Division ones relegated sides have been finalised after this weekend’s results.
It’s unfortunate news for Uddingston 3rd XI after their 7-3 defeat to Hillhead 4th XI confirmed they would be relegated to division two for next season. This came about as both Giffnock and Helensburgh won their games to put them out of reach of the south Lanarkshire club. Uddingston 3rd XI, who have won the district title twice now, as recent as two seasons ago will drop into division two for the first time since the 2013-14 season. It was a topsy-turvy game at the National Hockey Centre as Rottenrow played Helensburgh. Rottenrow took a narrow 2-1 lead into the second half after an excellent Tom Edwards strike from a penalty corner. Helensburgh went on to win the second half 2-0 however and take the important three points that ensured division one hockey next season. Giffnock did similar in a match against Kelburne 3rd XI that saw them run out comfortable 3-0 winners. The Friday night game saw Western 3rd XI overcome Hillhead 3rd XI and move one step closer to the district title.
Clydesdale 4th XI are back on top of division two after another 1-0 victory, this time over Ayr. The Titwood side have now won three 1-0s in a row, finding a way to eke out results, that now see them back on top of the division. It’s now in their hands with three games left. GHK got revenge for their mid-week defeat to Glasgow University 3rd XI as they defeated the students 5-2 at the High School of Glasgow. The three points keeps promotion hopes alive for GHK but will have been a sucker punch for the students who had managed to creep to the top of the table in midweek. At the other end of the table, Uddingston 4th XI pulled out an impressive 3-2 win over title contenders Hillhead 5B. The three points could be invaluable in ensuring Uddingston 4th XI remain in division two next season. Hillhead 5A also gave themselves hope with a 2-1 victory over relegation rivals Greenock 2nd XI; and Rottenrow 2nd XI moved further from the drop zone with a close 1-0 win over Dumfries.
Helensburgh 2nd XI and Western 5th XI shared the points at Hermitage Academy this week after a well fought game ended 2-2. Helensburgh took a narrow lead into half time and went two up early in the second half, but Western fought back to earn a valuable point that moves both clubs a step away from relegation. Uddingston 5th XI, on the other hand, lost a narrow 1-0 match to Hillhead 6th XI which could see them fall to division four, however they have plenty of games still to play to avoid that.
In division four, Giffnock 2nd XI remain in second place after they picked up maximum points away in Dumfries. It was a close game, however, with both sides looking like they could win it but Giffnock held out to win 3-2. Helensburgh 3rd XI overcame Hillhead 7th XI 4-2, before heading to Dumfries on Sunday to earn a point against Dumfries 3rd XI. The other match ended with Hillhead 8th XI winning 5-0 over Dumfries 3rd XI, on Saturday. Five different goal scorers for Hillhead as both Ollie and Chris Hamilton were amongst the scorers.
