The big matches just keep coming, and we’re on the road again with a supporter’s favourite – it’s a visit to the seaside and Largs for our 25th WOSFL Premier Division match of the season.
β½οΈ Largs Thistle versus Troon F.C. β½οΈ
Saturday 18th April 2026
WOSFL Premier Division
Barrfields Park, Largs
Kick-off 2pm
After an impeccable January, February was almost a disappointment by comparison but March was very much back with a bang. Five wins and a draw was a superb return and not only saw us back at the top of the table but into a WOSFL Cup Final in May as well!
Focus has re-shifted entirely to the league now for the next month and the challenges get tougher almost by each passing week, with a massive month in April. And it’s a case of “so far, so good” with wins against both Hurlford and Pollok. Not only that, our season’s target of a top 8 finish & promotion was confirmed with 6 games to go last weekend, which is magnificent news! However, there is plenty of football still to play & now is no time for complacency.
Largs may have had a slightly sticky start to the campaign, but that is certainly a distant memory now. 4th position in the league as we come into this weekend’s matches and in pretty good shape to reach a second Scottish Communities Cup Final in seven years following Sunday’s draw away to Buchanhaven Hearts. Manager Stuart “Arnie” Davidson working wonders again with a limited budget at his disposal, and with this summer’s upcoming league reconstruction, Largs are poised to go up into the new Lowland League West now that their SFA Licence has been progressed.
Hereβs everything you need to know ahead of Saturdayβs matchβ¦
Very positive to see the queue for Darrellβs treatment table decreasing over the last few weeks, which could be vital ahead of a crucial run of games for the club.
Defender Jack Barr returned to the bench last Saturday against Pollok following his injury, while midfielder Kyle Faulds returns to the squad after a two-match suspension, following his late red card against Rutherglen Glencairn. Scott McLean has joined Maybole on loan to get himself back to full fitness for next season.
Most serious injury concern just now appears to be defender Jack Sherrie, who was helped from the pitch at Kilwinning in January with a worrying looking knee injury. He visited a consultant in March to determine the extent of the damage, but the results are yet to come back.
A fixture to look forward to this weekend, we always enjoy our trips along the coast as much as Largs enjoy coming to Portland, so a supporter’s favourite for sure. On the pitch, it’s always an extremely tough challenge against any of Arnie’s teams, so we need to make sure we’re organised & prepared to match their work-rate and commitment levels. That is always key in these matches, as drop even 1% and you pay the price. We just have to match that ruthlessness; the ability is in the dressing room, we have the experience as well but we must take our chances when they present themselves.
Absolutely delighted to confirm promotion to next season’s Lowland League West last weekend with a win against Pollok. It’s been no secret that was our target for this season and to achieve that with 6 games still to play is extremely satisfying, and no surprise given how well the boys have competed this season. However, we can’t be happy to leave it that that now; we are right in the middle of a title race and we have the WOSFL Cup Final in May, so we need to let this be a starting point rather than the destination. And for how good we have been this season so far, we need to raise it another notch now.
‘Mon the Seasiders!
Jimmy Kirkwood (Manager)
| Full Name | Largs Thistle Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The Theesel |
| Founded | 1889 |
| Ground | Barrfields Park, Largs |
| Capacity | 4,500 |
| Club Chairman | Alistair McMaster |
| Manager | Stuart Davidson |
| Captain | Cory Hughes |
| 2024-25 | WOSFL Premier Division, 8th from 16 |
β½οΈοΈ WILL SEWELL β½οΈ
Arguably the number 1 marksman in the WOSFL Premier, Will is still the cutting edge to this Largs side with 118 goals in 194 appearances for the Theesel.
A product of the youth system at Largs, Willβs 41 goal season in 2021-22 led to a big-money move to Stenhousemuir before the local lad returned to Barrfields the following year. He’s scored 25 goals in 40 appearances in each of his last two seasons and has already chalked up 10 goals in 15 appearances this season so far, so his consistency is frightening for opposition defenders.
His strength, direct running & great eye for a goal makes him the clubβs dangerman, and he leads the line with distinction.
β½οΈοΈ LAURIE McMASTER β½οΈ
Left-back Laurie is in his testimonial season at Barrfields, and he is one of Arnie’s dependables in the staring XI.
The 30 year old began his career in the youth system at Rangers and St. Mirren, before embarking on a senior career with Raith Rovers. A serious knee injury halted his career at senior level, but Raith’s loss became Largs gain as he moved to Barrfields and began a path that saw him play nearly 300 matches in the gold & black.
A excellent left-back, Laurie provides balance down the left hand side with poise and a curling delivery opponents need to be aware of.
Β© Thanks to our club photographer Graeme McKenzie for his photos – fantastic, as always!
Largs Thistle
| DREW | LOST | WON | WON | LOST | |
| P-P | 1-1 | 0-1 | 0-2 | 0-3 | 1-3 |
| Beith (A) | Buchanhaven (A) | Rutherglen (H) | Drumchapel (A) | Glenafton (A) | Auchinleck (H) |
| Weds 15th April | Sun 12th April | Sat 4th April | Tues 31st March | Sat 28th March | Wed 25th March |
| WOSFL Premier | Scottish Communities Cup SF | WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Premier |
Troon F.C.
| WON | WON | WON | WON | WON |
| 1-0 | 4-1 | 1-6 | 2-1 | 1-1 (4-2 on pens) |
| Pollok (H) | Hurlford (H) | Rutherglen (A) | Shotts (H) | Irvine Meadow XI (A) |
| Sat 11th April | Weds 1st April | Sat 28th March | Wed 25th March | Sat 21st March |
| WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Premier | WOSFL Cup SF |
If you can’t make it along to the game , you can keep up to date with all the latest info via the club’s social media channels:
Live updates from the official Troon F.C. Twitter feed (nope, still not calling it X yet)
- Team news pre-match
- Goal alerts
- News flashes
- Real time alerts
Make sure you follow our NEW feed!
Match news via the official Troon F.C. Facebook page
- Team news pre-match
- Half-time score & update
- Full time results
All news on the club FIRST via the official Troon F.C. WhatsApp Supporter’s Group chat
- Vote for your Man of the Match
- Info on functions & events
- Book your seat on away buses
- Discuss the match with fellow Troon fans!
Two tight & competitive matches between the sides last season as always, but for the first time in recent years the Seasiders recorded two wins across the two WOSFL Premier Division matches.
AWAY MATCH
| Saturday 21st December 2024 | Match Centre |
| LARGS THISTLE | WON | Barrfields |
| TROON FOOTBALL CLUB | 0-1 | WOSFL Premier |
The first encounter of 2024-25 was in the midst of some wild, wintry weather which initially put the game in some doubt. Largs were keen to get the game played, with them riding high on a run of excellent form, but they maybe realised that was a mistake as Troon left with the three points.
A tousy & ill-tempered first half gave way to a slightly more entertaining second half for the die-hard supporters who braved the weather, and Kyle Gilroy’s 65th minute strike was enough to send the travelling Seasiders home with 3 points for Christmas.
HOME MATCH
| Saturday 29th March 2025 | Match Centre |
| TROON FOOTBALL CLUB | WON | Portland Park |
| LARGS THISTLE | 3-2 | WOSFL Premier |
If the first match of the season was a tight affair, the return match in March was a barnstorming effort in blustery conditions between the two sides, which kept the supporters hanging on until the very end!
Will Sewell got the Theesel off to the best start with a 3rd minute strike, before Callan Veitch restored parity for the home side. Just as it looked like Troon were getting a grip of the game, that man Sewell did what he does best and grabbed a goal out of nothing on the hour mark, but new signing Luke Watt scored an audacious effort straight from a corner with just ten minutes remaining to equalise. Everybody was aghast when Luke did the exact same with just 3 minutes left to give Troon a well deserved 3 points.
(before this weekend’s matches)
| REFEREE: | ||
| Stuart Broadfoot | ||
| Assistant Referee 1: | Assistant Referee 2: | |
| Calum Haswell | Scott McGregor |
| Referee Observer: | Not yet appointed |
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Jim is doing a head count to check viability for a supporterβs bus for this weekend. Please contact Jim on: 07711 194999 if youβd like to reserve a seat.
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π SCOTRAIL.co.uk
Tickets are available at the cash turnstiles at Barrfields:
| Adult: | Β£9 |
| Concession: | Β£6 |
| Children: | Β£6 |
| Children under 16: | Free with a paying adult |
You can find out all about the match itself by visiting the match centre both before and after the game, with the team line-ups, scorers & bookings on the specific match page for the fixture.
To visit the match centre, CLICK HERE.
β½οΈ Auchinleck Talbot versus Troon F.C. Development Team β½οΈ
Friday 17th April 2026
Robbie Meiklem Cup (Quarter-Final)
Auchinleck Leisure Centre
Kick-off 7.45pm
Head along & support the Troon stars of tomorrow!
β½οΈ Johnstone Burgh versus Troon F.C. β½οΈ
Wednesday 22nd April 2026
WOSFL Premier Division
Keanie Park, Johnstone
Kick-off 7.30pm