HELENSBURGH Hockey Club's first team made it four games unbeaten with a 1-0 win in the top of the table clash at Giffnock on Saturday.

Helensburgh started as the more threatening side, with some good attacking play, but it failed to materialise into any clear cut chances.

Giffnock saw a lot of the ball but similarly lacked a cutting edge and the half ended in a stalemate.

But the game sparked into life in the second half, when Burgh came flying out of the blocks.

Alan Stuart and Brian Kennedy were leading from midfield and chances fell to Jonathan Cox, Gordon Black and Gavin MacKenzie. Helensburgh had a number of short corners, but these proved ineffectual.

But the breakthrough finally came for Helensburgh after a fantastic run down the right from Calum McMenemin.

He received the ball at right back before sprinting the length of the pitch, attacking the baseline and drawing the keeper onto him, before slipping it to Cox who had an easy finish.

Burgh continued to create chances and Giffnock's keeper was kept busy as they saw the game out comfortably.

Stuart had a couple of great chances that were kept out by the goalkeeper, and the last chance of the match fell to Black, who put it just wide.

Helensburgh 1st XI: C. Keith; G. McWilliam (capt.); D. McGregor; G. Caulfield; C. McMenemin; B. Kennedy (MoM); A. Stuart; G. MacKenzie; J. West; G. Black; J. Cox (1); A. MacAuley; H. Johnson.

Thanks to Richard Schooling for umpiring.

* Helensburgh's 2nd XI were held to a 1-1 draw at home to a skilful Hillhead side at Hermitage Academy on Saturday.

Hillhead had previously beaten the Helensburgh 3rd XI this season, but the game started at a fairly slow pace with neither side controlling possession overly well.

Helensburgh had the slight upper hand with Josh Murphy and Morris Kelly holding the midfield well.

Barry Cox was busy at the back but he, and defensive partner Coles, kept the Hillhead strikers quiet.

The breakthrough came for Burgh around the halfway point of the first half. Some neat play from Harris saw him play the ball in to striker Alan Bowman, whose first shot was well saved, however the striker was in to try again and this time he didn’t miss.

Helensburgh’s lead didn’t last long, however, with Hillhead hitting back after a number of short corners.

Keeper Mark Findlay saved all but one, and he was unlucky to miss the goal.

The second half didn’t quite replicate the first half for goals, but it was just as exciting for the fans to watch. Bowman, Harris and both Kellys all had chances to win it for Helensburgh but it wasn’t to be, while at the other end, McCallion, Cox and Findlay were all important in keeping it level.

2nd XI team: M. Findlay; B. Cox; R. Coles; M. Payne (capt.); I. Richardson; A. Kelly; M. Kelly; J. Murphy; T. Harris; H. Hussain; A. Bowman (1); S. Murphy; G. McCallion. Thanks to Andy Richardson for umpiring.

* Helensburgh's 3rd XI were up against a table-topping Clydesdale side who had turned the Burgh 2s over for seven the previous week.

Unfortunately the ‘burgh development side couldn’t cope with the skill levels of the Clydesdale team and succumbed to a 5-0 defeat – a better result than the 2s, but unfortunately not good enough.

3rd Xi team: C. Murray; J. Steel (capt.); A. Richardson; E. Howie; J. Fowler; R. Whittick; D. Dooley; H. Green; C. Niblock; G. McKelvie; M. Findlay; M. Kelly. Thanks to Barry Cox and Vanessa Sabala for umpiring.