After a gap of nearly two years, we welcome the return of Scottish Junior Cup action to Portland Park with the visit of Benburb for our 1st Round clash.
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Benburb ⚽️
Saturday 21st August 2021
Scottish Junior Cup, Round 1
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2.30pm
Our last dalliance with the famous old trophy was in a thrilling 5-4 victory over Kilsyth Rangers before we bowed out in the next round to Pollok at Newlandsfield.
Troon have enjoyed a good run of form & results in the last couple of weeks, culminating in an emphatic 4-0 victory over Glenafton Athletic in front of our home supporters.
Benburb have had a storming start to the new WOSFL season & have been sitting in the top 6 until recently, placing above Troon with a game in hand.
The winners of today’s tie have got the carrot of an away trip to Blairgowrie in the second round, to be played on Saturday 25th September 2021.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s match…
New signing Chris Murchie celebrated his debut with a clean sheet on Wednesday against Glenafton Athletic, and will be in the squad again today. Darren Miller is the only new concern with a toe issue, but other than that Jimmy Kirkwood has a full & healthy squad to choose from.
Ewan McLevy returned from injury on Saturday with no ill effects, but Mark Morrison is back on the physio bench again after just two games back.
Of our long-term absentees, Ross McCrea is working on his rehabilitation after a setback following surgery on his cruciate knee injury, all things going well we hope to welcome him back into the side at the end of the year. Todd Henderson is off his crutches next week as he recovers from surgery on his knee injury & he is targeting a November return to action.
After the long run of games we’ve had, a change is as good as a rest for the boys & they get to shift focus to the Scottish Junior Cup instead of the league.
It’s a competition we want to be doing well in, a competition we’ve maybe not always done as well in as we should have, so we’ve got a chance to put that right now. And with the squad of players we have, we’re more than good enough for anyone on our day.
Jimmy Kirkwood (Manager)
⚽️️ RYAN DOCHERTY ⚽️
A solid defender who has been no stranger to us from his time with Beith in the last few seasons, Ryan is an excellent signing for Benburb this summer.
Solid at left-back, but more often seen in the centre of the back line these days, Ryan has a wealth of experience.
⚽️ LEE DUNCANSON ⚽️
20 year old right-back Lee has an excellent pedigree after spending a number of years in the Thistle Weir Youth Academy, and he’s putting that to good use at Benburb where he has produced some eye-catching displays.
Quick & keen to get forward, Lee looks like he typifies what Manager Paul Lovering is going for at New Tinto Park.
Troon F.C.
| WIN | v | Glenafton Athletic | (H) | 4-0 | Wednesday 18th August 2021 |
| WIN | v | Bonnyton Thistle | (A) | 1-3 | Saturday 14th August 2021 |
| LOST | v | Blantyre Victoria | (H) | 1-3 | Wednesday 11th August 2021 |
| WIN | v | Kilbirnie Ladeside | (A) | 1-2 | Saturday 7th August 2021 |
| LOST | v | Cumbernauld United | (H) | 0-1 | Wednesday 4th August 2021 |
Benburb
| LOST | v | Rossvale | (H) | 0-1 | Wednesday 18th August 2021 |
| DRAW | v | Beith | (A) | 2-2 | Saturday 14th August 2021 |
| LOST | v | Rutherglen Glencairn | (H) | 0-2 | Wednesday 11th August 2021 |
| WIN | v | Glenafton Athletic | (A) | 0-3 | Saturday 7th August 2021 |
| WIN | v | Bonnyton Thistle | (H) | 3-2 | Saturday 31st July 2021 |
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
Troon and Benburb didn’t face each other during the 2020-21 season, which was eventually declared null & void due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
In our first encounter of 2019-20, Benburb recorded a 1-0 victory in August 2019 at New Tinto Park thanks to a strike from Ryan McCrone.
The return match in December was an amazing affair that ended 3-3, Troon goals coming from Jack Sherrie, John Gemmell & Raymond Montgomerie.
📆 SATURDAY 21st AUGUST 2021 – ROUND 1 📆
To see the full list of today’s 1st round fixtures, CLICK HERE.
(before this weekend’s matches)
Referee: David Ingram
Assistant Referee One: David Miller
Assistant Referee Two: Gavin Cousar
Referee Observer: Gerry Corrie
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:
Adult ticket: £7
Concession: £3
Under-16: FREE
Remember, Scottish Government Covid regulations are still being observed within the ground. Up to date guidelines should be read HERE.
A detailed match report will be posted in the match centre after the game, with the team line-ups, scorers, bookings & some match photos, 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 1pm ahead of the 2.30pm kick-off, and supporters of both clubs are very welcome.
📺 Come early & stay late – enjoy the football on the big screen! 📺
⏰ 12.30pm | Liverpool v Burnley (FA Premier League) ⚽️
⏰ 5.30pm | Brighton v Watford (FA Premier League) ⚽️
Scott will be selling tickets for our half-time 50/50 draw at the gate before kick-off, and inside the ground throughout the first half for just 50p a ticket.
Our food kiosk will be open before & during the match, selling a variety of hot snacks & drinks as well as cold drinks.
The club’s official Media Partner, Memories by Movie, unfortunately can’t attend this week, as they are filming a wedding.
In the meantime, you can watch the highlights of Wednesday’s match against Glenafton Athletic here:
Match photographs, courtesy of the club’s new official photographer JP, will be available to view on Sunday after the game!
His last album from our match against Bonnyton Thistle, is below:
⚽️ Troon Development Team versus Beith U20s ⚽️
Friday 27th August 2021
Scottish Lowland Development League (Conference F)
QMA Sports Campus, Ayr
Kick-off 8pm
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Beith ⚽️
Saturday 28th August 2021
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm