Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Hall Russell United ⚽️
Saturday 18th October 2025
3pillars Financial Planning Scottish Communities Cup Round 3
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2.30pm

DOCHERTY HAT-TRICK HERO AS TROON HIT HALL RUSSELL FOR SIX

Troon booked their place in the fourth round of the 3 Pillars Financial Planning Scottish Communities Cup in emphatic style on Saturday afternoon, sweeping aside a spirited Hall Russell United side 6–1 at Portland Park. It was a commanding display from Jimmy Kirkwood’s men, who bounced back from last week’s frustration at Pollok with a ruthless attacking performance led by hat-trick hero Stephen Docherty.

Kirkwood made a handful of tweaks to his starting XI, with youngster Craig Watson and Kieran MacDonald earning starts, while Callan Veitch also came in for a runout as Dario Viviani and Stephen Bronsky were rested. The visitors, managed by Craig Carroll, made the long four-hour journey south from Aberdeen with a youthful and energetic side sitting second in their division – but they were immediately on the back foot.

It took just five minutes for Troon to open the scoring. Nathan Baird did well down the right flank to thread a ball across the face of the goal which found Docherty, who rifled his shot high into the roof of the net at the back post to make it 1-0. The Seasiders doubled their lead eight minutes later, when the lively Kyle Gilroy burst clear down the right flank before squaring for Docherty, who needed two bites at the cherry – his first effort deflected off the post by a defender before he tucked away the rebound.

Troon were in irresistible form, moving the ball with pace and precision. Sam Jamieson was well denied by keeper Jake Davidson, his strong header tipped round the post for a corner. But the third did arrive on 21 minutes as Calum Gow met Leyton Dunlop’s corner with a towering header to all but kill the tie before it had truly begun. Four minutes later, it was four – MacDonald floated a delightful cross into the danger area, and Gilroy was on hand at the back post to slam home and extend the lead further.

Leyton Dunlop came close to adding a spectacular fifth on the half-hour mark, his curling effort clipping the top of the crossbar with goalkeeper Davidson beaten. Troon’s only real setback of the first half came when Callan Veitch landed awkwardly on his shoulder and was forced off for Viviani. Then, just before the interval, Hall Russell grabbed a consolation. Youngster Finlay McDonald showed tremendous composure, jinking past three defenders before slotting past Dale Burgess to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

HALF-TIME: TROON F.C. 4-1 HALL RUSSELL UNITED

Kirkwood made a double switch at the interval, giving a rare outing to goalkeeper Marc Fisher and a second debut for forward Jack Allan, who replaced Gilroy after his energetic first half. Troon controlled proceedings with maturity after the break, content to keep possession and probe patiently against a tiring Hall Russell side.

Sam Jamieson, who had worked tirelessly all afternoon, finally got his reward on 74 minutes. Craig Watson’s inviting cross was met perfectly by Jamieson, whose looping header drifted beyond Davidson to make it five.

There was still time for one final flourish. With just two minutes remaining, Docherty completed his hat-trick — his first in Troon colours — finishing smartly to cap a superb individual performance and round off a convincing team display.

FULL-TIME: TROON F.C. 6-1 HALL RUSSELL UNITED

Troon march into the last thirty-two full of confidence and momentum, their eighth win in eleven competitive matches this season. As for Hall Russell, they can hold their heads high after a gutsy showing, with Davidson in goal and McDonald in attack both standing out for the young side.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Stephen Docherty.

by Graeme McKenzie

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/pollok-111025-preview/

⚽️ Hurlford United versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 25th October 2025
WOSFL Premier Division
Blair Park, Hurlford
Kick-off 2pm