It’s a Cup weekend yet again at Portland Park, and this time WOSFL Second Division counterparts Ashfield are to “first foot” us in our first match of 2023 and their first visit to the Ayrshire coast since 2014.
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Ashfield ⚽️
Saturday 7th January 2023
West of Scotland Football League Cup (Round 2)
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 1.30pm
We are looking forward to our 10th Cup match already this season (compared with 10 league games), as our focus shifts back to the West of Scotland Football League Cup 2nd Round this coming Saturday.
Jimmy Kirkwood’s men made a quietly confident start to the season, but their league form has stuttered in recent matches as they struggle to gain any kind of momentum with so many Cup matches to play, although they now have games in hand on those above them. With this week’s Cup match & a South Challenge Cup 4th round tie against Cumnock to look forward to, a special season is still very much in our own hands.
Ashfield have made a strong start to the season & currently sit in the promotion places in 3rd in a competitive WOSFL Second Division, with games in hand on those above them as they chase First Division football next season. They have shown well in the Cups as well, having taken Cumnock to penalties in the Scottish Junior Cup at Townhead Park after a tight game.
PLEASE REMEMBER!
Portland Park is still a work in progress, as the work continues around our new floodlights. Please see the article below & follow the guidance for safe passage around the ground.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s match…
Mark Morrison & Josh Black both return, after missing last week’s visit of Petershill due to suspension, while Kyle Gilroy made a return to action with no ill-effects. Ben Black will return after missing three games following a nasty challenge which resulted in a red card for Alex Riddock against St Cuthbert Wanderers, while Jack Sherrie is hoping for a return after suffering from pleurisy.
Logan Smith has had a setback with his hip complaint & is now set to be on the sidelines until into the New Year.
What a superb occasion last Friday was, magnificent for everyone involved at the club to see a really healthy crowd turning out for the official unveiling of the new floodlights. The roar that went up, at the second goal particularly, was something to behold & is something that makes a real difference on the pitch. All in all, the dawn of a new era for us for sure.
That said, I was a bit disappointed we couldn’t capitalise on the terrific support and reward it with three points. Perhaps the occasion got to the boys a wee bit in the first half & Petershill took full advantage to lead at the break, but we had 7 clear cut chances & efforts on goal and drew a blank. The number of chances we need to score & win a game is too many just now, we need to be more clinical in both boxes to get the results we are looking for. The pleasing aspect for me was the reaction from the lads in the second half to get our noses in front, and we’re certainly creating plenty of chances, but we need to be taking those. The equaliser for me was just wasn’t good enough, when you get your noses in front in the dying stages of a match you see it out. That can’t happen again.
Anyway, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of our supporters a very happy New Year & here’s to 2023 being the year we all want it to be.
Jimmy Kirkwood (Manager)
⚽️️ BOBBY BARR ⚽️
The former Livingston, Raith & St Johnstone forward Bobby joined Ashfield in August after leaving Cowdenbeath at the end of the 2021-22 season.
A standout wherever he’s played, he is equally comfortable coming in from the flank or playing up top & is a threat on any stage.
⚽️️ DAVID LEADBETTER ⚽️
A recent addition at Saracen Park, David joined from Cumbernauld United after their Premier Division campaign following 5 seasons at Rossvale where he served as Club Captain.
Still only 29, the influential full-back is a calming influence & his experience will spread throughout the back line & the rest of the team.
Troon F.C.
| DRAW | v | Petershill | (H) | 2-2 | Friday 30th December | WOSFL Premier Division |
| WON | v | Maryhill | (H) | 6-2 | Tuesday 27th December | Festive Friendly |
| LOST | v | Hurlford United | (A) | 1-0 | Saturday 3rd December | Scottish Junior Cup |
| LOST | v | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | (A) | 2-0 | Saturday 26th November | WOSFL Premier Division |
| WON | v | St Cuthbert Wanderers | (H) | 6-0 | Saturday 19th November | South Challenge Cup |
Ashfield
| WON | v | Craigmark Burntonians | (A) | 1-3 | Saturday 31st December | WOSFL Second Division |
| LOST | v | Yoker Athletic | (H) | 1-4 | Saturday 3rd December | WOSFL Second Division |
| LOST | v | Maryhill | (A) | 2-1 | Saturday 19th November | South Challenge Cup |
| WON | v | Lugar Boswell Thistle | (H) | 4-1 | Saturday 12th November | WOSFL Cup |
| WON | v | Maryhill | (H) | 3-0 | Saturday 5th November | WOSFL Second Division |
If you can’t make it along to the game , you can keep up to date with all the latest info via the club’s social media channels:
Live updates from the official Troon F.C. Twitter feed: @Troon_FC
- Team news pre-match
- Goal alerts
- News flashes
- Real time alerts
Match news via the official Troon F.C. Facebook page
- Team news pre-match
- Half-time score & update
- Full time results
Ashfield finished 7th in a hotly contested WOSFL Conference B for 2021-22, which saw them placed in the WOSFL Second Division for this season.
Troon started poorly in 2021-22 against some strong teams, but a mid-season surge saw them sitting comfortably in the 8th & 9th for the vast majority of the season before securing their place in the Premier Division for the 2022-23 season.
(before Saturday’s matches)
Referee: Chris Gentles
Assistant Referee One: Adam Holley
Assistant Referee Two: Ryan O’Neill
Referee Observer: To be appointed
For travelling supporters, have a look at our “How to get to Portland Park” page for directions and helpful tips.
Tickets are available at the turnstiles at Portland Park:
| Adult: | £8.00 |
| Concession: | £4.00 |
| Under-16: | FREE |
Season Tickets are NOT valid for this game.
A detailed match report will be posted in the match centre after the game, with the team line-ups, scorers & bookings on the specific match page for the fixture.
To visit the match centre, CLICK HERE.
The social club at Portland Park will be open from 12pm ahead of the 1.30pm kick-off, and supporters of both clubs are very welcome.
📺 Come early & stay late – enjoy the football on the big screen! 📺
| ⏰ 12.30pm | Tottenham Hotspur v Portsmouth | (FA Cup, 3rd round) ⚽️ |
| ⏰ 3.15pm | Villareal v Real Madrid | (La Liga) ⚽️ |
| ⏰ 5.30pm | Coventry City v Wrexham | (FA Cup, 3rd round) ⚽️ |
The bar will close after the conclusion of the 5.30pm match.
Scott will be selling tickets for our half-time draw at the gate before kick-off, and inside the ground throughout the first half for just 50p a ticket.
Our local resident food truck, SCRAN have our hungry supporters covered with their own take on “Football Food” – highly recommended!
They will be open from 10am on Saturday & will be open right through the match til the evening, selling a variety of hot food & drinks as well as cold drinks.
⚽️ Troon Development Team versus Dalry Thistle⚽️
Friday 13th January 2023
Sense over Sectarianism Scottish Lowland Development Football League (West Conference F)
QMA, Ayr
Kick-off 8pm
Head along & support the Troon stars of tomorrow!
⚽️ Clydebank versus Troon F.C.⚽️
Saturday 14th January 2023
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Holm Park, Yoker
Kick-off 2pm