HELENSBURGH Hockey Club’s first XI made the perfect start to their competitive season on Saturday with a 7-0 win over Strathclyde University at Hermitage Academy.

Early pressure by the Burgh side saw them come close to scoring, and it wasn’t long until the deadlock was broken: Callum Sumsion won his side a short corner, which the youngster pushed out to Gordon Black, and though Black’s shot was off target, Sumsion was there to turn the rebound into the back of the net.

A potentially serious injury to a Strathclyde player halted the game for a short while – though thankfully the player was able to hobble off and the ice packs did their job.

Helensburgh didn’t let their concentration slip as they kept possession well, passing around the back confidently. A quick forward pass found Barry Cox through on goal, with the experienced striker remaining composed and slipping the ball to the oncoming Gavin Mackenzie who found the back of the net with ease.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Helensburgh Hockey Club's first XI started their competitive season in style with a 7-0 victory over Strathclyde University at Hermitage AcademyHelensburgh Hockey Club's first XI started their competitive season in style with a 7-0 victory over Strathclyde University at Hermitage Academy

The home side didn’t let the pace drop, and debutant Mike Jones showed his skills down the right hand side as he expertly dribbled past a number of players before firing in his own rebounded shot to make it 3-0.

Helensburgh were playing some really nice hockey and their defence, though rarely troubled, contributed towards the attacking effort, with Owen Cook showing his range of passing from the right back position.

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He found Rob Heywood with a nice pass, and after Bowyer’s first shot rebounded back to him, Cook’s second effort found Ian Bowyer at the back post and the left winger coolly slotted home to make it 4-0 at half time.

The second half continued like the first, with Helensburgh in the ascendency. Debuts for youngsters Sean Caulfield, Ross Hynes and Daniel Dooley give the team good hope for the future and all three showed some excellent play, with Hynes having an input into the fifth goal when he set up Heywood for a nice ball to the back post, where Sumsion bagged his second.

Helensburgh weren’t finished, though, and Cook went on a fantastic solo run, beating three defenders before rifling the shot into the bottom corner to make it six.

The final goal was another well worked effort, with Cook and Jones combining well down the right; they, in turn, fed Cox the ball and he calmly passed to Bowyer, who was on the back post yet again, to score his second and Helensburgh’s seventh.

It was an all-round excellent performance from Helensburgh and the early win sees them top the first division at this early stage of the season.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Helensburgh Hockey Club's first XI started their competitive season in style with a 7-0 victory over Strathclyde University at Hermitage AcademyHelensburgh Hockey Club's first XI started their competitive season in style with a 7-0 victory over Strathclyde University at Hermitage Academy

Team: Mark Findlay; Gavin McWilliam; David McGregor; Owen Cook (1); Mike Jones (1); Ian Bowyer (2); Gordon Black (capt.); Rob Heywood; Callum Sumsion (2)(MoM); Gavin Mackenzie (1); Barry Cox; Sean Caulfield; Ross Hynes; Daniel Dooley. Thanks to Vanesa Sabala and Andy Richardson for umpiring.

The next game for Helensburgh’s first XI is away to Clydesdale on October 2.

Helensburgh’s second XI faced a tough trip to Ayr at the weekend, with a number of players missing – and though the third XI was happy to help after their game was called off, it proved to be a difficult day for the combined team, with a very strong Ayr side putting five past their visitors and only a Jamie Caulfield strike giving Helensburgh some consolation.

Tempers were clearly high in the game as both Jamie Caulfield and David O’Donnell saw green cards during play.

Team: Craig Keith; Gavin Gettings; Ben Hogg; George McCallion; Leo Caulfield; Logan Hill; Gordon Caulfield; David O’Donnell; Ewan McCartney (MoM); Jamie Caulfield (1)(capt.); Darragh Gettings; Lucas Jardine; James Steel.

If you’d like to try hockey, find the club on Facebook or visit helensburghhockey.co.uk to find out more.

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