Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Troon F.C. 6-1 Kilwinning Rangers ⚽️
Saturday 2nd August 2025
WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm

Seasiders Hit Top Gear in Stunning Display.

Troon produced a scintillating performance at Portland Park to dismantle Kilwinning Rangers 6–1 in their second home league match of the season and third fixture in a busy week. The Seasiders were simply unstoppable in front of goal, with Dario Viviani netting twice in a blistering first-half display that left The Buffs shell-shocked.

Manager Jimmy Kirkwood made two changes from Wednesday’s 3–0 win over St. Cadoc’s, with Lewis Lovering and Leyton Dunlop returning from injury to replace Dean Fulton and Jaime Gallagher. Kilwinning, meanwhile, brought in Kyle Chrystal for his competitive debut, with Jack McMahon and Bryan Boylan also recalled.

The visitors began brightly, applying early pressure without fashioning any clear chances. Troon’s defence, marshalled superbly by Stephen Bronsky and Calum Gow, stood firm before the hosts clicked into gear in devastating fashion.

The opener arrived on 21 minutes in chaotic fashion. Stephen Docherty picked up a ball from Lewis Lovering and turned his marker before unleashing a thunderous strike that cannoned off the crossbar and appeared to bounce over the line. As the Troon forward appealed frantically, the fortunately-placed Viviani reacted quickest, tapping home from close range to give his side the lead.

Eleven minutes later, Viviani struck again—this time in style. A flowing team move involving Leyton Dunlop & Stephen Docherty culminated in the forward spinning his marker before rifling a low shot beyond Glen Cameron for 2–0.

Troon smelt blood, and they came agonisingly close to a third when Bronsky’s header crashed off the bar before Gow scuffed the rebound. Moments later, Docherty finally got his reward, latching onto a pass outside the box and firing an emphatic finish into the top corner which Cameron simply couldn’t hold.

If Kilwinning were reeling, it only got worse before half-time. On 44 minutes, Dunlop latched onto a clever through ball, and rifled in Troon’s fourth from the edge of the box to cap a half of relentless attacking football.

HALF-TIME: TROON F.C. 4-0 KILWINNING RANGERS

The Buffs made two changes at the break, but Troon picked up exactly where they had left off. Barely three minutes into the second half, Gilroy’s pinpoint cross from deep found Lovering, who climbed above his marker and powered home a header for 5–0. Dunlop then grabbed his second on 55 minutes, converting from close range after fine work again by Docherty and Viviani.

Kilwinning did pull one back through Boylan’s surging run and neat finish on the hour mark, but it proved only a consolation as Troon rang the changes to protect their key men. The only flashpoint came on 63 minutes when McMahon appeared to shove Nathan Baird off the ball, but in a decision that surprised many home supporters, referee Chris McLaughlin booked both players.

The hosts continued to control proceedings, with Viviani departing to a warm ovation after his brace as Troon cruised to full-time.

This was an emphatic statement from the Seasiders: six goals, a performance full of pace and precision, and a display that could have yielded even more. For Kilwinning, this was simply a day when they ran into a side in irresistible form.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Nathan Baird

NEXT UP: Beith visit Portland Park on Saturday as the Seasiders aim to continue their perfect league start.

by Graeme McKenzie

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/kilwinning-020825-preview/

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Beith ⚽️
Saturday 9th August 2025
WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm