HELENSBURGH FC’s 2003s ended a heated season-long rivalry against their Greenock United counterparts with a 4-1 win in the DFDL’s Michael McGinley Shield final.

Much like the previous game between the teams, both sides were evenly matched throughout the first half of the final at Millburn Park in Alexandria.

Both teams created chances early on, with Greenock seeming to get through on goal more, however Helensburgh’s goalkeeper Callum Burton was in good form and didn’t look like conceding.

United’s pressure continued with Helensburgh looking to settle into the game and with more time passing, Helensburgh began to apply pressure of their own, being given numerous throw-ins in Greenock’s half and a number of corners after getting more shots away at the Greenock goal.

The first goal of the game wasn’t until a few minutes before the half time whistle, when Brandon Garrick was brought down in the Greenock penalty area, with Dylan Haughie scoring to give Helensburgh the 1-0 lead going into the break.

Helensburgh came out the stronger team in the second half, with the extra fitness training they had undertaken in the run up to the final proving crucial.

Findlay Cowie, a striker in fine form with 11 goals in three games, was forced off injured after a hard challenge – but the Burgh team doubled their lead through a second strike from Haughie, after latching onto an Aaron Sharkey through ball, leaving an easy finish.

Despite the scoreline Greenock kept up the pressure, but could not find a way through the Helensburgh defence.

Helensburgh continued to attack the opposition goal with strikes from midfielders Baird, Reid and Sharkey putting the Greenock keeper under pressure, and the pressure paid off with Haughie completing his hat-trick after a solo effort, taking the ball past two Greenock defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner.

Helensburgh finished their scoring after a blunder from the Greenock centre-halves allowed sub Cameron Meredith to pick up the ball at the edge of the box before firing home the fourth.

Greenock got one back late on, but their efforts were in vain as Helensburgh extended their winning streak to 12 games.

Team: C. Burton, K. Hamilton, T. Powell, S. Gailliers, J. Niven, B. Garrick, D. Haughie, A. Sharkey, J. Baird, M. Thomson, F. Cowie.

Subs: D. Reid, J. Nicolson, S. Hall, C. Meredith, E. MacPhee.

Coaches: A. Maule, C. Kirkpatrick.