A mixture of all three Helensburgh hockey teams travelled to play Falkirk at the weekend — with Burgh coming away with a 6-3 win.

In what has now come to become a traditional pre-season friendly, Helensburgh were short of players but Falkirk showed their sportsmanship in lending a few players to make it a fair game.

The game started off well for Helensburgh and after five minutes they had their first chance on goal. C.McGregor was through, but a fantastic save from the Falkirk keeper kept it out.

With D.McGregor, Richardson, Murphy and Hartopp keeping things controlled at the back, Falkirk were unable to get a chance on goal in the early stages of the game.

They did manage one short corner though which forced a strong save from keeper Stewart. The first goal followed but it fell Helensburgh’s way with a strong counter attack.

O’Donnell won the free hit in the middle of the park and lofted a lovely through ball to young Caulfield who was in on goal — he received the ball at the top D and slotted the ball past the oncoming keeper.

The lead didn’t last long however, as a defensive mix-up from Murphy and Richardson lead to the Falkirk forward with a chance on goal and a goal it was — scooped straight over Stewart’s head and into the roof of the net.

Helensburgh had the next chance of the game with a break from Fairbairn down the right wing. He headed straight into the D and smashed a shot goal ward but the Falkirk keeper was equal to it, pulling off another key save. Sadly for the home side, the ball fell to Barton, who, from a tight angle, swept the ball over the keeper and into the bottom corner of the goal.

Falkirk kept the pressure on Burgh though, overloading the defence and scoring an easy goal in the process to take it back level. With little time remaining on the clock for the first half, Helensburgh had a short corner which was well worked. Fairbairn’s personal duel with the keeper continued and yet again the rebound fell kindly to a Burgh player. O’Donnell was there to tap the ball home and restore Helensburgh’s lead.

The second half started just as brightly for Helensburgh and Fairbairn eventually got his reward for all his hard work. He got on the score sheet with a neat finish to end a fantastic bit of play from the visitors.

Helensburgh could have added another shortly after with the team winning a short corner after an illegal stick tackle prevented a goal scoring opportunity. Stand in captain, D.McGregor, stepped up confidently for the penalty but he played it straight at the keepers pads.

He did make up for his miss with a last minute tackle — preventing a certain goal. Falkirk got a slice of luck for their third goal, with a deflection going in off Richardson’s stick. With the game still at 5-3 it looked as though it would finish that way.

However a late long corner was taken by D.McGregor, who managed to go unchallenged into the D. He then rifled a shot straight into the top corner. The full time whistle went with Helensburgh claiming the victory.

A big thank you to Iain Brice for turning up at such short notice to give Helensburgh 11 players and also a big thank you to Liam, David and Rory from Falkirk for playing for Helensburgh.

Next week is the last of the pre-season friendlies, with two home games at Hermitage Academy starting from 12.15, as Hillhead come to visit.