Helensburgh Thistle has claimed the District League Youth Championship in style, scoring three goals to knock off University in the Grand Final at Crehan Park. University was the only side that had avoided defeat to Helensburgh in the regular season, winning in Round 8 and holding them to a one-all draw in Round 19, however, they were unable to contain the Thistle on this occasion conceding three second-half goals.

The first half of the match was an entertaining affair with both sides creating numerous chances to take an early lead. In the 8^th minute of the match, a poor clearance from University’s goalkeeper, Caleb Biondi, who slipped when kicking the ball, nearly gifted Helensburgh a perfect start. Having received the ball from Biondi’s miskick, Thistle midfielder, Alex Lee, lobbed a delicate cross to striker, Luke Miller. However, despite the goal being goalkeeper-less, Miller was unable to head the ball on target as it bounced just wide of the post.

Four minutes later, University had their first promising opportunity of the match when Aiden Dennis found himself one on one with the keeper. Dennis placed the ball past the keeper but had failed to make solid contact with the ball which gave Helensburgh’s, Dale Edmund, time to clear the ball before it crossed the line.

In the 20^th minute, poor defending from Helensburgh allowed University's top scorer, Oscar Borschmann through on goal. However, like Deonis before, Borschmann was poor in front of goal, with his attempted chip over the keeper going wide of the post.

While University’s chances caused slight concern among the Helensburgh faithful, real worry was evident in the 29^th minute when their skipper, Jack Dipple, was stretchered off the field. With 19 goals to his name throughout the season, Helensburgh would be forced to regroup with one of their most important cogs missing going into the second half.

University started the second half brightly, coming close to scoring in the 53^rd minute. Having won a free kick on the edge of the box, University whipped in a ball only for the Thistle defence to rise and head it away. However, the clearance went no further than the edge of the area where University's, Tim Dixon rifled a half-volley towards goal which was well punched away by Braiden Gilbert in goal. Gilbert’s save triggered a dangerous counterattack for the Thistle, which resulted in Luke Miller passing the ball past the keeper. However, his finish also lacked power and was cleared by University’s Christian Presslaber.

Four minutes later, Helensburgh nearly gifted the lead to University. Having been played a weak-back pass from halfway, Helensburgh’s keeper, Braiden Gilbert had to sprint out to the pass that had become a through ball for University’s Borschmann. Gilbert narrowly beat Borschmann to the ball, however, could not avoid kicking the ball into the University forward. The ball rebounded high into the air as the crowd held their breath, only for the ball to land on the top of the net rather than in it.

This lucky break provided a wake-up call to Helensburgh who went down the field to score less than a minute later. Tearing down the left-wing, Luke Miller approached the goalkeeper, where his shot with the aid of a couple of deflections found its way into the back of the net to give the Thistle the lead.

Helensburgh was not prepared to sit on a one-goal lead though. Less than three minutes after scoring his first, Miller was played through on goal again via a defence-splitting ball from midfield. Brimming with confidence, Miller coolly tucked away his second of the afternoon.

Down 2-0, University now had to chase the game, throwing lots of men forward. They created chances; however, it was evident that if given the chance Helensburgh would look to exploit their weakened defence.

However, in the chaos of chasing the championship, University created a golden opportunity for Helensburgh to seal the match. Miscommunication between University’s centre-halves, Liam Epson and Patrick Trihey, resulted in them colliding heads while attempting to head a Helensburgh clearance, which let Ben Watts storm through on goal. One on one with the keeper, Watts made no mistake, securing the title for the Thistle.

Minutes later the referee blew his whistle, causing ecstasy among the Helensburgh players, coaching staff and fans. It was a deserved victory for the Thistle, whose finishing in front of goals ultimately took them over the line in an even contest.

Commiserations for University, who played equally as well as Helensburgh but were not as potent in front of goal. They finish the season trophy-less having missed out on the Premiership to Helensburgh by a point and the loss this afternoon.

21^st September 2019 @ Crehan Park

Helensburgh – 3 (Miller 59’, 62’, Watts 90’)

University – 0

Helensburgh – Braiden GILBERT, Nicholas CRAWFORD, Dylan CROCKER, Fynn RODGERS, Brady TIPPING, Ben WATTS, Alex LEE, Kade KINSELLA, Jack DIPPLE, Luke MILLER.

Interchange – Zac GUEST, Nick CRAWFORD, Jake MATIUSCENKO, Reilly TASKER, Cormac WALSH, Broughton WEBB

University – Caleb BIONDI, Tim DIXON, Ben POTTS, Liam EMPSON, Christian PRESSLABER, Patrick TRIHEY, Alex SHEARGOLD, Julian JANSMA-SMITH, Oscar BORSCHMANN, Mitchell LEWIS, Aiden DENNIS.

Interchange – Luka CAKIC, Patrick NOBLE, Marcus ZOUROUDIS, Hasan AYOUB, Antonios KINNAS

Referee – Jay WALPOLE

Assistants – Casey FLEMMING, Stuart DERBRIDGE.

Fourth Official – Lottie CABASSI-POWER

Report by Nic Wilson, on Twitter @_nicwilson

Photo by Pedro Garcia