Young 4s show promise in the Linwood Rain
/Kelburne Men’s 4s v Helensbrough Men’s 2s
22/10/2022 - 12:00pm
Kelburne M4s 2-7 Helensbrough M2s
Scorer: Willy Hunt (2)
In a rain soak Linwood at noon on 22 October Kelburne 4’s sought to continue there West District league quest against Helensburgh 2’s.
Umpires pre match did have a decision to make as condition underfoot were very slippery and the pitch was showing signs of the holding water before a ball was pushed. However with the pitch deemed safe and play allowed to start.
It was Kelburne from the push back, who had early pressure. In the first few minutes they had the ball crashing through the dee and out for a Helensburgh 16. Positive signs from Kelburne’s developing young talent pool.
However, Helensburgh quickly responded at the other end with a drive down the right wing and a fizzing shot straight across the Kelburne dee, fortunately this was not met by any player and the ball was keenly watch out by Kelburne’s keeper. Perhaps this was a sign of what Helensburgh had un the locker, with what looked like big strong outfit they had brought to Paisley.
Indeed it was not long before Helensburgh were back on the attack securing the 1st short corner of the day, after a Kelburne foot inside the dee. Another foot from the corner lead to a 2nd successive short corner, fercily contested by Kelburn.
Only 9 mins in and Helensburgh’s continued pressure does force the breakthrough and it’s 0-1 Helensburgh.
Kelburne look to respond immediately and make it up the park forcing a long corner after good work by Angus Menzies. A promising attack thwarted by a strong Helensburgh defence on this occasion.
As we reach the mid way point in the 1st half, Helensburgh are starting to make the experience tell and pressing high up the park with Kelburne struggling to get out there half for prolonged periods.
However a determined group are Kelburne and again play down the left side saw some excellent interchange play from Angus, Ian and Bruce force a Kelburn short corner. A good structured attack from the short corner resulted in a Helensburgh’s keeper being required to make a solid save.
As the 1st half advances, Helensburgh started mounting continued presssure and force a number of saves from Kelburne’s goal keeper who is seeing more of the action than he would like.
In 26mins Kelburne, against the run of play, break on the right, which results in a short corner. After the initial attack from the corner was well defended by Helensburgh, the follow on play and pressure saw Wille Hunt take advantage GOAL!!!
And it is 1-1.
However, poor Kelburne marking resulted in a very simple Helensburgh goal just after the 30min mark. 1-2 Helensburgh.
Kelburne did press near the end of the half with a couple of opportunities fizzle out without any real ask of the Helensburgh defence or goalkeeper.
Half time 1-2 and a chance for Kelburne to regroup.
The second half started in better conditions than the first with the rain easing and the underfoot conditions looking better.
Helensburgh break from the start and extend there lead with an early goal. 1-3 Helensburgh. Not the start Kelburne were hoping for at the start of the 2nd half.
Kelburne did pull one back via a W. Hunt PF, after the Helensburgh defender was deemed to illegally prohibited a goal scoring opportunity with a foot 4 yards out.
2-3 Helensburgh.
As the game entered the final third, gaps were really starting to emerge in the middle of the park with no team really able to take any advantage. Just then Helensburgh break forwards and move straight through on goal leaving the keeper no chance 2-4 Helensburgh.
The last 10mins of the game prove very challenging for Kelburne, the Helensburgh strength and depth of squad really starts to show as Kelburne appear to show fatigue from all the pressing they have been doing throughout the game.
Helensburgh continued pressure results in a series of consecutive short corners without conversion.
Kelburne short corner against the run of play results in a mis communication at the edge of the dee and the ball breaks to Helensburgh who quickly advance to the opposite end of the pitch and it is another goal 2-5.
In the dying minutes of the match Helensburgh add a further two goal to close the match out convincing and deserved 2-7 winners.
While the final score reflects badly on the young Kelburne side, it perhaps is an unjustified reflection on the overall performance of a young team who were up against a much older, stronger, more physical and experienced side from Helensburgh today. There remains many green shoots for this Kelburne side and with time it is clear things will come together.
