It’s quite the start to 2026 as we are straight back to home comforts after the festive break, as we welcome our old friends from Beith to Portland Park for our WOSFL Cup 4th round match of the season.
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Beith ⚽️
Saturday 10th January 2026
Strathclyde Demolition West of Scotland Cup 4th Round
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm
After a superb year in 2025, we enter 2026 full of optimism and determination.
The Saturday before Christmas against Johnstone Burgh was our 21st competitive match of the season, and we boast a superb 16 wins from those 21 matches played. We may be a couple of matches ahead of Auchinleck Talbot at this stage, but 2 points in front at the top of the table is an excellent start to 2026 so far. But there is plenty of football still to be played!
Given the upcoming league reconstruction this summer, the league campaign is about to get exciting as teams vie for a place in the new Lowland League West for next season. Both Troon and Beith are on the pathway to their SFA licence and plan to be in the mix come the business end of the season.
Beith have had a difficult season so far, certainly in comparison to recent reasons, although their form has shown signs of recovery of late which will give the Cabes supporter’s a glimmer of hope. The club saw a real summer of flux in 2025, which seemed inevitable after Chris Strain stepped down as Manager just before our match in March. A massive number of players departed for pastures new in May, and a strong period of recruitment has followed the appointment of new Manager Michael Dunlop.
The club have certainly backed their new man, with a number of his ex-Gartcairn charges making the move, and they will be hoping to see the team kick on in the second half of the season.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s match…
The queue for Darrell’s treatment table has reduced in recent weeks, and the enforced break over Christmas certainly didn’t do any harm!
Callan Veitch has been a very welcome returnee to the matchday squad after a couple of months out with a shoulder injury, while Scott McLean back on the park against Girvan was a very pleasant surprise for the watching Seasiders! He still has plenty of work to do to get back to full fitness & in contention for a starting jersey in a competitive match, but it was a wonderful taste for him to get park on the park & get a touch of the ball. Luke Watt was another who returned to the field after being absent with a hip complaint which has kept him side-lined since the Talbot match in early September, although he is another who still has plenty of work to do himself to get to 100%.
Captain Mark Morrison has returned to training and is hopeful to return to the matchday squad in the next couple of weeks following a hip complaint that has kept him out since July.
A warm welcome back to the football after the festive break, and a very Happy New Year to everyone! I hope everyone had a good holiday season with their families, and I wish you all the best for 2026.
Great to be back at the football after a prolonged break (which nobody asked for) and all ready for an exciting second half to the campaign.
It’s just as well the two clubs get on well & we enjoy our matches, because this is our third match against Beith already this season (with one still to come!), and although we have two wins under our belt both wins have been by a goal each time, so I’m sure it’ll be another tight affair. Mick Dunlop has recruited heavily this season, and he has recruited well, so we are acutely aware of the challenge we face on Saturday. A far better side than the league table would suggest, and one which will be out for revenge for the two games already played this season.
There is so much to play for in the second half of the season, with all the reconstruction going on next summer, and being top of the Premier Division at the end of 2025 has us in the perfect place to kick on. There was undoubtedly a plateau in terms of performances in December, but we’ve had a reset and now we need to turn up. This week’s Cup match and two vital league matches in January could push us where we want to go, but we have to be at our best. And to do that, we need you all right behind us!
Come on down & give the boys your support, ‘Mon the Troon!!
Jimmy Kirkwood (Manager)
| Full Name | Beith Juniors Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The ‘Cabes or The Mighty |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Ground | Bellsdale Park, Beith |
| Capacity | 2,200 |
| President | Gordon Irving |
| Manager | Michael Dunlop |
| Captain | Ross Davidson |
| 2024-25 | WOSFL Premier Division, 11th from 16 |
⚽️️ KIERAN MacDONALD ⚽️
A recent signing for Beith from Troon, Macca is well known at Portland Park after a brief spell at the seaside.
The 32 year old former Motherwell, Clyde, Hamilton & Airdrieonians defender boasts an excellent pedigree with over 200 matches in the SPFL, playing in all four leagues across a sterling career.
Comfortable in both full-back & midfield positions, the Lowland League winner moved to Portland Park in June and his impact was almost immediate, with an assist in his first match away to Craigmark. But following the return from injury of long-serving Jack Sherrie, and with the player fit & raring to go, he was understandably keen for first team football & the club were keen to respect that.
He’ll be keen to do well & impress this weekend.
⚽️️ CHARLIE COWIE ⚽️
The 21 year old shot-stopper was an excellent signing for the Cabes in XXX as they look to solve a problem position. The youngster has already made a strong impression in the WOSFL Premier at Gartcairn, another player who previously played under Mick Dunlop.
Began his career with hometown club Queen of the South, where he spent nearly a decade and made a handful of appearances. Loan spells with Dalbeattie Star, Gartcairn and Gretna 2008 followed to give him first team experience, before a permanent move to Gartcairn in January 2025.
He impressed in that spell & now comes into the Beith goal with a growing reputation. His qualities and presence will be vital at Bellsdale under his former Gartcairn gaffer.
© Thanks to our club photographer Graeme McKenzie for his photos – fantastic, as always!
Troon F.C.
| LOST | LOST | WON | WON | WON |
| 1-2 | 2-1 | 2-0 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Johnstone Burgh (H) | Benburb (A) | Arthurlie (H) | Carnoustie (A) | St. Cadoc’s (A) |
| Sat 20th December | Sat 13th December | Sat 6th December | Sat 29th November | Sat 15th November |
| WOSFL Premier | Scottish Communities Cup R5 | WOSFL Cup R2 | Scottish Communities Cup R4 | WOSFL Premier |
Beith Juniors
| WON | LOST | WON | LOST | LOST |
| 0-2 | 1-3 | 0-1 | 2-0 | 1-6 |
| Shotts (A) | Pollok (H) | Kilwinning (A) | Renfrew (A) | Drumchapel (H) |
| Sat 20th December | Sat 13th December | Sat 6th December | Wed 26th November | Sat 22nd November |
| WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Cup R3 | WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Premier |
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 (nope, still not calling it X yet)
- Team news pre-match
- Goal alerts
- News flashes
- Real time alerts
Make sure you follow our NEW feed!
Match news via the official Troon F.C. Facebook page
- Team news pre-match
- Half-time score & update
- Full time results
All news on the club FIRST via the official Troon F.C. WhatsApp Supporter’s Group chat
- Vote for your Man of the Match
- Info on functions & events
- Book your seat on away buses
- Discuss the match with fellow Troon fans!
It was 2 wins out of 2 in the Premier Division for the Seasiders last season with two very impressive performances and no shortage of goals.
HOME MATCH
| Saturday 5th October 2024 | Match Centre |
| TROON FOOTBALL CLUB | WON | Portland Park |
| BEITH | 4-1 | WOSFL Premier |
The first encounter of 2024-25 was a barnstorming affair.
Fraser Malcolm gave the visitors the perfect start with a 6th minute strike, before Leyton Dunlop restored parity only 3 minutes later with a well-worked team goal. Dean Fulton gave the swashbuckling Seasiders’ the lead with another free-flowing move just six minutes later and the same man threatened to extend that lead only a minute or two after that but Stott saved. Beith came back into the match after that without threatening Burgess’ goal, before Stevie Noble controversially saw red in the 29th minute for a second bookable offence. A half-time stramash in the tunnel between both teams really set the temperatures racing!
Beith started the better of the two teams once again, only to find themselves further behind thanks to Sam Jamieson’s 53rd minute goal before Callan Veitch rounded off the scoring in the 57th minute to set Troon on their way to an ultimately comfortable victory.
AWAY MATCH
| Saturday 8th March 2025 | Match Centre |
| BEITH | WON | New Tinto Park |
| TROON FOOTBALL CLUB | 0-5 | WOSFL Premier |
The return match in March was to be another fantastic performance from the Seasiders at Bellsdale, the scene of a few excellent displays for Troon in recent seasons.
Following the shock resignation of Manager Chris Strain during the preceding week, Shaun Dillon was appointed interim Manager with little time to make his mark before the game. After an exciting start to the match, Leyton Dunlop put the visitors ahead after 14 minutes and goals from Kyle Gilroy and Stephen Bronsky saw Troon comfortable at half-time. Mark Morrison and another from Bronsky late on sparked bowling celebrations from the Troon players & secured maximum points.
(before this week’s matches)
| REFEREE: | ||
| Euan Birch | ||
| Assistant Referee 1: | Assistant Referee 2: | |
| Sean Welsh | Josh Boag |
| Referee Observer: | To be appointed |
Tickets are available at the cash turnstiles at Portland Park:
| Adult: | £10.00 |
| Concession: | £5.00 |
| Under-16: | FREE |
Season Tickets are NOT valid for this match, with it being a Cup match.
You can find out all about the match itself by visiting the match centre both before and 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 early from 12pm ahead of the 2pm kick-off, and supporters of both clubs are very welcome.
And, indeed, neutrals!
📺 Come early & enjoy the football on the big screen! 📺
| ⏰ 12.15pm | Macclesfield v Crystal Palace | (FA Cup, 3rd Round) ⚽️ |
| ⏰ 5.45pm | Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa | (FA Cup, 3rd Round) ⚽️ |
The bar close following the conclusion of the 5.45pm 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 all day on Saturday & will be open til late, selling a variety of hot food & drinks as well as cold drinks.
If you’ve never been to SCRAN before, you really need to watch Blair McNally’s YouTube video after his visit to Portland Park…and SCRAN!
⚽️ Troon F.C. Development Team versus Irvine Meadow XI ⚽️
Friday 9th January 2026
WOSFDL Conference E
Kilwinning Sports Club
Kick-off 7.45pm
Head along & support the Troon stars of tomorrow!
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Renfrew ⚽️
Saturday 17th January 2026
WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm