JONATHON COX hit a late winner as Helensburgh’s first XI cemented their place in the top four of West District Division One with a 2-1 win away to Strathclyde University on Saturday.

Strathclyde played some neat hockey going forward early on, and it took a while for Helensburgh to get into the game.

But slightly against the run of play the visitors struck first when the defence cleaned up a Strathclyde attack and Rob Heywood sent a lovely ball down the right, where Cox drove past the last defender and played a cool pass in for Gordon Black to score into an open net at the back post.

The opening goal revitalised the Helensburgh side, and they took charge from here on in, with the midfield three of Heywood, Black and Mark Ormsby proving difficult for Strathclyde to handle.

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And the visitors were on top right from the start of the second half; they were far more organised in defence, and the attackers dispossessed the home defence more than once.

But as had been the case in the first half, the game’s next goal came against the run of the play, with Strathclyde capitalising on a breakaway chance to level the scores.

Helensburgh, though, kept pushing for the win, creating several good chances.

All came to nothing until, with the closing stages approaching, a nice pass into the danger zone from Ormsby found Cox in space. His shot was saved well by the Strathclyde keeper, who ended up on top of the ball – and as the rest of the Helensburgh team pleaded for a penalty, Cox kept his head and snuck in to steal the ball and slot it into the unguarded goal.

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A tense last 10 minutes saw Helensburgh keep their cool under pressure – and in fact the visitors might have added a third through McGregor, only for the defender to shoot wide.

Squad: Craig Keith; David McGregor; Gavin McWilliam (capt.); Brian Kennedy; Ian Bowyer; Callum Sumsion; Rob Heywood; Mark Ormsby (MoM); Gordon Black; Gavin Mackenzie; Jonathon Cox; Barry Cox; Harry Green; Martin Hughes. Thanks to Dick Schooling for umpiring.

This Saturday, November 16, Helensburgh’s first XI are at home to high flying Rottenrow with an 11.15am push-back at Hermitage Academy – please come down and support the team.

Helensburgh’s third XI were completely outplayed and outmatched on Saturday away to Western, and were on the wrong end of a 14-0 defeat.

If you’d like to play hockey, get in touch via the Helensburgh Hockey Club Facebook page. Training sessions are held every Monday and Wednesday evening.

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