Helensburgh Hockey Club are back in action, with a new season under way for 2022-23. The club’s first XI are still competing in the West District division 1, whilst the second XI play in division 3 and the third side play in division 4.

All teams had played already with varying results, but last weekend saw them all in action at the same time for the first time this season.

First XI take on Kelburne at home

 

The first XI welcomed Kelburne third XI to Hermitage Academy as they looked to move on from their opening game defeat against GHK.

The game started at a frantic pace with ‘burgh in the ascendency, but the home side couldn’t capitalise on the early possession.

Kelburne certainly grew into the game as the half wore on and started to cause problems for Helensburgh, but the pairing of Gavin McWilliam and Brian Kennedy kept them out.

It wasn’t until late in the first half that either side took the initiative, and it was Helensburgh that did it.

Harry Green found the pass down the left to Gavin Mackenzie, who in turn fed Mark Ormsby.

The strong midfielder dribbled the ball expertly into the D where it was an easy slip back to Mackenzie, who slotted it home. The half finished 1-0.

The call was to start the second half as they ended the first and ‘burgh did just that. Possession was kept well with Rob Heywood and Ormsby showing their experience in midfield.

A shot from Heywood set off a goalmouth scramble which experienced striker Jamie Caulfield managed to poke home to give Helensburgh a 2-0 lead.

It wasn’t all Helensburgh, however, as Kelburne attacked up the pitch regularly and won themselves several short corners.

The Kelburne striker was doing his best with his drag flicks, but keeper Mark Findlay was equal to it for most. Sadly, though, it wasn’t to last as Kelburne changed the routine at one corner, and the striker managed to find the net to bring it to 2-1.

Helensburgh didn’t lose heart after conceding though and capitalised on a Kelburne mistake at their short corner.

The quick counterattack was started by Green and Mackenzie again, with Sean Caulfield showing some good skill in the D to create the chance. He found Mackenzie again, who had a simple tap in to re-establish the two-goal lead.

The game seemed to come alive in the final 15 as Kelburne managed to pull another back, making it 3-2.

But Helensburgh held on and scored a well-executed short corner of their own. Callum Sumsion pushed the ball out short to Barry Cox, stopping it. Mackenzie then played the pass straight back to Sumsion who placed it nicely past the sprawling goalkeeper.

The final goal of the game was by far the best goal with Green playing the pass to Jay Caulfield in the middle of the D.

The midfielder was calm on the ball, collecting it on the reverse side, before switching it onto the front side, and smashing the ball into the roof of the net – an excellent finish. The final score was 5-2.

Helensburgh Team: Mark Findlay; Ian Bowyer; Brian Kennedy; Gavin McWilliam; Callum Sumsion (1); Rob Heywood; Mark Ormsby; Gordon Black (Capt.); Gavin Mackenzie (2); Sean Caulfield; Barry Cox; Harry Green (MoM); Jay Caulfield (1); Mike Jones; Jamie Caulfield (1).

Second XI dominate away to Ayr

 

The second XI had to travel down to Ayr on Saturday to take on Ayr second XI. After a close defeat to Hillhead last week, the team were looking to set things right down the coast.

It was a game for Helensburgh to lose as they dominated possession throughout the game.

An early short corner won by Nick Groves saw Sean Caulfield rifle a drag flick into the top corner to give ‘burgh the lead. A late flurry of activity in the first half saw excellent defending from Captain Leo Caulfield and goalkeeper Mark Findlay.

The second half started as the first had, with ‘burgh on top.

There was neat play between Groves and Yannick Cowey which led to Helensburgh’s second goal.

Groves then found Toby Barrie at the top, and the young striker had the sense to pass back to Groves who played it off the post and in to take it to 2-0.

As the half drew on, Ayr became more adventurous which kept Caulfield and Findlay busy but opened the space for ‘burgh to counter.

Callum Sumsion led one such counter, beating the two Ayr defenders before coolly slotting the ball in for a third goal for Helensburgh and all three points for the second XI.

Helensburgh Team: Mark Findlay; Logan Hill; Leo Caulfield (Capt. MoM); Gavin Gettings; Thomas Harris; David O’Donnell; Nick Groves (1); Sean Caulfield (1); Callum Sumsion (1); Yannick Cowey; Toby Barrie; Rob Heywood.

Third XI host relentless Western 

 

The third XI were at home against Western on Saturday and it was very youthful side who took to field, showing the good depth of the club.

The game was more about defending than attacking for Helensburgh as first half chances were half chances at best.

Alan Bowman and Dayle Hartopp had the best of them. The half did end with a clean sheet however, which was testament to the ‘burgh side.

The second half wasn’t quite the same as new goalkeeper Benji Jones had his first experience as a keeper.

He made some excellent reaction saves but couldn’t keep out the relentless Western attack.

Richard Park, Alex Driver and Hartopp were all busy defending but it wasn’t quite enough as Western put ‘burgh to the sword with five goals in the second half. It finished 5-0.

Helensburgh Team: Benji Jones; Alan Bowman (Capt.); Alex Driver; Callum Court; Richard Park; Daniel Dooley; Dayle Hartopp; Lucas Jardine; Cameron MacKay; Liam MacKinnon; Elijah Brown (MoM).

Thanks to John Friel and Ian Bowyer for umpiring. This week, the first XI take travel to Garscube to take on Glasgow University whilst the third XI are up in Anniesland against Hillhead.