HELENSBURGH Hockey Club’s players have returned to action after the festive season – and the club’s first XI have begun 2022 in impressive fashion with two wins out of two.

Having won 3-1 away to Ayr in their first fixture of the new year – also their first match since a draw with Hillhead at the end of November – the Helensburgh team stepped up the pace in impressive fashion with a 4-0 victory over Glasgow University at Hermitage Academy to stay in touch at the sharp end of West District Division One.

A strong Burgh side took the front foot early on, though good possession hockey led to nothing conclusive.

The visitors took hold of the game as the first half wore on, keeping the Helensburgh defence busy, though Gavin McWilliam marshalled the back line expertly and even though Glasgow had the lion’s share of the possession they did little to threaten Mark Findlay in goal, and despite spending much of the first half under the cosh the hosts reached half time sill level at 0-0.

The second half was a different story for Helensburgh, who dominated right from the start with the passing much slicker and possession kept far more effectively.

McWilliam was the catalyst, keeping the ball moving around the pitch and tiring out the Uni players.

The breakthrough finally came for Helensburgh with a well-executed set-piece routine after their continued pressure earned a short corner; Callum Sumsion pushed the ball out to Mark Ormsby, who stopped it dead for Gordon Black to aim a drag flick into the top corner.

And the opening goal seemed to open the floodgates, as Helensburgh pressed on in search of more goals, winning a series of short corners.

One such led to goal number two: again the routine was to set up a drag flick for Black, and though this time the Glasgow keeper made a good save, Sumsion was there waiting for the rebound and slid the ball home to double the Burgh’s lead.

A third goal wasn’t long in coming, and yet again its roots lay in a short corner: though this time the set-piece was well defended by the visitors, Black picked up the loose ball and found Ian Bowyer at the top of the D, and he in turn played an excellent pass in to Gavin Mackenzie, who had no trouble adding to his goal tally for the season.

The visitors eventually managed to get something of a grip on the second half, working their way up the pitch, but a combination of brilliant defending from McWilliam and an excellent save by Findlay kept the students out.

And any hopes the Uni might have had of setting up a close finale to the match were comprehensively ended when Helensburgh added their fourth; this time it was started by some good play up the pitch by Mike Jones, who picked out Sumsion in the D – and though his shot went blisteringly close to slotting in at the back post, experienced striker Jamie Caulfield read it excellently, throwing himself towards the post to deflect the ball into the net for a fine goal to cap a wonderful second half performance.

Helensburgh team: Mark Findlay, Gavin McWilliam (MoM); Brian Kennedy; Rob Heywood; Ian Bowyer; Callum Sumsion (1); Gordon Black (1) (c); Mark Ormsby; Gavin Mackenzie (1); Barry Cox; Mike Jones; Ewan McCartney; Jamie Caulfield (1); Harry Green; Dayle Hartopp. 

Thanks to Andy Richardson and John Friel for umpiring.

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Helensburgh’s second XI began their year with a 6-2 win over Clydesdale 5 on January 22, before the weather forced the postponement of their planned trip to Hillhead 7 at Old Anniesland on Saturday.

The Helensburgh third XI had a tough start to 2022 with an 8-1 loss to Uddingston 5 on January 22 – and their first home fixture of the new year on Saturday was no less challenging, ending in a 5-1 loss to Kelburne 4.

Kelburne had plenty of experience in their ranks, and were able to outmuscle the youngsters in the Helensburgh squad – and the margin of defeat might have been even greater but for an excellent performance in goal by young Logan Hill.

Debutant Nick Groves marked his first game for the club with his first goal, but it was the skill and pace of Yannick Cowey that earned him the Helensburgh man of the match award. 

Despite the result, it was still hugely encouraging to see so many young players out playing for the third XI.

Helensburgh team: Logan Hill; Andy Richardson (c); Duncan Lemay; Elijah Brown; Benji Jones; Nick Groves (1); Yannick Cowey; Liam Mackinnon; James Pettit; David O’Donnell; Lucas Jardine; Alex Jarvis; Mark Findlay. Thanks to Ian Bowyer for umpiring.

This Saturday, February 5, Helensburgh’s first XI travel to Stepps to take on Strathclyde University 2, while the Burgh club’s third XI take on Clydesdale 5 at Hermitage Academy.