Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Nithsdale Wanderers versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 16th August 2025
FinestCarMats South Challenge Cup Round 1
Lorimer Park, Sanquhar
Kick-off 2pm

Fulton Hits Five as Seasiders Run Riot in Cup Opener.

Troon began their South Challenge Cup campaign in blistering fashion on Saturday afternoon, sweeping aside Nithsdale Wanderers with a thumping 9–0 victory at Lorimer Park. It was a day to remember for striker Dean Fulton, who helped himself to five goals—including a first-half hat-trick inside 24 minutes—while Troon’s strength in depth was again on full display.

Manager Jimmy Kirkwood had promised changes after a relentless start to the league season, and he stayed true to his word. Youngster Clayton Hood made his first competitive start for the club, while Jack Sherrie returned to the starting XI for the first time since February. The home side, meanwhile, featured some familiar names, including former Ayr United and Glenafton midfielder Darren McGill.

If there were any concerns that rotation might disrupt Troon’s momentum, they were quickly dismissed. Just nine minutes in, Luke Watt delivered a teasing cross, flicked on by Lewis Lovering into the path of Fulton, who nodded home the opener. Three minutes later, Troon doubled their advantage when Sam McCloskey threaded a precise ball through, Lovering again providing the assist as Fulton coolly slotted past the exposed keeper.

The Seasiders were relentless, and by the 24th minute Fulton had his hat-trick, punishing slack defending with a composed finish to complete his treble. The goals kept flowing as Stephen Docherty embarked on a dazzling solo run on the half hour, slaloming past the last defender before finding the bottom corner. Moments later, Callan Veitch capped an excellent first half with a rifled left-foot strike from distance.

By the break, Troon were 5–0 up, though in truth it could have been more but for the outstanding efforts of home goalkeeper Lee Graham, who pulled off a string of saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

HALF TIME: NITHSDALE WANDERERS 0-5 TROON F.C.

The second half began with a triple change, Dario Viviani, Kyle Gilroy and young Ryan Hamilton making his competitive debut replacing Lovering, Docherty and Nathan Baird. It made no difference to the flow of the game, and within six minutes Fulton had his fourth, timing his run to perfection to turn home at the back post.

Further changes on the hour gave opportunities to young Ethan McMurdo and Kieran MacDonald, yet Troon remained firmly in control. On 82 minutes, Viviani added the pick of the bunch, executing an outrageous lob from over 25 yards that left the goalkeeper stranded—a moment of pure class.

There was still time for more. Substitute Gilroy got his name on the scoresheet in the 87th minute with a sharp finish, before Fulton rounded off the rout in stoppage time, calmly slotting home his fifth of the afternoon to seal a memorable individual performance.

The final whistle brought an end to a dominant display from Kirkwood’s men, who continue their perfect start to the season across all competitions. While it was a tough afternoon for Nithsdale, their work rate never faltered, and they can take heart from the performance of Graham between the posts.

For Troon, this was as close to a perfect cup tie as they could have hoped for: goals aplenty, confidence soaring, and valuable minutes spread across the squad.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Dean Fulton. Who else?!

NEXT UP: Troon return to Portland Park next Saturday for a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash with Auchinleck Talbot, the only two sides with maximum points after five league matches—a game already being billed as the one to watch.

by Graeme McKenzie

Will be posted after the match.

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/nithsdale-160825-preview/

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Auchinleck Talbot ⚽️
Saturday 23rd August 2025
WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm