HELENSBURGH FC’s 2017-18 season came to an end after a 2-1 loss to Newshot in the semi-final of the Greater Glasgow Premier AFL’s Spring Cup.

With a win for each side on the teams’ two league meetings earlier in the season, a close contest looked on the cards, and with the evening sun at their backs in the first half Helensburgh settled in well.

Chances were few in the early stages, but Newshot eventually began to pick up the pace, though Helensburgh defended well – and it was the Burgh who had the first attempt on goal when Johansson released Caleb Phipps with a terrific defence-splitting pass, only for Newshot’s keeper to race from his line to block the drive.

Five minutes later Helensburgh had keeper O’Brien to thank at the other end as his diving save kept the scoresheet blank.

But with half-time approaching Burgh were dealt a blow when a lapse in concentration saw a Newshot attacker pick up a throw-in in midfield before weaving his way past three defenders and firing the opening goal past O’Brien.

And Helensburgh’s hopes suffered a further setback when Newshot increased their lead within five minutes of the restart, when a poor clearance was picked up in midfield and played out to the right wing before being fired across goal, where Newshot’s striker ran in on Connolly’s blindside to make it 2-0.

Helensburgh had to hang on desperately to prevent Newshot increasing their lead, with an offside flag denying the Erskine team a third goal.

But to their great credit the Burgh lads dragged themselves into contention, and a combination of substitutions and positional changes upset Newshot’s rhythm and forced the league champions to defend deep in their own half.

And Helensburgh soon gained their reward when a Phipps step-over saw the ball fall to Adam Sharkey, who whipped it into the net from just outside the box.

It was end-to-end stuff in the closing stages, with Burgh threw everyone forward in their search for the leveller, but the final ball was always lacking and Newshot’s keeper was able to keep his goal intact until the final whistle.

Coach Sam Gemmell said afterwards: “Considering four regular players were missing due to suspension, holiday and injury, it was a good performance nonetheless.

“I was disappointed for the lads that they couldn’t make it to the final but it shouldn’t overshadow how well they have played this year.

“We have competed well in just about every game this season and done particularly well against teams in higher divisions than us.

“Myself and David Boxall have been really pleased with the way things have went this year and with new challenges in front of us it makes for an interesting time next season.”

Squad From: O’Brien, Makeham, Connolly, Bailey, Johannson, Phipps, Sharkey, Park, Tadlock, Findlay, Stillwell, McNeil, Jones, Sinclair, Jeffreys.