Troon Football Club

Recap

⚽️ Pollok versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 25th July 2026
Lowland League (West)
Newlandsfield Park, Shawlands
Kick-off 3pm

POLLOK MAKE WINNING START TO NEW LOWLAND LEAGUE WEST ERA, AS TROON’S DEPLETED SQUAD COMES UP SHORT

A new chapter in the history of both clubs began at Newlandsfield on Saturday afternoon, but it was Pollok who marked the occasion with victory as Stewart Maxwell’s side claimed a deserved 2-0 win over Troon in the inaugural fixture of the new Lowland League West campaign.

For both clubs, this was a landmark occasion. Having secured promotion from the West of Scotland Football League at the end of last season, Pollok and Troon were taking their first steps into Tier 5 of the Scottish football pyramid, with the sunshine providing a fitting backdrop for the dawn of a new era.

While the hosts were able to field a strong starting XI and boast plenty of quality from the bench despite one or two absentees following Wednesday night’s friendly against Easterhouse, Troon manager Jimmy Kirkwood arrived in Glasgow with his options severely limited.

Leyton Dunlop and Jack Allan were both ruled out after picking up injuries in last weekend’s WOSFL Charity Cup Final at Auchinleck Talbot, joining Ben Armour on the treatment table. The trio are all expected back sooner rather than later, but none were available for the league opener. Holidays deprived Kirkwood of Kyle Gilroy, Nathan Baird, Evan Ferguson and Clayton Hood, while long-term absentees Mark Morrison and Jack Sherrie also remained unavailable, although club captain Morrison is expected to receive the all-clear to resume training in the coming weeks. Against that backdrop, Troon always knew they would need to be at their very best.

Pollok settled quickest and immediately applied pressure from a succession of early set-pieces. After just two minutes, Lee Gallacher’s corner found Cameron Henry, but the defender could only blaze over the crossbar. Another Gallacher delivery followed moments later, although no one could apply the finishing touch before Lewis Watt’s effort from a tight angle was comfortably gathered by Martin McDonald. Troon’s first attacking opportunity arrived after five minutes from a corner of their own. The delivery wasn’t the cleanest and Stephen Bronsky could only glance a header towards goal, the effort drifting narrowly wide of the far post.

The home side continued to dominate possession and territory, winning another corner after eight minutes. Troon eventually scrambled clear, but only as far as Watt, whose fierce strike looked destined for the top corner until McDonald produced a magnificent fingertip save to push the ball over the bar. It was an outstanding stop and an early reminder of the goalkeeper’s importance to the visitors. Gallacher’s next corner, on 14 minutes, was well claimed by McDonald again, but the pressure finally told five minutes later. Olly Cameron was at the heart of much of Pollok’s best football throughout the afternoon, and his vision unlocked the Troon defence with a superb clipped pass into the right-hand channel. Lewis McCracken timed his run perfectly before producing an equally composed finish beyond the advancing McDonald to hand the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead after 19 minutes.

Troon responded positively. Just three minutes after falling behind, debutant Max Guthrie nearly announced himself in spectacular fashion. The forward unleashed a venomous strike from well outside the penalty area that forced an excellent save from Pollok goalkeeper KP McAllister, who flung himself to his right to keep the visitors at bay. The contest remained entertaining throughout the opening period, with Cameron continuing to pull the strings in midfield. The influential playmaker became referee Gary Hanvidge’s first booking of the afternoon on the half-hour mark after bringing down Callan Veitch, but he continued to cause problems whenever Pollok surged forward. Cameron almost doubled the advantage six minutes before the interval, only for Carter Frew to produce a perfectly-timed sliding challenge to deny what looked a certain shooting opportunity.

Troon then came agonisingly close to drawing level before the break. Sam Jamieson whipped an inviting delivery into the penalty area, where Ben Hughes met it from close range. His effort beat McAllister but cannoned back off the crossbar before the Pollok goalkeeper reacted sharply to smother the loose ball and preserve his side’s narrow advantage heading into half-time.

HALF-TIME: POLLOK 1-0 TROON F.C.

It had been an enjoyable opening 45 minutes, with Pollok deserving their lead but Troon showing enough to suggest they remained firmly in the contest. The visitors started the second half brightly, but were almost caught by a swift Pollok counter-attack just three minutes after the restart. Walsh raced clear and forced another fine save from McDonald, who stood tall to keep Troon within touching distance.

As the half wore on, Kirkwood’s limited attacking options became increasingly apparent. Pollok were able to freshen things up with a triple substitution after 67 minutes as Bob McHugh, Scott Boyle and Liam McGonigle all entered the action, replacing Stuart McCann, Cameron and Watt. Troon continued to battle and Guthrie remained their brightest attacking outlet. On 70 minutes, the debutant produced an excellent piece of individual skill to work himself into a dangerous position, only for Cameron Henry to produce a colossal defensive intervention to halt him at the crucial moment. Troon introduced youngster Reece Craig on the left flank shortly afterwards in an attempt to inject fresh energy into the attack, but the decisive second goal arrived before the visitors could build sustained momentum.

With 76 minutes played, a slack defensive header was seized upon by Gallacher, who wasted no time in unleashing a stunning first-time drive beyond the helpless McDonald. It was a finish worthy of putting the game beyond doubt and a richly deserved reward for another impressive display from the Pollok midfielder. The home side comfortably managed the closing stages, introducing Jack Brown in place of captain Jamie Bain before Przemyslaw Dachnowicz replaced Gallacher for the final few minutes. Troon’s frustrations were compounded when Callan Veitch, who had worked tirelessly throughout, was forced off after picking up a knock, with Lewis Allan coming on in his place. Dean Fulton was cautioned late on for a trip before Bronsky was perhaps a little unfortunate to join him in the referee’s notebook after a narrowly mistimed challenge on McCracken near the touchline.

There was to be no late comeback, and the final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory for Pollok, who began life in the Lowland League West with three deserved points.

FULL-TIME: POLLOK 2-0 TROON F.C.

For Troon, it was ultimately a disappointing afternoon, although the context cannot be ignored. With a lengthy injury list, several players away on holiday and few options available from the bench, Kirkwood’s side remained competitive for long spells before the hosts’ greater depth told in the second half.

There were nevertheless positives to take, with McDonald producing several outstanding saves to keep his side in the contest, Guthrie showing plenty of promise on his debut and Troon creating enough opportunities to suggest they will trouble plenty of teams once key personnel return.

However, the Seasiders know an immediate improvement will be required as attention quickly turns to Wednesday night’s trip to Johnstone Burgh, where they will look to register their first points of the new campaign. The season may be only one game old, but in a competitive new division, there will be little time to dwell on opening-day disappointment.

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To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/pollok-250726-preview/

⚽️ Johnstone Burgh versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Wednesday 29th July 2026
Lowland League (West)
Keanie Park, Johnstone
Kick-off 7.45pm