It’s the battle of the Seasiders this weekend, as we welcome our EOSFL counterparts Dunbar United to Portland Park for our South Challenge Cup 2nd round match..
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Dunbar United ⚽️
Saturday 14th September 2024
CarMatKings South Region Challenge Cup Round 2
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm
We’re seven league matches into the new season already, and it’s a respectable four wins and three defeats to our record so far. Given our slow start to the campaigns in the last two seasons, it represents an improvement with us sitting in 6th position in the league. Encouraging, yes, but still plenty more to do.
Troon progressed from the 1st round of the Cup thanks to a resounding 4-0 away victory at Dundonald Bluebell in August, which was an excellent start to the Cup campaigns against a very strong side.
Dunbar United have had a mixed start to the season so far; they have played seven matches so far as we have, a bright start has given way to some tough matches with them sitting in 12th position in the EOSFL Premier Division. A good club, with a strong squad, take their league position with a pinch of salt & underestimate them at your peril.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s match…
Jack Sherrie is missing from the squad, after coming off injured in our friendly against Lugar with an ankle injury. Thankfully it doesn’t seem to be a repeat of the issue which kept him out of action last season, but it is still anticipated he will be missing for a few weeks at least.
Scott McLean returned to the matchday squad against Drumchapel last Saturday in the comeback from his knee injury so he is edging closer to a starting return. But his return is being carefully managed to avoid any setbacks.
Cup weekend again, we’ve got two back to back now actually, so a fair bit of anticipation amongst the players & supporters alike.
Dunbar United are a big club in the East, they have a fabulous set-up at their park, and they’re certainly a side we need to beware of. We took the opportunity to watch them against Bonnyton a few weeks ago in the senior Scottish and they’re a very solid side, it’s another stern test for us to progress in the competition.
The Cup competitions (the Scottish Junior Cup, the West & the South Challenge) are a big part of our targets for this season. We were disappointed last season, so we need to right that this term.
Jimmy Kirkwood (Manager)
| Full Name | Dunbar United Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The Seasiders |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Ground | New Countess Park, Dunbar |
| Capacity | 1,200 |
| Club President | Pamela Munro |
| Manager | Kevin Haynes |
| Captain | Grant Thomson |
| 2023-24 | EOSFL Premier Division, 4th from 16 |
⚽️️ GRANT THOMSON ⚽️
Centre-back “Thommo” is the very definition of a club stalwart, now part of the furniture having signed in 2009 from Musselburgh Athletic and having been a regular in the last 15/16 seasons. In fact, he actually began his footballing journey with Dunbar United Colts as a 5 year old & has just made his 450th senior appearance!
The 34 year old has been Club Captain since 2021 and leads by example whether it be patrolling the back-line or popping up with vital goals.
⚽️️ LIAM GREGORY ⚽️
Another former Dunbar Colts graduate, Liam returned to the Seasiders in 2022 after a few seasons with Musselburgh Athletic.
A goal scorer & an exciting player to watch, the 24 year old is an excellent dribbler who will be a threat to our back line from out wide this weekend.
© Thanks to Dunbar United for their photos
Troon F.C.