Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Troon F.C. 2-4 Kilwinning Rangers ⚽️
Saturday 26th September 2026
Scottish Lowland Football League (West)
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 3pm

Wilson hat-trick sinks Troon in thrilling Ayrshire derby

Troon were ultimately disappointed this afternoon as a Ryan Wilson hat-trick helped Kilwinning Rangers to a 4-2 victory in a pulsating Ayrshire derby at Portland Park.

Seasiders boss Jimmy Kirkwood had plenty to ponder following Wednesday night’s heavy 4-0 defeat to Cumnock, and responded with several changes to his starting line-up. Club captain Mark Morrison returned from injury for his first start, Ben Hughes came back into the heart of midfield, while new signing Scott Lewis was handed his debut as the focal point of the attack.

Kilwinning arrived in confident mood after their impressive 3-0 victory over reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot on Tuesday night. Chris Strain was serving a touchline ban, however, with Kevin McDonald taking charge and keeping faith with the same starting XI.

The opening half produced an entertaining, end-to-end contest, with both sides showing plenty of attacking intent. Yet neither could find a way through two resolute defences during the opening stages. That changed after 35 minutes when Kilwinning took the lead. A moment of hesitation in the Troon defence allowed Ryan Wilson to pounce, giving the visitors the advantage. Troon responded impressively and were level before the break. Lewis produced an excellent run down the flank before delivering a delicious ball towards the back post. Kyle Gilroy attacked the cross and stooped to head towards goal. Kilwinning goalkeeper Dylan Brown got a hand to the effort, but Assistant Referee Stephen Smith indicated that the ball had crossed the line.

HALF-TIME: TROON F.C. 1-1 KILWINNING RANGERS

The second half continued in the same thrilling vein, although Kirkwood made a change at the interval, replacing Lewis with Jack Allan. Troon almost went ahead on 55 minutes when Max Guthrie drove through the Kilwinning defence and found himself one-on-one with Brown. The forward, though, dragged his shot agonisingly wide. An enforced change followed for Troon on 62 minutes as Morrison was unable to continue, with Calum Gow taking his place.

Three minutes later, Kilwinning regained the lead in controversial fashion. Carlo Monti struck a superb free-kick which crashed off the crossbar and bounced down on the line. The referee adjudged that the ball had crossed the line, handing the visitors a 2-1 advantage. Kilwinning then extended their lead on 69 minutes. Wilson raced through on goal and although Troon goalkeeper Martin McDonald did well to make the initial stop, the Kilwinning forward reacted quickest to turn the rebound into the net and claim his second of the afternoon.

Troon refused to surrender and continued to threaten. Guthrie again did well down the flank before finding Leyton Dunlop, whose curling effort narrowly cleared the crossbar. With eight minutes remaining, Dario Viviani replaced Dean Fulton as Troon pushed for a way back into the game. Their pressure was rewarded in the 83rd minute when referee Olivia Nicolson pointed to the spot. Dunlop kept his composure from 12 yards, firing home to make it 3-2 and set up a dramatic finale.

Troon threw everyone forward in search of an equaliser, but their commitment ultimately left them exposed. With all 11 players up for a late corner, Jamie Mills lost possession and Kilwinning broke at pace. Wilson raced through to complete his hat-trick with an open-goal finish and settle a breathless derby.

FULL-TIME: TROON F.C. 2-4 KILWINNING RANGERS

Despite the defeat, it was an entertaining, end-to-end encounter which could have gone either way in the closing stages. Troon now turn their attention to a historic occasion as they make their first-ever appearance in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, travelling north to Banff and Deveronvale FC.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Club Captain Mark Morrison, as voted for in our Supporter’s WhatsApp group chat after full-time!

by Graeme McKenzie

Will be posted after the match.

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/kilwinning-260926-preview/

 

⚽️ Deveronvale versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 3rd October 2026
Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup Round 1
Princess Royal Park, Banff
Kick-off 3pm