermitage Academy against Clydesdale third XI. The second XI travel to Stepps to take on Strathclyde University second XI, while the third XI take on Giffnock second away.