Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Blantyre Victoria ⚽️
Wednesday 11th August 2021
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 7.15pm

 

MATCH REPORT by Richard Henderson

Troon were hugely frustrated at themselves for losing what is already, even at this early stage of the season, looking like a vital clash at Portland Park.

The Seasiders welcomed a healthy crowd into the ground on a sunny evening in Ayrshire, but they got off to the worst possible start right from kick-off, with an uncharacteristic mistake from Mark Morrison as he sliced the ball out of play for a corner. Troon missed two opportunities to clear before the ball fell to veteran Simon Eeles, who curled the ball home from a tight angle with barely a minute on the clock. Troon reacted in the best possible way, forcing a corner of their own straight from the kick-off, and Sam McCloskey’s pin-point delivery met the head of a determined Darren Miller to rise highest & power in an equaliser for the home side. The basketball-style opening to the game continued, and just a few minutes later Grant Brennan went on a wonderful mazy run through the Troon defence, only to see his shot drag wide past the despairing Fisher’s goal. Ben Black was next to threaten, meeting a clever set-piece from a Jaime Gallagher corner but watching his effort rise high over the bar. Dean Fulton & Morrison combined well to create a gilt-edged opportunity, a neat one-two setting up Ryan Nisbet to swing in a dangerous ball but Alan Frizzell & Fulton weren’t able to beat the keeper. Troon were well in command at this stage & Blantyre looked to be holding on for the interval, before McCloskey struck a sweet effort from range which just skimmed the post to go wide. Miller saw another powerful header from a corner cleared off the line this time, before controversy reigned with just a few minutes to go. A Scott Gibson cross ball was swung in and, as Fisher collided with Tommy Maitland to collect, the club side linesman raised his flag to a wall of shocked Blantyre faces (and a few relieved Troon ones) as Eeles fired home what looked like a perfectly good goal. Not to be the last controversial moment surrounding the officials though.

HALF-TIME: TROON F.C. 1-1 BLANTYRE VICTORIA

Troon had clearly had some choice words during the interval, and came out looking to make amends for some spurned chances in the first 45. The lively Ben Black was looking the most likely, and he made a great opportunity for himself just inside the restart but leaned back & saw his effort rise high over Liam Campbell’s crossbar. Black was at the heart of the next move as he drove at the Vics defence & feeding Frizzell, but his cross was just too high for Ben to get on the end at the back post. A McCloskey free-kick was the next threat & as Miller headed the ball on, Troon screamed for a penalty for a foul on Frizzell by the keeper, only to be waved away before Blantyre cleared. The visiting side visibly grew in confidence the longer they hung on, and John Cunningham had their first opportunity of the half nearing the hour mark, capitalising on some slack play to collect an Eeles through ball to trouble Fisher before Ronan Kearney stung the palms of Fisher from distance. Fish was called into action again a minute later after a comical Troon set-play saw an inevitable breakaway, but the former Annbank keeper pushed the Kearney effort away for a corner. Both teams made changes, but it didn’t slow Blantyre’s improvement in the game and Blantyre’s U20 prodigy Kyle McDonald combined well with Brennan to sting Fisher’s palms once more. But Brennan wasn’t finished & a long-range effort from the former Stirling man from just outside the box was palmed away by Fisher & McDonald was on hand to tap home from six yards out to restore the lead for the visitors on 64 minutes. And in all honesty, at this stage it was a lead Blantyre never really looked like surrendering, indeed they pushed forward to extend their lead & Troon had Maitland to thank just a moment later as he blocked an effort from Mikey Archer. Blantyre nearly extended their lead on 70 minutes, that man McDonald again testing the keeper before the inevitable came – although not as expected. Kearney drove at the Troon defence & as he entered the box was challenged by Morrison, and referee Keiran Trayner pointed to the spot, a decision which certainly seemed in the harsh category. As Dale Jones stepped up Fisher did well to block, but Jones was quickest off the mark & buried the rebound despite the close attentions of Miller. With just a few minutes to go, the home side cut a dejected figure & the healthy home side headed for the exit gates. Sadly, the misery didn’t end there & Troon Captain Raymond Montgomerie was harshly adjudged to have fouled Gibson when it looked like he had won the ball. A second yellow card was followed by a red to round off a miserable day at the office.

It’s one step forward, one step back at the moment for Troon who are lacking that consistency they crave just now. Off to Bonnyton this Saturday with a chance for redemption.

Bonus match this week, with our Under 20 Development side playing at Portland Park on Friday night against Dalry Thistle.7.15pm kick-off, come on down & support the Troon stars of tomorrow!

 

Referee: Keiran Trayner
Assistant Referee One: Ian Hart
Assistant Referee Two: Craig Livingstone

 

To read the match preview, follow the link: https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/blantyre-110821-preview/

 

Match photographs, courtesy of the club’s official photographer JP!

 

⚽️ Troon Development Team versus Dalry Thistle U20s ⚽️
Friday 13th August 2021
Lowland Development League (Conference F)
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 7.15pm

 

⚽️ Bonnyton Thistle versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 14th August 2021
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Synergy Arena, Kilmarnock
Kick-off 2pm