Helensburgh started the brighter team and were creating chances early on with Irvine under heavy pressure.

The opening goal was scored after an Irvine attack broke down and Burgh sped up the pitch. Neat play from J Cox earned Helensburgh a short corner. The routine was fairly simple — Black slid it out to Hartopp who smashed it home.

The second goal wasn’t far behind and settled a few nerves. Good passing between Black and J Caulfield set up J Cox who made himself enough room to fire a lovely reverse stick strike into the top corner.

At 2-0, Helensburgh looked comfortable and they easily dictated the pace of the game. The only threats from Irvine were high balls over the top which the strikers fed off. However Helensburgh’s defence of McGregor, Park, G Caulfield and Carmichael held firm. The half time score was 2-0.

The second half started with an increased desire from Helensburgh as they looked to put the game to bed. B Cox came close with a couple of early efforts but it was his son that got the third goal.

Again, J Cox found himself in space at the top of the D and calmly turned to shoot another back stick shot past the opposition keeper. Shortly after Burgh got a fourth with young Carmichael playing fantastically down the right wing. He retrieved a rebounded shot calmly and slotted the ball home.

Irvine had no answer to Helensburghs passing and movement. Excellent passing from G.Caulfield, through Black, Fairbairn and J Cox set J Caulfield through on goal and striker didn’t miss the chance to make it five.

Helensburgh weren’t done though as another good move sent J Cox in on goal. Carmichael picked up the ball and moved with pace down the right before playing a lovely long range pass to Black. Black in turn fed a delightful through ball to J Cox who tapped it under the keeper and then forced it home for his hat-trick.

The final action of the day fell to Burgh and again it was young Carmichael’s individual skill that shone through. He took it round three defenders before neatly placing it in off the back post — an outstanding goal. The final score finished 7-0 and looks likely to keep Helensburgh in the first division for another season.

Helensburgh: S Banyard, D McGregor, J Murphy, R Park, G Caulfield, G Black (capt.), C Fairbairn, D Hartopp, J Caulfield, B Cox, J Cox, A Carmichael (MoM), G Chambers, C McMenemin, S Murphy.

Next week, Helensburgh look to defeat Kelburne’s fourth side away at the National Hockey Centre.