Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Johnstone Burgh ⚽️
Wednesday 16th September 2026
Scottish Lowland Football League (West)
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 7.45pm

Burgh’s blistering start proves decisive as Troon fall to narrow defeat

Troon’s hopes of making it three wins from their last three matches were dashed as Johnstone Burgh claimed a 2-1 victory at Portland Park, with the visitors doing enough in the first half to secure all three Lowland League West points.

Jimmy Kirkwood’s side had arrived back on home soil in good spirits after consecutive victories on the road, while excitement surrounding the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup draw had added to the positive mood around the club. Kirkwood made two changes to the side that had won convincingly at Newton Stewart, with Jamie Mills returning at left-back in place of Reece Craig and Leyton Dunlop coming into midfield for the injured Nathan Baird. Johnstone Burgh boss Stevie Farrell made three changes from the side involved in last weekend’s 4-4 draw with Cumbernauld Colts, bringing Lewis King, Leon Murphy and Max Kerr into the starting XI.

It was the visitors who made the perfect start.

Just three minutes had been played when a long ball from Mark Durnan was poorly dealt with by the Troon defence. Mills’ attempted clearance fell straight to Max Kerr, who made no mistake from 22 yards, his low left-foot effort finding the net via a deflection off Carter Frew. Troon almost responded immediately when Ben Hughes curled a 30-yard free-kick narrowly past the post, before Kyle Gilroy tested Brett Long with a high effort from distance. Burgh, however, continued to carry a threat on the break. Kris Kerr brought down a long ball brilliantly on the edge of the box in the 13th minute, but dragged his effort narrowly wide with only Martin McDonald to beat. The visitors came even closer seven minutes later when Durnan’s excellent first-time pass sent Aaron Mason through on goal. McDonald stood tall to produce an important save. Burgh doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute with a superbly constructed move. Stuart Faulds’ sharp pass released Kristopher Kerr down the left, and he drove into the box before sending a precise ball across the face of goal. Max Kerr arrived at the back post and calmly slotted home from six yards.

Troon struggled to find a response as wind and heavy rain made conditions increasingly difficult, with the visitors taking their two-goal cushion into the interval.

HALF-TIME: TROON F.C. 0-2 JOHNSTONE BURGH

The Seasiders emerged after the break with considerably more purpose.

Dunlop fired wide from distance before Hughes tested Long again in the 63rd minute, but the Burgh goalkeeper was equal to the effort. The visitors almost extended their advantage shortly afterwards when a headed flick-on released Kris Kerr behind the Troon defence. His low effort was brilliantly saved by Rohan Harkins, who had replaced the injured McDonald earlier in the half. Troon finally got themselves back into the contest on 74 minutes, and it was a spectacular goal. Max Guthrie laid the ball off to Dario Viviani 25 yards from goal, and the midfielder unleashed an unstoppable right-foot strike which flew into the top corner. The goal sparked a late push for an equaliser. Dunlop’s corner found David Syme eight yards out, but his header was comfortably saved by Long. Hughes had one final opportunity from a free-kick in the closing stages, but his effort drifted wide and Burgh were able to see out the remainder of the match.

FULL-TIME: TROON F.C. 1-2 JOHNSTONE BURGH

Despite a much-improved second-half display and Viviani’s spectacular strike giving the Seasiders hope, the damage had been done during a disappointing opening period. Troon will now look to bounce back when they return to Portland Park on Saturday, with Drumchapel United the visitors in the Scottish Communities Cup.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Dario Viviani, as voted for in our Supporter’s WhatsApp group chat after full-time.

by Graeme McKenzie

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/burgh-160926-preview/

 

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Drumchapel United ⚽️
Saturday 19th September 2026
Scottish Communities Cup Second Round
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2.30pm