Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Troon F.C. 2-2 Kilmarnock ⚽️
Monday 21st July 2025
Pre-Season Friendly
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 7.30pm

Entertaining Draw Rounds Off Pre-Season Preparations

Troon and a youthful Kilmarnock side served up a lively encounter at Portland Park on Monday evening, as the team signed off their pre-season schedule with an entertaining 2–2 draw in front of a healthy crowd.

Kilmarnock took the lead with just 18 minutes on the clock through a moment of individual brilliance. Craig Watson, handed free-kick duties 25 yards from goal, curled a superb effort over the Troon wall and beyond the reach of a stranded Dale Burgess to open the scoring.

Troon responded well to falling behind and found their equaliser on the half-hour mark. Leyton Dunlop’s in-swinging corner was perfectly flighted, and Stephen Bronsky rose highest in the box to power a header off the underside of the crossbar and in – a well-worked goal that had the home support on their feet.

But parity was short-lived. Just seven minutes later, Watson was involved again, bursting into the box only to be hauled back by Evan Ferguson. Referee Ross Menzies pointed to the spot, and Watson took responsibility himself. Although his initial penalty was well saved by Burgess, the rebound fell kindly and Watson was on his toes to restore Killie’s lead at the second time of asking.

The visitors went into the break 2–1 ahead with an impressive performance, but it was a determined Troon who came out for the second half and they continued to push right from the restart, showing good energy and attacking intent. Their perseverance paid off on the hour mark when Stephen Docherty was brought down just inside the area after a driving run. The forward dusted himself off to take the spot-kick, smashing it past the goalkeeper with conviction to level the scores once again.

Both sides created further chances in the closing stages, with Troon looking the more likely to grab a winner. Docherty and Dario Viviani both went close, but the Kilmarnock back line stood firm, and the spoils were shared at full-time.

The draw concludes Troon’s pre-season adventure, Manager Jimmy Kirkwood will be pleased with his side’s character and sharpness ahead of the competitive campaign. For Kilmarnock, the fixture provided valuable minutes for their development squad, who showed flashes of promise despite the draw.

Troon now turn their focus to the start of the WOSFL Premier Division league campaign, which kicks off this weekend with an away trip to Renfrew at their temporary home of Saint Anthony’s McKenna Park – a stern early test in what promises to be a competitive season.

by Graeme McKenzie

 

⚽️ Renfrew versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 26th July 2025
WOSFL Premier Division
McKenna Park, Govan
Kick-off 2pm