Last week saw another busy weekend of fixtures for Helensburgh Hockey Club teams, with the first XI taking on Glasgow University third XI and the third XI playing Hillhead sixth XI.

First XI v Glasgow University Third XI

 

It was a poignant game for ‘burgh player Jay Caulfield, who spent the last three seasons playing for Glasgow University third XI. The game started evenly as both sides fought for possession, with Glasgow showing early signs of danger.

The uni side seemed fitter than Helensburgh but failed to do any damage with their early possession.

Helensburgh grew into the game, with the damage coming down the ‘burgh right flank. Ian Bowyer was the player making things happen for Helensburgh.

On one occasion, his ball into the D found striker Barry Cox, who managed to deflect it on to a Glasgow foot for the game’s first penalty corner.

Callum Sumsion pushed the ball out to Mark Ormsby to stop. Gordon Black was on the drag flick which was put narrowly wide. Fortunately for ‘burgh, Sumsion was in the right place to deflect the shot goalward to give Helensburgh the lead.

They continued to dominate throughout the first half, with some neat play from Ormbsy and Bowyer creating another chance. This time, Gavin Mackenzie found himself with a free shot on goal.

The ball looked destined for the bottom corner and striker Jamie Caulfield made sure of it, bringing the score to 2-0, going in at half time.

It was a positive team talk from captain Black as he demanded nothing more, nothing less but more of the same from the team going out for the second half. And it started as the first ended, with ‘burgh in the ascendency.

Helensburgh’s best goal came around the 50-minute mark, and it started with the defence winning the ball back.

Gavin McWilliams strong presence was heard all game as he won the ball back and passed to his central defence partner, Brian Kennedy.

Kennedy played ball forward to Harry Green who had made the run down the left. In it came to Jay Caulfield, then onto Sean Caulfield.

Barry Cox awaited the pass on the baseline before he coolly slipped it to Mackenzie, who had an easy open goal to finish in; very much a team goal that saw Helensburgh take a 3-0 lead.

The away side were not done yet, and it was Glasgow Uni’s own downfall that helped Helensburgh to their fourth goal.

A failed aerial landed at the stick of Jay Caulfield. The midfielder showed his skill to beat two Glasgow players before rifling a reverse stick shot into the bottom corner.

The scoring wasn’t finished yet as Ian Bowyer continued to dominate the right side of the pitch.

Another excellent ball into the D found a Glasgow foot and the penalty corner was thusly rewarded.

This time, Black got it right, and dragged the ball straight through the Uni goalkeeper’s legs to give Helensburgh a 5-0 lead.

Complacency started slipping in, however, and a lapse in defence saw the Uni side get one back before the end. One step beyond last week’s 5-2 win. It ended 5-1 to Helensburgh.

Helensburgh Team: Mark Findlay, Ian Bowyer (MoM), Gavin McWilliam, Brian Kennedy, Harry Green, Gordon Black (Capt.) (1), Mark Ormsby, Jay Caulfield (1), Callum Sumsion (1), Sean Caulfield, Barry Cox, Thomas Harris, Gavin Mackenzie (1), Jamie Caulfield (1).

Third XI v Hillhead Sixth XI

 

The third XI took on Hillhead sixth XI in Anniesland and showed a much better performance than last week, showing the progression of the young side.

Junior Coach Mark Findlay was present for the third XI, playing out of his regular goalkeeper position, and with his help, the third XI saw an impressive 3-0 victory.

The first half was relatively even with both sides having chances. Ewan McCartney, Yannick Cowey and Benji Jones all came close for ‘burgh, whilst James Pettit kept a clean sheet at the other end with the help of his defence, particularly Logan Hill.

Neat skill from Paul Moore saw ‘burgh win a penalty corner near the end of the first half.

The push out was strong, and Findlay stepped up to score an impressive drag flick, that beat the sprawling Hillhead goalkeeper. That half finished with Helensburgh just 1-0 up.

The second half saw Helensburgh start to dominate possession and create several chances.

An early second half goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Hillhead with McCartney and Cowey combining well.

Cowey got the final touch to blast it past the goalkeeper and take it to 2-0.

A third goal wasn’t far off and was a near carbon copy of the first, with Findlay scoring from the penalty corner. The game finished 3-0.

Helensburgh Team: James Pettit (Capt.), Mark Findlay (2), Logan Hill (MoM), Benji Jones, Yannick Cowey (1), Ewan McCartney, Cameron McKay, Lucas Jardine, Callum Court, Andrew Brimson, James Brimson, Elliot Howie, Paul Moore, Dylan, Mathieson.

Thanks to John Friel for umpiring. Next week sees both first and second XI travel away to play against Dumfries first and second XI.