The Burgh boys knew they couldn’t beat their visitors North Lanarkshire rivals on their day — but a poor start put paid to any chance of a win.

A sloppy start to proceedings saw Burgh concede possession too easily and struggling to create anything upfront.

The only noticable chance of the half for Burrgh could have changed the game. A short corner from Gordon Black was executed well by Jonathan Cox but his flick was off target.

However the chance wasn’t gone, Black find himself in the right place to deflect the ball towards goal, but the spin seemed to take the ball away from the line.

Cries from the sideline suggested the ball had crossed the line but the umpire didn’t call it and play continued.

The home side didn’t look their usual self after all the good work they had dome in the previous weeks, allowing Motherwell to capitalise and steal the points.

A quick break from Motherwell put the Burgh defence under heavy pressure, winning themselves an easy short corner.

The Motherwell striker dispatched a shot on goal to hand the visitors a 1-0 lead heading into half-time.

The second half began full of for Helensburgh but they couldn’t live up to their own high expectations.

A quickfire double from Motherwell all but ended any chance of a victory for the hosts as their heads sank.

Helensburgh left it late in the game to finally look like a First Division outfit. Good possession in the midfield from Black and Gordon Caulfield finally secured a foot hold in the game for the hosts as they looked to find a way back into the match.

Burgh were camped in the Motherwell half and shots from Fairbairn, Cox and James Caulfield all coming close to finding the goal.

Motherwell occasionally got the ball out their own half but Gavin McWilliam was commanding the backline easily against the opposition attack, sweeping away numerous chances.

Black then had a late chance with a reverse stick shot that the opposition keeper smothered well. Cox again found himself in space to get a shot away but it wasn’t going to be Helensburgh’s day as they just couldn’t score.

Helensburgh: Banyard, Park, Murphy, McGregor, McWilliam, G Caulfield, McMenemin, Fairbairn, Black, J Cox, J Caulfield, Hartopp, B Cox, Dye. Thanks to umpires: A Richardson and D Schooling.

Second XI THE young second XI was next to take to the Academy field with a top of the table clash with Clydesdale.

Clydesdale were unbeaten in the league but the seconds were on an impressive run themselves that saw them sitting third in the league standings.

The game started evenly with possession being fough over in midfield. The experienced Wain and Moore were both getting stuck in as they geed up their younger counterparts.

However, it was Clydesdale’s youngsters that had the skill and guile to get the first goal, much to the disappointment of keeper McGregor.

Helensburgh weren’t rattled though and pushed forward for a goal of their own. Friel started the move at the back, and through Gooding and Moore, the ball ended at young Dye at the back post to notch another goal in an impressive season for the Helensburgh man.

At 1-1, the game was there to be taken, but it remained even until half-time.

The second half got going much as the first, with both Friel and Steel being kept busy at the back for Helensburgh.

Young Adam Carmichael was showing his promise with some mazy runs down the left wing, but sadly his final ball couldn’t find the strikers.

Clydesdale took the lead again with a well-executed short corner, this rattled the home side a little, and this allowed the visitors in for a third goal.

Helensburgh were down, but certainly not out and Carmichael was having his best game to date. He picked up the ball and went on another impressive run, playing a one-two with Dye, the youngster then found the net.

However try as they might Helensburgh just couldn’t find the winner.

Helensburgh: McGregor, Friel, Steel, Gooding, Payne, Moore, Wain, Appelquist, O’Donnell, Carmichael, Dye, S Murphy, McGregor, J Murphy, Hartopp.

Thanks to umpire A Richardson.

The second XI also had a game on Sunday but their opposition, Ayr, couldn’t get a team together so Helensburgh took 3 points – a mild consolation that sees the 2nd XI still with a chance of promotion.

Third XI The final match of the day was for third XI who seems to go from strength to strength these days with more youngsters pushing for spots in the team.

They were up against Hillhead who brought their own youngsters to the match. The experienced players wished they could’ve watched this game, as the young stars showed off their individual skill, as well as some impressive team play. Hillhead managed to take a 2-0 lead into half time, but the home side were not out by any means.

Into the second half, and some neat play from McCallion, to Fish set up Findley at the back post, but sadly the keeper made the save.

The experience of Helensburgh came through however, as a flashback to the early 00’s hit the pitch. Dave McCrea, Andy Richardson and Colin Dick were all part of Helensburgh’s goal, with McCrea setting up young Nick Fish for the final touch – McCrea showing that he still had it, 15 years on. The game finished in exciting fashion with Helensburgh almost getting the equalising goal, but it wasn’t to be. It finished 2-1.

Helensburgh: Stewart, Caulfield, Walsh, Richardson, McCallion, Richardson, McCrea, Dick, Fish, Bull, Findlay, McCauley, T Harris. Thanks to umpire J Friel.

The club celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and are having a dinner and awards presentation on May 2.

For more information, like the club on Facebook.