It’s yet another vital three points at stake this Saturday, but the challenge could scarcely be tougher as we welcome the Champions Darvel to Portland Park for our 22nd WOSFL Premier Division match of the season.
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Darvel ⚽️
Saturday 18th March 2023
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm
Troon come into this weekend’s game in confident mood, hot on the heels of a great run of form.
Jimmy Kirkwood’s men have put a wretched run of results behind them with five wins out of the last seven in the league, and with the supporters starting to look up the table the Manager is still cautious of getting ahead of ourselves and is targeting 4 wins out of our last 9 matches to secure our Premier Division status for next season.
Darvel have had possibly the most memorable season in their history, most notably that famous humbling of Aberdeen live on BBC at Recreation Park. After beginning their league title defence in dominant form, they have stumbled slightly following their phenomenal Cup run & have slipped behind Beith in the title charge. But with a game in hand & Beith still to play at home, there’s absolutely everything still to play for.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s match…
Darrell has been a busy man in the treatment room of late, with plenty of knocks & niggles to treat after a run of tough matches, but we look to be getting back to what resembles a full squad again. Or, as close to it as we can get at this stage of the season.
Dale Moore & Raymond Montgomerie remain absent with ankle ligament issues, and both will be missing for a few weeks still as they rehabilitate. Ewan McLevy misses out with a knee knock suffered against Rob Roy, but he is hoped to return in the next week or two.
Strong performance again on Wednesday night, particularly first half with some really attractive, flowing football, but frustrated to give some cheap goals away & not kill the game when we had the chance. Two really good opportunities to kill the game at 2-1 and then at 2-2, we need to learn to be more clinical in situations like that.
Tough challenge again for us this week, it’s a chance for us to test ourselves against the Champions & a game not many will maybe back us in. Sometimes we react better being the underdog, but it’s an opportunity to see just where we are for sure.
Jimmy Kirkwood (Manager)
| Full Name | Darvel Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The Vale |
| Founded | 1889 |
| Ground | Recreation Park, Darvel |
| Capacity | 2,200 (60 seated) |
| President | John Gall |
| Manager | Michael Kennedy |
| Captain | Daryll Meggatt |
| 2021-22 | WOSFL Premier Division Champions |
⚽️️ CRAIG TRUESDALE ⚽️
Summer signing Craig was much sought after, following another sterling season in the Kirkintilloch Rob Roy engine room & he was a stand-out in the Aberdeen Cup win.
Began his career at Airdrieonians, before a short spell with Stirling Albion, the 22 year old enjoyed two seasons with the Rabs, and has made quite an impression so far at Recreation Park.
⚽️️ ALLAN MacKENZIE ⚽️
In a squad of many star names at this level, 32 year old Allan is maybe one of the ones to go under the radar a little, but the ability & efforts of the former Alloa, Pollok & Talbot forward are vital to this Darvel side.
His strength, hard work & intelligence in leading the line are a massive threat to any defence.
Troon F.C.
| LOST | v | Cumnock | (A) | 4-2 | Wednesday 15th March | WOSFL Premier Division |
| WON | v | Petershill | (A) | 0-2 | Saturday 11th March | WOSFL Premier Division |
| WON | v | Hurlford United | (H) | 3-1 | Saturday 4th March | WOSFL Premier Division |
| WON | v | Arthurlie | (A) | 1-2 | Saturday 25th February | WOSFL Premier Division |
| WON | v | Pollok | (H) | 1-0 | Saturday 22nd February | WOSFL Premier Division |
Darvel
| WON | v | Cambuslang Rangers | (H) | 3-1 | Saturday 4th March | WOSFL Premier Division |
| LOST | v | Beith | (A) | 2-0 | Saturday 25th February | WOSFL Premier Division |
| LOST | v | Hurlford United | (H) | 2-3 | Wednesday 22nd February | WOSFL Premier Division |
| DRAW | v | Glenafton Athletic | (H) | 3-0 | Saturday 18th February | WOSFL Premier Division |
| WON | v | Irvine Meadow XI | (H) | 5-0 | Saturday 4th February | WOSFL Premier 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
Darvel took maximum points in our encounters last season, chalking up home & away wins.
In our first encounter of last season, goals from Daryll Meggatt & Jason Marr saw Darvel leave Portland Park with a 2-0 win in a tight game.
(before this week’s matches)
| Referee: | Ross Birrell |
| Assistant Referee: | Lauren Whitehead |
| Assistant Referee: | Will Gracie |
| Referee Observer: | To be appointed |
Tickets are available at the turnstiles at Portland Park:
| Adult: | £8.00 |
| Concession: | £4.00 |
| Under-16: | FREE |
Season Tickets are 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, indeed, neutrals!
📺 Come early & stay late – enjoy the football on the big screen! 📺
| ⏰ 12.30pm | Motherwell v Rangers | (Scottish Premiership) ⚽️ |
| ⏰ 5.30pm | Chelsea v Everton | (FA Premier League) ⚽️ |
The bar will close following 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 Maybole ⚽️
Friday 17th March 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!
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Largs Thistle ⚽️
Friday 24th March 2023
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 7.30pm