It’s yet another Cup fixture for Troon this week, and it’s a battle of the Seasiders as we welcome our old friends Girvan for our West of Scotland Cup 2nd Round match.
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Girvan ⚽️
Saturday 25th November 2023
West of Scotland Football League Cup (Round 2)
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm
Inconsistency has been the watchword for Troon this season, with good wins followed up by frustrating performances. But after a long run on the road, we returned home last weekend & the home supporters were delighted with a Cup win.
Girvan are working hard to turn their fortunes around after a difficult couple of years. “Invincibles” Manager Peter Leonard has returned to the club in an upstairs position, and his former Assistant Manager Chris Flanagan has returned as the club’s new Head Coach with former Captain Scott Dinwoodie alongside him. With a new squad in place, combining youth & experience, the plan is to climb their way back up the leagues & they will be keen to test their mettle against a Premier Division side.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s match…
Chris Millar made his second debut for the club last Saturday as a second half substitute and he is in contention for a start this weekend, while fellow returnee Mark Morrison comes into contention for a spot in the squad on his return from injury.
Jaime Gallagher missed the game against Cumnock last Wednesday night & against Thornton Hibs last Saturday with a slight hamstring strain, but it’s hoped with some treatment he’ll be available to play a part this week.
Dean Fulton (groin) & Jack Sherrie (ankle) continue their rehabilitation under Darrell’s watch. They are both expected to miss the next couple of matches, but hopefully not too much longer for two key members of the side.
Blair Richardson has moved on this week, and we wish him all the best.
Back home for the first time in over a month of away games last week, and I think it showed. The boys might have been missing a little confidence to begin with, but good to see the crowd getting them over the line in a tricky match. Thornton Hibs had nothing to lose & opened the scoring with a superb free-kick, but I was really pleased with how we played our way back into the game. Could & maybe should have been a bigger advantage, but into the hat for the next round & that’s all that matters.
We’ll need to be better this weekend though, Girvan will come here knowing all about us & will be determined to win the tie. Peter & Flanny have been here plenty of times over the years & will know what to expect, we just have to make sure we’re ready and do our jobs right.
Delighted to get Midge (Chris Millar) & Sparky (Mark Morrison) back into the squad, two very good players who will make the team better. But I think what’s more important just now is that they are two excellent characters, and they will really add something to the dressing room ahead of a run of interesting fixtures in November & December.
Jimmy Kirkwood (Manager)
| Full Name | Girvan Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The Seasiders |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Ground | Hamilton Park, Girvan |
| Capacity | 5,000 (200 seated) |
| Chairman | Danny McCulloch |
| Head Coach | Chris Flanagan |
| Captain | Calum Thomson |
| 2022-23 | WOSFL Third Division, 10th from 19 |
⚽️️ DYLAN FRASER ⚽️
The 20 year old signed for Girvan permanently in July after leaving Whitletts Victoria, where he had progressed from their Development Team.
The youngster joined Girvan on loan last season & impressed, and is a towering presence at the back, where his composure belies his youth.
⚽️️ CONNOR YAIR ⚽️
The son of former Troon midfielder Colin Yair (the original CY!), young CY joined up at Hamilton Park in the summer after spells with the Whitletts Victoria Development Team, Ardrossan Winton Rovers & Lugar Boswell Thistle.
Comfortable in midfield or defence, where his leadership qualities make him a stand-out in Chris Flanagan’s new-look Girvan side.
© Thanks to Girvan FC for their photos
Troon F.C.
| WON | LOST | LOST | LOST | WON |
| 3-2 | 4-3 | 2-1 | 2-0 | 1-2 |
| Thornton Hibs (H) | Cumnock (A) | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy (A) | Rutherglen (A) | Darvel (A) |
| Sat 18th November | Weds 15th November | Sat 11th November | Sat 4th November | Sat 28th October |
| South Challenge Cup | WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Premier | Scottish Junior Cup | WOSFL Premier |
Girvan
| LOST | WON |