Helensburgh Hockey Club’s season continued this week with the first team suffering a cup exit to Fidra Lions and the the second team away in league action against league leaders GHK.

Meanwhile the third team’s game was called off, with the threes taking all three points. The first XI were at home in a Scottish District Cup game against Fidra Lions from North Berwick.

The game started evenly with both teams fighting for possession. Fidra had the lions share, however, and were looking to stamp there authority early on.

Helensburgh dealt with the pressure reasonably well but their own forays into the opposition half were easily defended. The first goal came early on as Fidra dominated. Their attackers were pressing high and a bad pass from McGregor found its way to the Fidra attacker.

He then won his team a short corner which was executed well with a hard shot into the bottom corner.

Helensburgh managed to fight back however with some possession of their own. S Murphy and Dye were playing well up front with Hartopp and Kennedy combining well on the left wing. Hartopp’s ball into the D found S Murphy who, with his back to the goal, managed hit a rocket of a shot past the sprawling keeper.

Both sides were well into the game, but Fidra had the majority of possession. Kennedy was out of position at left back this week, but was playing fantastic, tackling well and then setting Burgh up on the counter. It looked as though it would go in level at half time but Fidra had other ideas.

A ball across the D evaded the keeper and fell to a Fidra striker. His shot was woeful although it did spin towards the goal — J Murphy just missed the ball trying to keep it out.

The score was 2-1 to the visitors at half time.

Into the second half and Helensburgh knew they were up against as Fidra scored an early goal to take it to 3-1.

Helensburgh tried to fight back with Barton involved, but the youngsters head got the better of him as he was yellow carded for a bad tackle.

Fidra capitalised on Helensburgh loss of a player and scored a simple goal as an unmarked striker had an easy tap in. Helensburgh weren’t done though, and Kennedy stepped up to drive the team forward. He picked up a loose ball at the back and managed to dribble most of the length of the pitch before playing the pass to Hartopp.

Hartopp’s ball in was excellent and it was almost a great goal but the keeper pulled off a great save from Fairbairn. Kennedy had continued his run though and managed to nip in and poke the ball home to give Helensburgh a fighting chance. Fidra, however, had other ideas and almost immediately struck back to give them a fifth goal.

The final 10 minutes showed a lot of desire in the Burgh side as they had numerous chances on goal. Murphy came close, as did Hartopp and Fairbairn but it was Dye who produced a magnificent strike to end the scoring.

His initial shot was saved by the keeper but the rebound fell onto the young strikers reverse side and he coolly slotted it home to take the score to 5-3.

Helensburgh kept pressing but couldn’t create that final couple of chances they required. The score finished 5-3.

Helensburgh Team – G.Black; J.Murphy; D.McGregor (capt); G.McWilliam; B.Kennedy (MoM); C.Fairbairn; T.Barton; D.Hartopp; C.McMenemin; C.Dye; S.Murphy. Thanks to Jesse Owens for umpiring.

Next week, the first XI returns to league action against Hillhead, at Hermitage Academy from 11.15am.

The second team was unfortunate in defeat to top of the league GHK, after a 5-1 defeat. They take on Giffnock next week, at home.

The third XI are also at home to GHK with a 2.15 push back.