The second round of fixtures is already beyond us. Let’s take a look at the results.
Hillhead 3rd XI kept their unbeaten start going with a tight game against Rottenrow, in division one, at the National Hockey Centre. Hillhead took the lead in the first half before Morgan Kelly equalised into the second. However, Hillhead pushed on and took the 3-1 victory into the second half. Clydesdale 3rd XI opened their season with a good win against Hillhead 4th XI. They had sprung to a 2-0 lead in the first half with Chris Flight getting both goals. Hillhead brought one back from a penalty corner before Clydesdale went on to win a comfortable 5-1. Kelburne 3rd XI and Helensburgh had a hard-fought game, with Helensburgh taking an early 2-0 lead. Kelburne drew level just after half time, but Helensburgh had enough to claim the victory. Elsewhere, Uddingston 3rd XI had a comprehensive victory over Western 4th XI, and Western 3rd XI defeated Giffnock 5-0.
It was a close game down in Ayrshire, in division two, as Uddingston 4th XI came away with a point against Ayr. Calum McDonald, Scott McElnea and Jorah Turnbull were all on target for the Ayrshire side, but Uddingston were equal to them as the game ended 3-3. Another close game between Clydesdale 4th XI and Hillhead 5B, in their first game of the season, saw Clydesdale take a 2-1 victory. Oliver Hayman got the consolation goal for Hillhead. With the Rottenrow vs. Greenock game being postponed, the only other result in this division saw GHK defeat Hillhead 5A 5-2.
There was a feisty game at Windyedge, in division three on Saturday, as Anchor defeated Hillhead 6 3-2. Both Captains received yellow cards throughout the game because of team dissent, but it was Anchor who took home the three points. Western 5th XI’s first game in the new division saw them take their first three points with a victory over Uddingston 5th XI; and Kelburne 4th XI battled hard to win all three points against a tough Strathclyde University 2nd XI.
A Mark Findlay hat-trick was the highlight in division four this week, as he helped his Helensburgh 3rd XI side maintain a winning start to the season, with a comprehensive 7-1 victory. Helensburghs experience overcame the young, skilful Hillhead side. The only other match in division four was the highly anticipated Dumfries derby, as the 2nd XI ‘hosted’ the 3rd XI. And it was the younger side that triumphed, with two goals from Neil Carr. Ewan Little scored the 2nd XI’s only goal, but the 3rd XI won 2-1.
Hillhead 3rd XIs win keeps them top of division one, with Helensburgh right on their tail. In division two, its GHK who sit atop the league, with Hillhead 5A winless at the bottom. Kelburne 4th XI are yet to drop a point and are in first place in division three, whilst Helensburgh 3rd XI have had a bright start and currently lead division four.
