Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Arthurlie ⚽️
Saturday 6th December 2025
Strathclyde Demolition West of Scotland Cup 3rd Round
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm

SEASIDERS SWEEP ASIDE ARTHURLIE TO BOOK CUP PROGRESS AT PORTLAND PARK

Troon continued their impressive cup run with a controlled and convincing 2-0 victory over Arthurlie at Portland Park, sealing their place in the fourth round of the Strathclyde Demolition West of Scotland League Cup in front of a lively home crowd.

It was Troon’s 19th competitive fixture of the campaign and another test of their growing depth. Manager Jimmy Kirkwood was forced into changes, with the suspended Kyle Faulds missing following his red card in the previous round, while goalkeeper Marc Fisher returned between the posts in place of Dale Burgess. On-loan Kilmarnock youngster Craig Watson was restored at right-back after missing the trip to Carnoustie. Arthurlie arrived in fine form, sitting fourth in the league, though they were without their influential Captain & talisman Michael MacNeil, with Sean Doherty stepping into the back line.

The visitors started brightly and almost stunned the home support inside four minutes, as Aaron Healy raced through and forced an excellent early save from Fisher. Troon responded in chaotic fashion soon after, as a loose dog invaded the pitch to provide a moment of levity before play resumed to laughter from both sets of supporters, with ‘Lie defender Doherty helping return the canine to its owner.

Troon then struck first blood in the 10th minute with a beautifully crafted goal. Watson threaded a superb forward pass, Kyle Gilroy delivered a clever cut-back, and Lewis Lovering was perfectly placed to drill a high finish beyond Marc Waters to give the Seasiders the lead.

Confidence flowed through the home side from that point. Leyton Dunlop tested Waters with a fierce effort from distance, before Troon doubled their advantage in the 27th minute. Dunlop’s corner was whipped in with real intent, and Stephen Bronsky stooped to send a header into the net to make it 2-0.

Arthurlie had their moments, with Bobby Barr creating a chance late in the half that Healy lifted over the bar, but they struggled to regain the tempo they showed in the opening stages.

HALF-TIME: TROON F.C. 2-0 ARTHURLIE

Willie Dyer reshaped his side at the break, introducing Kieran Brophy for Ross McMillan, and the changes initially brought fresh energy. Healy twice went close early in the second half, driving down the left flank and narrowly missing the target on both occasions.

However, Troon regained control and continued to look the more dangerous side. Dario Viviani was slipped through on 56 minutes, only to be denied by a sharp smothering save from Waters, before Kirkwood refreshed his side with a double substitution, bringing on Stephen Docherty and Evan Ferguson.

The game became increasingly fractious as the half wore on, with a series of bookings for dissent reflecting the growing frustration in the Arthurlie ranks towards referee Michael McCart. Troon saw the contest out with maturity, introducing further fresh legs in the closing stages, including U20s captain Clayton Hood for the excellent Viviani.

Arthurlie’s final chance arrived deep into stoppage time when they won a corner, but Ryan Sinclair blazed high and wide, perhaps summing up a frustrating afternoon for the Barrhead side.

There was still time for a touch of controversy late in time added-on, as young sub Jack Allan chased a lost cause and got entangled with Kieran Brophy as he ushered the ball out of play. Following a brief altercation, Allan was rightly shown a yellow card but Brophy controversially waved away after the referee was reminded he had already been cautioned earlier in the half.

FULL-TIME: TROON F.C. 2-0 ARTHURLIE

It was a disciplined and clinical performance from Troon, who fully deserved their passage into the next round. Arthurlie showed flashes of quality but could not recover from Troon’s early double blow.

MAN OF THE MATCH: On a day of Sponsors VSN presented Calum Gow their award, our match sponsors Troon 2010s presented Stephen Bronsky with their award while Nathan Baird was voted MOTM by our Supporter’s WhatsApp group chat.

Well done lads!

by Graeme McKenzie

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/arthurlie-061225-preview/

⚽️ Benburb versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 13th December 2025
3pillars Financial Planning Scottish Communities Cup Round 5
New Tinto Park, Govan
Kick-off 2pm