Dumfries 2’s welcomed Helensburgh 3’s to the KGV on Saturday, bearing in mind the previous weekend’s result but conscious of their improving performances by in recent weeks.

Dumfries started brightly, with the mix of youth and experience instantly gelling, taking the game to Helensburgh. Good play by the Dumfries midfield resulted in Max McFarlane scoring two quick goals to seemingly put Dumfries in charge but this was almost undone when Helensburgh secured their first penalty corner of the game after a quick counterattack. The initial shot on goal was defended well before the follow up was also stopped by the Captain’s feet resulting in the award of a penalty flick but this was well saved by his Keeper to keep the score at 2-0. Spurred on by this, Dumfries quickly took charge of the game again with the younger players in the team all playing their parts and Max McFarlane completed his hat trick following some strong, determined play within the Helensburgh after linking up well with Iain Callander. Helensburgh however opened their scoring just after this pulling back a goal from another swift counterattack but before their celebrations had finished, Iain Callander scored a quickfire solo goal to restore the three goal margin for the home side.

Turning around at halftime with further words of encouragement from the senior players in their ranks the youngsters in the Dumfries team continued to play well with Jack Callander, Freddie Brown, Ruaridh Harris, Joshua Campbell, Adam Kerr, Toby Macklin and Freddie Smith all contributing to a good team performance alongside the mix of senior and experienced players around them in attack and midfield. Iain Callander added his second and a fifth goal for the home side before debutant Freddie Smith was unfortunate to clear the ball past his own keeper to give Helensburgh a second goal before John Bennett finished the scoring for the home side. Helensburgh then scored a late goal following a scrambled short corner in the closing minutes of the game to make the final score 6-3 in the home side’s favour for a well-deserved win.

Grateful thanks from all the players to Ross Carson and Scott Marshall for umpiring the game and for Scott McFarlane managing the touchline players throughout the game. The player’s player of the match was given to debutant Freddie Smith for his whole hearted efforts throughout the game.

Team Line Up: S Moscrop (GK), F Smith, T Macklin, P Joyce, I Callander, M Redman (Capt), F Brown, J Callander, J Bennett, R Harris & M MacFarlane.
Reserves: D McCuaig, L Stores, J Campbell, A Kerr.