Troon Football Club

Recap

 Rutherglen Glencairn versus Troon F.C. 
Saturday 28th November 2020
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Hamish B. Allan Stadium, Rutherglen G73 1HZ
Kick-off 1.45pm

 

MATCH REPORT by Richard Henderson

Troon won their third match out of four to maintain their unbeaten start to the league campaign with a hard-fought win at Rutherglen Glencairn.

The Seasiders were forced to start the match without any of their recognised back four, with James McGowan & Jack Sherrie serving one-match suspensions after their sendings-off at Beith, and Dean Keenan (shoulder) and Mark Morrison (ankle) out injured. New signing Isaac Kerr was drafted straight into a new look defensive line, and that line was put under immediate scrutiny when Jay McKay burst through in the opening minutes, but Scott Chatham tracked Harry Mitchell’s through ball superbly to intercept. Jordan Morton created the first Troon attack, when he beat his man to race down the Troon left, but his cross was just slightly too high for Alan Frizzell. The Seasiders did open the scoring on the 6th minute though, with some good work from Todd Henderson & Morton creating the chance for Dean Fulton; the lively wide man turning his marker & curling an effort high into the home goal giving Scott McLellan no chance. Frizzell, making his full debut after a promising cameo last weekend, was causing the home defence all kinds of problems alongside the dangerous Stevenson, and he came close to doubling the lead shortly after, but his shot was parried to safety. Stevenson tried to take advantage of the low sun by firing a free-kick right in on keeper McLellan 20 minutes in, but the Glencairn shot-stopper could see enough to claim the high ball and clear. A brilliantly-timed challenge by Henderson stopped Del McNab in his tracks as he threatened on the left, while at the other end Chatham headed over the bar right on the whistle.

Rutherglen fought hard to get back into the game & a hard-fought midfield battle ensued, but the visitors shaded the half with few more chances being created by either side.

HALF-TIME: RUTHERGLEN GLENCAIRN 0-1 TROON F.C.

A slow start to the second half saw both teams missing chances, but it was almost the perfect start for Troon as home defender Thomas Miller was caught in possession by Stevenson in the 50th minute. The former Ipswich man looked set to double the visitors’ lead, but Miller redeemed himself as he stretched his leg out just in time to divert the shot out for a corner. The Troon number collectively held their breath just before the hour when the referee awarded a spot-kick to Rutherglen, after Raymond Montgomerie was judged to trip the Glencairn attacker just as he stepped into the box. Harry Mitchell stepped up & his firm shot struck the crossbar, rebounding to safety on the railway line. The impressive Frizzell was replaced on 70 minutes by Ryan Nisbet, and just a few minutes later came what looked to be the turning point of the half. Rutherglen’s Mick O’Byrne, who had been engaged in a fascinating duel with Stevenson throughout the match, overstepped the mark & sent the former Hearts attacker sprawling before being shown a second yellow & a red card. The visitors instantly capitalised on their man advantage, and from the resulting free-kick Jaime Gallagher found the head of debutant Isaac Kerr, who headed home to double the lead & presumably seal the match against the 10 men. But that wouldn’t be very Troon-like…

The home side rallied after some words of encouragement from Manager Willie Harvey, and pushed forward seeking to get back in the game. After Del McNab was thwarted by young Todd Henderson, who was having an excellent game at right-back, sub Kieron Maxwell sidestepped a Scott Chatham tackle to sail a lovely snapshot over the head of Lundy and into the far corner. After a composed performance, Troon were now clinging on against their numerically inferior hosts, but even that advantage was wiped out when Gallagher saw a second yellow card for kicking the ball away in the dying stages to leave it 10 men apiece.

Another victory for the Seasiders, and another we had to work very hard for; the management team must be delighted with the hard work & togetherness on show every weekend. Three points that were enough to see us go second in the early table, and certainly gives us a great platform to progress & do something special in a very unusual season. Kirkintilloch Rob Roy next weekend at Portland Park will pose a new challenge again.

 

 MATCH OFFICIALS 

Referee: David Milton
Assistant Referee One: Scott Bunting
Assistant Referee Two: Yaser Razouk

Referee Supervisor: George Clyde

 MATCH PREVIEW 

To read the match preview, follow the link: http://troonfootballclub.co.uk/rutherglen-281120-match-preview/

 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

Match highlights, courtesy of the club’s new official Media Partner, Memories by Movie, will appear here after the game.

 

 

📸 MATCH PHOTOGRAPHS 📸

Match photographs, courtesy of the club’s new official photographer JP, are available to view below:

 NEXT FIXTURE 

Troon F.C. versus Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 
Saturday 5th December 2020
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon KA10 6QN
Kick-off 1.45pm