Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Largs Thistle 1-1 Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 18th April 2026
WOSFL Premier Division
Barrfields Park, Largs
Kick-off 2pm

SPOILS SHARED AT BARRFIELDS AS LEAGUE LEADERS TROON HELD IN FRUSTRATING STALEMATE.

Troon F.C. were forced to settle for a point on their travels as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Largs Thistle in a disappointing encounter at Barrfields.

Coming into the match on the back of an excellent run that saw them surge back to the top of the table and secure a place in the WOSFL Cup Final, Troon had every reason for confidence. With their pre-season target of a top-eight finish and promotion already achieved with six games to spare, attention has now turned to maintaining momentum in what promises to be a demanding April. However, this was a reminder that there is still plenty of work to be done.

In the absence of manager Jimmy Kirkwood, Head Coach Andy Bell took charge and made just one change to the side that defeated Pollok, with Lewis Lovering returning to the starting XI. Largs boss Stuart Davidson, meanwhile, rotated his squad with one eye on next weekend’s Scottish Communities Cup Semi-Final against Buchanhaven Hearts, handing starts to David Ramsay and Conor Bradley after long injury layoffs.

The match got off to a controversial start inside the opening minute. Largs defender Cory Hughes was shown an early yellow card after catching Jack Allan with a high boot as he attempted to clear, with the Troon bench and travelling support incensed that a red card was not produced.

That frustration was compounded just five minutes later when the hosts took the lead. Dale Burgess did well to tip an initial effort onto the crossbar, but Lewis Davidson reacted quickest to slam home the rebound and put Largs ahead.

Troon struggled to find fluency in the early stages, and tensions rose further midway through the half when Callan Veitch was denied what appeared to be a clear foul, only to be booked moments later for a similar challenge himself.

The visitors thought they had equalised on 25 minutes when Luke Watt delivered an excellent cross that eventually found the net via Dario Viviani, but the goal was correctly ruled out for handball in the build-up.

Persistence eventually paid off just before the interval. Watt stepped up to take a free-kick from distance and caught goalkeeper George O’Connor off guard, drilling a low effort that crept under the jumping wall to bring Troon level at the break.

HALF-TIME: LARGS THISTLE 1-1 TROON F.C.

The second half, however, failed to live up to the drama of the first. Troon were forced into a change at the interval, with Veitch unable to continue after his earlier knock, and although both sides had moments, clear-cut chances were at a premium.

Largs came closest to restoring their lead when Ramsay headed wide from a Jamie Martin delivery, while Liam Lapsley also fired over under pressure. Troon attempted to inject urgency with a series of substitutions, including the introduction of Stephen Docherty, Dean Fulton and Sam Jamieson, but struggled to force any meaningful openings.

Late chances at either end hinted at a dramatic finish. Blair Devine headed narrowly wide for the hosts, while Watt blazed over from distance for Troon. In the dying moments, Will Sewell tried to snatch it for Largs, only for Nathan Baird to produce a crucial clearance.

FULL-TIME: LARGS THISTLE 1-1 TROON F.C.

In truth, neither side did enough to merit all three points in what was ultimately a disappointing contest. For Troon, it is a case of taking the point and moving on, with sterner tests to come as the title race intensifies.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Luke Watt, as voted for in our Supporter’s WhatsApp group chat after full-time.

by Graeme McKenzie

Will be posted after the match.

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/largs-180426-preview/

⚽️ Johnstone Burgh versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Wednesday 22nd April 2026
WOSFL Premier Division
Keanie Park, Johnstone
Kick-off 7.30pm