Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Drumchapel United versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 6th September 2025
WOSFL Premier Division
The Donald Dewar Centre, Drumchapel
Kick-off 2pm

Seasiders Bounce Back in Five-Goal Thriller

Troon returned to winning ways in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, edging out Drumchapel United 3–2 in a pulsating encounter at the Donald Dewar. After seeing their perfect league start ended by Auchinleck Talbot last weekend, Jimmy Kirkwood’s side responded with grit, guile and no shortage of quality to secure a vital three points.

Both sides came into the contest with plenty to play for. Drumchapel, buoyed by their 6–2 win over Shotts, had won both meetings between the teams last season and looked to repeat the trick. Troon, meanwhile, were determined to put the Talbot setback behind them. Manager Kirkwood was forced into two changes, with suspended skipper Calum Gow replaced by Nathan Baird, while summer signing Kyle Faulds was handed his first start in midfield. The hosts were unchanged.

It took just five minutes for the visitors to strike. Leyton Dunlop threaded a perfect ball into the path of Dario Viviani, who raced clear and calmly slotted between goalkeeper Cameron’s legs to give Troon the lead.

From there, the Seasiders hit their stride. On 21 minutes, a flowing move involving half a dozen players ended with Stephen Docherty rifling home Troon’s second. Barely two minutes later, Docherty doubled his tally, pouncing after Cameron parried Kyle Gilroy’s effort to fire in Troon’s third.

At that stage, it looked like the Seasiders might run riot. But Drumchapel have experience and spirit in abundance, and on the half-hour mark they halved the deficit. A slip at the back allowed former Swansea City forward Botti Biabi to nip in and finish from close range, sparking the home side into life and making it 3–1 at half-time.

HALF-TIME: DRUMCHAPEL UNITED 1-3 TROON F.C.

The second half was no less frantic. Drumchapel came out strongly, forcing an early corner, before Troon almost killed the game on 47 minutes. A rapid counter saw Docherty release Viviani, whose shot was saved before Gilroy dragged the rebound wide.

At the other end, Dale Burgess had to be at his best, producing a superb double save on 55 minutes to preserve Troon’s advantage. But the pressure told just after the hour mark. Referee Brent Falconer pointed to the spot when Burgess brought down Drumchapel skipper David Hopkirk, and the captain dusted himself off to dispatch the penalty, cutting the deficit to 3–2.

With the momentum swinging, Drumchapel threw on fresh legs—McTaggart, Monti and Hardie all entering the fray in quick succession. Troon, meanwhile, shuffled their pack with Faulds, Docherty and Watt all withdrawn after excellent shifts.

The closing stages were end-to-end, with Burgess again the hero on 81 minutes as he denied both McTaggart and Monti in quick succession. Moments later, Cameron matched him at the other end, twice thwarting Troon when Fulton and Viviani seemed certain to score.

In the end, Troon held on to claim a huge away win. Their blistering first-half display laid the platform, while Burgess’s heroics between the posts ensured the points were safe despite a fierce Drumchapel fightback.

A thoroughly entertaining contest, and a result that keeps Troon right in the thick of the early title race.

NEXT MATCH: A blockbuster awaits at Portland Park next Saturday as Troon host Auchinleck Talbot in the South Challenge Cup second round.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Kyle Faulds

by Graeme McKenzie

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/drumchapel-060925-preview/

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Auchinleck Talbot ⚽️
Saturday 13th September 2025
FinestCarMats South Challenge Cup Round 2
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm