Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Troon F.C. 2-5 Auchinleck Talbot ⚽️
Saturday 13th September 2025
FinestCarMats South Challenge Cup Round 2
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm

Seasiders crash out the Cup at home to a rampant Talbot.

Troon’s South Challenge Cup journey ended at the second-round stage as Auchinleck Talbot once again proved their quality at Portland Park, running out 5–2 winners in front of a healthy crowd. Sponsored this year by FinestCarMats, the competition provided a break from league duty, though it was the visitors who underlined their credentials with a ruthless performance.

Before kick-off, there was a touching moment as Troon’s 2017 youth side led the teams out as mascots. The young Seasiders also carried out a bucket collection at the gate, with supporters urged to contribute towards the development of just one of the club’s thriving youth squads.

On the pitch, Jimmy Kirkwood made two changes from the side that beat Drumchapel the previous week. Calum Gow returned from suspension to captain the side with Leyton Dunlop absent with a calf strain, while Callan Veitch replaced Kyle Faulds in midfield. Auchinleck also shuffled their pack, with Ruairidh Langan and Alex Nimmo restored to the starting XI.

Unfortunately for the home support, it was Talbot who made the brighter start. With just five minutes gone, Langan was afforded far too much time on the right and whipped in a delightful cross. Kyle McAvoy ghosted between Troon’s centre-backs to nod the visitors into the lead.

The early setback seemed to knock Troon out of their stride, and Talbot took full advantage. On 23 minutes, a teasing ball from Luke Main found Nimmo, who finished clinically to double the advantage. Troon struggled to get any rhythm, while Talbot’s movement and intensity constantly asked questions. McAvoy should have had a second on 31 minutes but blazed over, though he made no mistake eight minutes later, outmuscling Luke Watt before delicately dinking the ball past an on-rushing Dale Burgess to make it 3–0 at the interval.

HALF-TIME: TROON F.C. 0-3 AUCHINLECK TALBOT

Kirkwood’s men needed a fast start to the second half, but instead it was Talbot who struck again. Barely three minutes after the restart, Main added his name to the scoresheet with a header that effectively ended the contest at 4–0.

With the tie slipping away, Troon made a triple substitution just before the hour mark, introducing Faulds, Evan Ferguson and Dean Fulton in an attempt to freshen things up. Talbot responded in kind, making changes of their own to protect legs ahead of a busy schedule.

There was a brief flicker of hope for the Seasiders on 69 minutes when Jack Sherrie scrambled home from close range, reducing the deficit to 4–1. Any chance of a comeback was extinguished within five minutes, however, when substitute Ewan Thomson coolly restored Talbot’s four-goal cushion.

To their credit, Troon continued to push forward despite the scoreline. Substitute Lewis Lovering grabbed a consolation in the final minute, converting at the back post after neat build-up play, but it was scant relief at the end of a disappointing afternoon.

Troon will reflect on a poor showing, their worst of the season so far, while Talbot’s travelling support will be buoyed by another clinical display that suggests the league leaders are primed for yet another strong campaign.

It’s the big one next Saturday as Troon travel to Beith in the second round of the Scottish Communities Cup (formerly the Scottish Junior Cup).

MAN OF THE MATCH: Jack Sherrie

by Graeme McKenzie

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/talbot-130925-preview/

⚽️ Beith versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 20th September 2025
3 Pillars Financial Planning Scottish Communities Cup Round 2
Bellsdale Park, Beith
Kick-off 2.30pm