Helensburgh Hockey Club's new season began with two home fixtures against Hillhead last weekend - with the local club's first team taking on Hillhead 3s and the Burgh's second team tackling Hillhead 5s.

The 1st XI are under new captaincy this year with young striker Cameron Dye taking on the role.

He fielded a strong team and it didn’t take long for the team to gel. Some good movement in the midfield, going forward earned the team a short corner. Hartopp pushed it out to Dye at the top D whose shot was well saved.

The rebound fell to Kennedy however, who fired the ball goalward. The Hillhead keeper looked likely to save it but Hartopp nipped in to touch it round the keeper to give Burgh the lead.

Helensburgh continued to dominate the first half and managed a second goal before half time. J.Cox was the executor this time with a well struck shot. Hillhead managed to sneak one back after their young striker found the net with a brilliant reverse shot from a tight angle.

The second half started with Hillhead pressing a lot higher, and Helensburgh’s defence were under the cosh. Black was pulling off a number of good saves to keep his side in it and McWilliam was defending well. However, Hillhead executed a good short corner and brought the game even. Helensburgh were determined though, and Gumbrell was making some brilliant space on the right wing to give 'Burgh the chance to take the lead. Hillhead were strong in defence though; they came at Helensburgh with another attack, however Black was equal to them and McWilliam cleared the ball to B.Cox. He in turn fed Dye; whose ball put J.Cox through one on one with the Hillhead keeper. The striker calmly rounded the keeper to take Helensburgh into the lead.

Hillhead fought back however, and another short corner found the net to tie the game at 3-3.

As the final whistle approached, another great ball in by Gumbrell was attacked by Helensburgh, but the keeper saved it well. The ball was stuck in the D though and J.Cox was fighting for it – the home side thought he had scored but the umpire had blown for a foul, and then blown the final whistle.

A strong game for the Helensburgh side who were taking on regional opposition saw the game finish 3-3.

Helensburgh team – G.Black; G.Caulfield; G.McWilliam; J.Caulfield; J.Murphy; B.Kennedy; B.Cox; J.Gumbrell; D.Hartopp; C.Dye (capt.); J.Cox (MoM); S.Murphy; D.McGregor.

Next week, the first XI travel away to Hillhead's 4th team for another pre-season friendly.

Prior to the 1st XI game, the 2nd team took on Hillhead 5s.The 2nd XI were missing a couple of key players and it showed slightly with Hillhead taking the victory 3-1, with S. Murphy getting the goal.

However it was less about the result and more about the performance and new captain Matthew Payne had commented that the team had played well. The 2s are hoping to fight for promotion this season from division 3.

Helensburgh Team – C.Keith; J.Steel; M.Payne (capt.); R.Park; I.Richardson; T.Harris; A.MacAuley; D.O’donnell; G.McKenzie; S.Murphy; J.Murphy; A.Gooding; D.McGregor; A.Richardson; P.Walsh.

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