After Saturday’s thrilling second half comeback to win against Clydebank, we are home again to welcome our friends from Blantyre down for the first round of this season’s South Challenge Cup.
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Blantyre Victoria ⚽️
Saturday 20th August 2022
South Challenge Cup (Round 1)
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm
Jimmy Kirkwood’s men have turned a tough-looking start into 6 points out of 9 after the thrilling comeback against Clydebank last Saturday.
Blantyre have exactly the same record so far this season as they bid to make an immediate return to the top flight after last season’s relegation. A win and a defeat against Thorniewood and Whitletts respectively, before last Saturday’s confident demolition of Bonnyton.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s match…
Jack Sherrie serves a suspension this Saturday, after his dismissal against Sauchie in last season’s South Challenge Cup.
Tommy Maitland remains on the sidelines with a knock he suffered in training, but Josh Black is fit & returns to the squad. Other than that, the squad is in rude health & competition for places is strong.
Last week was a superb three points, that’s exactly the kind of win we challenged the squad to be picking up at the start of the season. In seasons past we may have only seen a draw, or an “unlucky defeat” but I’m proud of the way the boys raised their game second half & in the end it was no more than we deserved.
Different challenge this week, but we are asking for the same from the boys as we face what will be an excellent Blantyre side. Got a lot of time for John Gibson, he always sets his teams up well & this week will be a very tough challenge. But we want good cup runs this year, so this is what we have to expect.
Jimmy Kirkwood (Manager)
⚽️️ SAM MacKENZIE ⚽️
In any team with a successful promotion challenge, you’ll have a 20 goal a season striker – is that man Sam MacKenzie for Blantyre?
The former Rob Roy & Queens Park forward has been John Gibson’s go-to man of late & he has repaid that faith with goals. Definitely the dangerman, and one for our defence to watch.
Quick over the ground, strong in the air & a threat in both boxes, he’s a key player for the Bankies.
⚽️️ SCOTT GIBSON ⚽️
The former Queens Park Captain joined Blantyre last summer from Cumbernauld Colts & was a fantastic signing for the Vics.
The no-nonsense former Airdrie & Annan centre-back made over 123 league appearances in 7+ years at Hampden before being unceremoniously released by Ray McKinnon, and is an outstanding defender.
Troon F.C.
| WIN | v | Clydebank | (H) | 3-1 | Saturday 13th August 2022 |
| WIN | v | Kilwinning Rangers | (A) | 2-3 | Saturday 6th August 2022 |
| LOST | v | Auchinleck Talbot | (H) | 1-2 | Saturday 30th July 2022 |
| WIN | v | Albion Rovers | (H) | 2-1 | Saturday 23rd July 2022 |
| WIN | v | St. Cadoc’s | (H) | 4-2 | Wednesday 20th July 2022 |
Blantyre Victoria
| WIN | v | Bonnyton Thistle | (A) | 0-2 | Saturday 13th August 2022 |
| LOST | v | Whitletts Victoria | (H) | 1-2 | Saturday 6th August 2022 |
| WIN | v | Thorniewood United | (A) | 1-3 | Saturday 30th July 2022 |
| WIN | v | Bellshill Athletic | (A) | 2-5 | Saturday 23rd July 2022 |
| DRAW | v | Cambuslang Rangers | (H) | 0-0 | Wednesday 20th July 2022 |
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
Blantyre were early visitors to Portland Park last season, running out 3-1 winners last August in an entertaining game at the seaside.
For the return match, Troon headed up to Castle Park last January and ran out comfortable 2-0 winners after Blantyre suffered an early dismissal to Dale Jones after only 17 minutes.
📆 TRADE RADIATORS SOUTH CHALLENGE CUP (SOUTH WEST ZONE) 1st ROUND FIXTURES
SATURDAY 20th AUGUST 2022 📆
(before Saturday’s matches)
Referee: Paul Timmons
Assistant Referee One: Ryan Stevenson
Assistant Referee Two: Chris Lithgow
Referee Observer: Kevin Toner
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 2pm kick-off, and supporters of both clubs are very welcome.
And if the sunny weather from the last few weeks happens to creep into this weekend, our beer garden will be open to enjoy some sunshine with a beer! 🍺😎
📺 Come early & stay late – enjoy the football on the big screen! 📺
| ⏰ 12.30pm | Hibernian v Rangers | (Scottish Premiership) ⚽️ |
| ⏰ 5.30pm | Bournemouth v Arsenal | (FA Premier League) ⚽️ |
The bar will close after the 5.30pm game is completed.
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.
The Development Team began their season in style last Friday (12th August) with a 4-1 derby win against Irvine Meadow’s young side, and are in action this Friday (19th August) away to Dalry Thistle at Merksworth Park.
⚽️ Dalry Thistle versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Friday 19th August 2022
Scottish Lowland Development Football League (West Conference F)
Merksworth Park, Dalry
Kick-off 7pm
Head along & support the Troon stars of tomorrow!
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Ardrossan Winton Rovers ⚽️
Saturday 27th August 2022
Scottish Junior Cup (Round 1)
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2.30pm