Troon Football Club

Recap

MATCH REPORT by Michael Connelly

Our first competitive game of the season was our only away match of the West Region Sectional League Cup Group 2, ahead of the visits of Irvine Meadow & Craigmark to Portland park during the week.

Considering the recent weather, our hosts had the pitch in good condition. We had the best of the early exchanges and deservedly took the lead in the 12th minute. A good strike from Ryan Stevenson took a slight deflection past the Irvine Vics keeper. We created a couple of other chances, but Vics equalised in the 35th minute, despite a heroic save from ScoJo with the initial shot. It was looking like an initial half-time draw until Raymond Montgomerie was fouled inside the box in the 42nd minute. Ryan Stevenson coolly slotted home the spot-kick.

HALF-TIME: IRVINE VICTORIA 1-2 TROON F.C.

The heavens opened at the start of the second half and it duly poured throughout. A clumsy challenge by big John Gemmell in the 53rd minute resulted in the home side being awarded a penalty. The shot crashed off the crossbar and was duly collected by ScoJo. Evan Maley replaced Steven McCreadie a few minutes later and in the 60th minute a cool finish by Dylan Pooler gave us a deserved 1-3 lead. Two further substitutions followed with Ross McCrea and Scott Dinwoodie replaced Scott Chatham and Dean Fulton respectively. We finished the game strongly and deserved the 4th goal. Some good build-up play led up to Dylan Pooler scoring his second of the match.

A comfortable victory which was well deserved and gives us a positive start to our season.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Dylan Pooler. Not just for his two well taken goals, but his work-rate was exceptional throughout the 90 minutes.

IRVINE VICTORIA LINE-UP:

1. Blair Cousar
2. Jordan Craig
3. Robbie Murray
4. Michael Holden (c)
5. Ryan Singleton
6. Alex Somerville
7. Ryan Morrow
8. Ross Loughlin
9. Callum McDade
10. Daniel Watson
11. Jonathan Baxter

SUBS:

12. Connor Macauley
13. Logan Pipe
14. Ewan McLuckie
15. Caolan Brown
16. –

 

REFEREE: Chris Gentles
ASSISTANT REFEREE: Club linesman
ASSISTANT REFEREE: Club linesman