Bellsdale Park

Beith v Troon F.C.

⚽️ Beith Juniors 1-3 Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 22nd August 2026
Scottish Lowland Football League (West)
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 3pm

Troon turn it around in style to claim impressive win at Beith

Troon produced another impressive away-day performance as they came from behind to defeat Beith Juniors 3-1 at Bellsdale Park, making it four victories from their last five matches in the Lowland League West.

After a sluggish opening period, Jimmy Kirkwood’s side found their rhythm and eventually ran out comfortable winners, with Callan Veitch, Kyle Gilroy and returning defender Stephen Bronsky all finding the net. Kirkwood made just one change from the side that defeated Renfrew, with Stephen Bronsky returning to the starting XI in place of the injured Lewis Allan. Beith arrived looking to recover from a heavy 7-1 midweek defeat against Auchinleck Talbot. Former Troon defender Blair Richardson returned from suspension, while Michael Stokes came into midfield in place of Con O’Donnell.

The hosts began brightly and almost opened the scoring inside eight minutes when Lewis Taylor delivered an inviting ball into the box. Michael Stokes met it with a diving header, but the effort flashed narrowly wide of Martin McDonald’s post. Troon responded with an opportunity of their own three minutes later. Jamie Mills did well to create space before delicately finding Max Guthrie, whose curling effort drifted just past the upright. Beith’s pressure eventually told on 15 minutes. A sustained spell of attacking play resulted in Dan Finnigan rising highest to head towards goal. The ball appeared to just cross the line, with the assistant referee ideally positioned to award the goal. Troon struggled to impose themselves initially but gradually began to grow into the contest. Calum Gow was booked before Kyle Gilroy set up Nathan Baird, whose curling effort was brilliantly tipped around the post by Derren Fairns. The equaliser arrived from the resulting corner on 34 minutes. After two poor deliveries, Callan Veitch finally found his range with a pinpoint ball to the back post, where Bronsky powered home a header to make it 1-1. Bronsky almost doubled his tally just two minutes later, heading another dangerous delivery towards goal, only for assistant referee Jamie Shepherd to rule that the ball had not crossed the line. Troon continued to threaten before the interval, with Gow and Ben Armour also involved in an incident which prompted further appeals that the ball had crossed the line. Once again, Shepherd was perfectly positioned and waved play on.

HALF-TIME: BEITH JUNIORS 1-1 TROON F.C.

The Seasiders emerged from the interval with considerably more purpose and completed the turnaround on 56 minutes. Man of the Match Veitch, who covered every blade of grass in an impressive performance, picked up possession more than 20 yards from goal and unleashed a fierce left-footed effort which flew beyond Fairns. Whether he meant it is another question entirely. There was no doubt about Troon’s third, however. Ten minutes later, Gilroy produced a superb first touch to burst clear of the Beith defence before smashing an unstoppable finish high into the net. It was a magnificent individual goal and put Troon firmly in control. Baird went close to adding a fourth when his hooked effort drifted narrowly wide, while Gilroy continued to torment the Beith defence and almost created another goal for substitute Sam Jamieson, only for Fairns to block quickly. Kirkwood used his bench to see out the contest, with Ben Hughes, Jack Allan, Jamieson and Gareth Armstrong all introduced during the closing stages. Beith were unable to mount a serious comeback and Troon comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.

FULL-TIME: BEITH JUNIORS 1-3 TROON F.C.

It was another strong performance from the Seasiders, who overcame a difficult opening spell to produce three excellent goals and could arguably have won by an even greater margin. The result means Troon have now won four of their last five matches, with confidence continuing to build. Next Saturday brings another milestone as Cumbernauld Colts visit Portland Park for the first meeting between the two clubs in the Lowland League West.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Callan Veitch, as voted for in our Supporter’s WhatsApp group chat after full-time!

by Graeme McKenzie

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To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/beith-220826-preview/

 

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Cumbernauld Colts ⚽️
Saturday 29th August 2026
Scottish Lowland Football League (West)
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 3pm

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Beith v Troon F.C.

⚽️ Beith 5-0 Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 9th May 2026
WOSFL Premier Division
Bellsdale Park, Beith
Kick-off 2pm

TITLE DREAMS IN TATTERS AS BRILLIANT BEITH HIT TROON FOR FIVE

Troon’s WOSFL Premier Division title hopes suffered a devastating blow at Bellsdale Park as Beith produced a ruthless display to inflict a stunning 5-0 defeat on the league leaders in one of the shocks of the season.

With the campaign entering its penultimate weekend and the title race firmly into “squeaky bum time”, Jimmy Kirkwood’s side arrived knowing victory would keep them at the top ahead of the final week of fixtures. Instead, a disastrous afternoon in North Ayrshire saw Troon crash to defeat while rivals Cumnock and Auchinleck Talbot both picked up crucial wins elsewhere.

Kirkwood opted to keep faith with the side that lifted the West of Scotland Cup the previous weekend, naming an unchanged starting XI, with only Callan Veitch returning to the bench. Beith boss Mick Dunlop likewise stuck with the same side that defeated Largs Thistle in midweek as his men continued their own pursuit of the final promotion spot.

The opening stages offered little indication of the chaos to come for the visitors. Troon actually thought they had made the perfect start after 15 minutes when Jack Allan bundled home from a Leyton Dunlop corner, only for referee Ross Donaldson to penalise a foul on goalkeeper Charlie Cowie before the ball crossed the line.

That decision would prove a major turning point.

Six minutes later, Beith struck first in bizarre fashion. Liam McGonigle tried his luck from distance with a speculative effort that looked routine enough for Dale Burgess, but the Troon goalkeeper could only watch in horror as the ball squirmed underneath him and into the net to hand the hosts the lead.

The goal visibly rattled the Seasiders, whose usually composed and energetic play deserted them. Passes went astray, second balls were continually lost and Beith sensed vulnerability.

Troon attempted to respond, winning a free-kick in a promising position after Jack Allan was fouled, but Luke Watt’s effort sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

Moments later, Troon suffered another setback when Allan appeared to overstretch his groin and was forced off, with Sam Jamieson introduced in attack.

Before the visitors could reorganise, Beith doubled their advantage. A dangerous corner caused panic inside the Troon penalty area and, with defenders unusually hesitant to clear their lines, on-loan Stranraer midfielder Tommy Sharp reacted quickest to slam home from close range and send the home crowd into raptures.

HALF-TIME: BEITH JUNIORS 2-0 TROON F.C.

Troon emerged for the second half knowing they needed a dramatic response, and Kirkwood immediately rolled the dice by sacrificing defender Luke Watt for Callan Veitch as they went all-out attack.

The visitors dominated possession after the restart and threw bodies forward in search of a route back into the contest, but their urgency left huge spaces at the back – and Beith punished them mercilessly.

On 54 minutes, the home side delivered what felt like the killer blow. Troon were camped inside the Beith half when the hosts broke at speed, releasing Thomas Collins through on goal. Seeing Burgess advancing into no-man’s land, Collins showed tremendous composure to delicately chip the ball over the advancing keeper and into the unguarded net for 3-0.

Stunned but refusing to surrender, Kirkwood made another aggressive double substitution on the hour mark, introducing Stephen Docherty and Evan Ferguson for Dean Fulton and Kyle Gilroy as Troon effectively abandoned caution entirely.

Instead of sparking a comeback, however, the changes coincided with complete collapse.

Just two minutes later, Beith struck again. Another swift counter attack carved Troon open far too easily, and Tommy Sharp grabbed his second of the afternoon with a composed finish to make it four.

The hosts were now playing with complete freedom and confidence, while Troon looked shell-shocked. Any remaining hopes of a miraculous recovery disappeared entirely on 66 minutes when Beith left-back Ross Smith stepped onto a loose ball fully 25 yards from goal and unleashed an unstoppable strike beyond Burgess and into the top corner – a spectacular effort that summed up the gulf between the sides on the day.

Kirkwood introduced Kyle Faulds for Dario Viviani in the closing stages, but by then the damage was long done.

The final whistle was greeted with jubilation from the home support and disbelief from the travelling Troon faithful, many of whom could scarcely comprehend the scale of the collapse from a side that had looked so strong throughout much of the season.

FULL-TIME: BEITH JUNIORS 5-0 TROON F.C.

It was unquestionably one of Troon’s poorest performances of the campaign and could hardly have come at a worse time. Sluggish in possession, vulnerable defensively and lacking their usual intensity, the Seasiders were punished by a Beith side who were clinical, organised and relentless on the counter attack.

With Cumnock defeating Drumchapel United and Auchinleck Talbot winning at Pollok, Troon’s title ambitions now hang by the thinnest of threads heading into the final weekend.

The Seasiders host Arthurlie at Portland Park next Saturday knowing only a remarkable twist in the title race can now deliver the championship.

by Graeme McKenzie

Will be posted after the match.

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/beith-090526-preview/

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Arthurlie ⚽️
Saturday 16th May 2026
WOSFL Premier Division Finalé
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm

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Beith v Troon F.C.

⚽️ Beith 1-2 Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 20th September 2025
3pillars Financial Planning Scottish Communities Cup Round 2
Bellsdale Park, Beith
Kick-off 2.30pm

CUP VICTORY FOR THE SEASIDERS

Troon edged a dramatic Scottish Communities Cup second-round tie away to Beith, booking their place in the next round of this famous old competition, sponsored this season by 3 Pillars Financial Planning. It wasn’t always vintage Seasiders football, but late drama ensured Jimmy Kirkwood’s men continued their fine start to the campaign with their eighth win in ten competitive outings.

The build-up brought excitement, with Troon boss Kirkwood making two changes after last weekend’s South Challenge Cup exit to Auchinleck Talbot. Youngster Craig Watson slotted straight into the starting XI for his debut following a loan move from Kilmarnock, while Kyle Faulds returned to the heart of the midfield. There was also a welcome return for Sam Jamieson, who made the bench after injury. Beith, meanwhile, stuck with the same XI that had served them well in recent weeks, though they were boosted by the presence of Robert Thomson and player-coach Paddy Boyle among the substitutes.

The match sprang into life quickly. On just eight minutes, Stephen Docherty split the Beith defence with a perfectly timed through ball, and Kyle Gilroy showed great composure to race clear and finish smartly past the advancing goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead.

Beith struggled to create much early on, though controversy soon arrived. Max Brown was booked on 22 minutes for kicking the ball away after a foul, sparking frustration on the home bench. Manager Mick Dunlop was also cautioned shortly afterwards for protesting that a Troon player had committed the same offence without punishment.

Troon looked dangerous on the break, but it was their goalkeeper Dale Burgess who stole the show on 31 minutes. He produced a superb double save on his return to his former club – first stopping Liam McGonigle’s strike with a strong hand, then reacting brilliantly to tip Ross Smith’s follow-up effort over the bar. At the other end, Gilroy again threatened down the right and picked out ex-Beith man Lewis Lovering, whose header flashed narrowly wide.

The match then turned decisively just before half-time. Brown, already on a booking, lunged into Dario Viviani and referee Euan Birch had no hesitation in showing him a second yellow, reducing Beith to ten men. Troon went in at the break 1–0 ahead and with a numerical advantage.

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

Beith reshuffled during the interval and came out fighting. They got their reward on 59 minutes when Adam Cummins rose highest to nod home McGonigle’s cross, levelling the tie. The hosts looked energised, but Troon steadied themselves with the introduction of Jamieson and Dean Fulton, and the Seasiders began to threaten again on the counter. And Jamieson nearly made an instant impact following a nervy moment for Beith’s on-loan Clydebank keeper Connor Keaney, who misjudged a through ball from Sherrie and watched it bounce over his head, but he scrambles back to his line to make a diving save with only millimetres to spare under heavy pressure from Jamieson.

The decisive moment came in the dying minutes. Lovering picked up the ball wide, slalomed past four defenders in a superb solo run, and slipped in Jamieson. The returning striker showed a cool head, guiding the ball past Keaney in the Beith goal to spark jubilant scenes among the travelling support.

It may have been a touch of smash-and-grab in the second half, but Troon’s resilience and cutting edge carried them through.

They will now host Hall Russell United at Portland Park on Saturday 18th October in the third round. Beith, meanwhile, will rue missed chances but can take heart from an improved second-half display as their rebuilt squad continues to grow.

Troon return to league duty next weekend, welcoming Rutherglen Glencairn to Portland Park.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Dale Burgess.

by Graeme McKenzie

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To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/beith-200925-preview/

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Rutherglen Glencairn ⚽️
Saturday 27th September 2025
WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm

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Beith v Troon F.C.

⚽️ Beith versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 19th March 2022
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Bellsdale Park, Beith
Kick-off 2pm

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HALF-TIME: BEITH 0-0 TROON F.C.

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Referee: Kieran Trayner
Assistant Referee One: Daniel Taylor
Assistant Referee Two: James Hosie

Referee Observer: Dougie Smith

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/beith-190322-preview/

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Irvine Victoria ⚽️
Saturday 26th March 2022
Friendly Match
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 1.30pm

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Beith v Troon F.C.

⚽️ Beith versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 14th November 2020
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Bellsdale Park, Beith KA15 2AF
Kick-off 1.45pm

 

MATCH REPORT by Richard Henderson

Troon endured a day of very mixed emotions at Bellsdale, as they had to settle for a point after a rollercoaster second half.

The Seasiders had to shuffle their pack considerably, after Dean Keenan suffered a shoulder injury last weekend in the win over Rossvale & Mark Morrison suffered an ankle injury at training on Wednesday. With Ross Barbour & Steven McCreadie being unavailable, Scott Chatham was drafted into an unfamiliar centre-back position alongside James McGowan, with young Todd Henderson taking his position at right-back. Troon looked dangerous right from the off, and Jordan Morton was first to threaten, collecting a beautiful switched ball from Ryan Stevenson on the right flank & cutting inside before his shot was blocked and cleared. Jaime Gallagher was creating plenty in possession for the visitors and he fed Dean Fulton for the next chance, but Captain Raymond Montgomerie’s shot from distance sailed over Dale Burgess’s crossbar. Beith’s Odhran Markey looked a real danger, and he was first to threaten for the home team, cutting inside Todd and driving for goal before James McGowan clipped him before he got in the box. The Seaside stopper saw an early, 9th minute, yellow card before Connor McGlinchey’s free-kick was blocked & cleared. After some Beith pressure, Jordan Morton fired a long, cross-field pass to Josh Black, who raced clear of his marker, but his cross into the box skidded right across the 18 yard box to safety. Troon’s pressure finally told when, on the 15th minute, Stevenson found Morton, who again cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable shot which went right through keeper Burgess to give the Seasiders the lead. Troon made it a quick-fire double just two minutes later; Gallagher finding space on the left & chipping in deftly to find the onrushing Stevenson. His beautiful touch set him up perfectly, and he poked past Burgess to give the rampant Seasiders a deserved lead. Troon’s high press was bearing fruit and Gallagher was next to threaten, his long range-strike being palmed away by Burgess before Troon had the first penalty shout of the game probably correctly waved away as McGowan went down under pressure from Danny O’Neill. Ryan Stevenson was on top form & more creative work saw him feed Todd Henderson, whose long distance shot went narrowly wide. Frustration was starting to boil over on the Beith side, and Stevenson went down under a heavy challenge in front of the visitors dugout just before the interval before claiming a kick-out whilst on the floor, but the officials separated the sides. Beith’s best chance of the half came just before half-time, with another McGlinchey free-kick sailing narrowly past Lundy’s post – but it seemed the Beith man was merely finding his range.

HALF-TIME: BEITH 0-2 TROON F.C.

Both sides made a change at the interval – Ryan Nisbet replacing the injured Dean Fulton, while Beith introduced the returning Kevin Watt for Jay Shields as they sought to find their way back into the match. They were gifted an opportunity just four minutes into the half, as stopper McGowan, who had been booked in the opening stages, was shocked to see a second yellow card when all Troon-minded individuals expected a free-kick in their favour. A very disappointing decision, which was to see Troon play the remaining 41 minutes of the game with only 1 recognised defender and influence the outcome of the game somewhat. Troon shuffled their pack to organise and still created chances, Morton & Stevenson combining to send Nisbet through, but his shot crept past the post. It was the same combination a few minutes later as Stevenson sent Nisbet in on goal, but this time Burgess made a smart save at his near post. Beith forced their first chance of the second period on the hour mark as Darren Jones found space at a corner to drive the ball into the area and Lundy was sharp down to make a point-blank save from Kevin Watt to leave the former Rob Roy man with his head in his hands.

All the controversy was saved for the closing 10 minutes and, just as the resolute Troon side were looking to leave with all 3 points, the referee pointed to the spot after Jones drove into the box and tumbled under a challenge from Chatham. The stand-in centre-half looked to have won the ball, but referee McCart waved away protestations to point to the spot. To add insult to injury, Troon’s remaining defender Jack Sherrie was shown a straight red card for his part in the protests leaving Troon to ride out the last 10 minutes with 9 men and no recognised defenders! McGlinchey stepped up to strike it high, but Lundy was unfortunate not to save it, only being able to deflect it high into the net. Even still, Troon sought to push forward & Nisbet set-up Gallagher for a shot on goal straight from the restart, but his shot crept past a relieved Burgess for a goal kick. Young Jordan Lusk entered for his competitive debut with five minutes remaining, but the 9 men couldn’t hold out forever. A tired Stevenson, who had been immense for Troon, tripped Hood on the edge of the box & it was that man McGlinchey who stepped up and wrong-footed Lundy to convert the free-kick & spark wild celebrations amongst the ‘Cabes. Enough time for one last moment of controversy, as a late challenge between Stevenson & Beith Captain Paul Frize saw the latter limp from the pitch with a sore looking ankle injury.

After such an impressive opening half, it was hard not to feel deflated heading home with only one point after some debatable refereeing decisions. But that one point was enough to see us go second in the early table, and certainly gives us a great platform to progress & do something special in a very unusual season.

🛂 MATCH OFFICIALS 🛂

Referee: Michael McCart
Assistant Referee One: Andrew Bryson
Assistant Referee Two: Michael Bonner

🔎 MATCH PREVIEW 🔎

To read the match preview, follow the link: http://troonfootballclub.co.uk/beith-141120-match-preview/

🎥🎞 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 🎞🎥

Match highlights, courtesy of the club’s new official Media Partner, Memories by Movie, will appear here after the game.

📆 NEXT FIXTURE 📆

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Preston Athletic ⚽️
Saturday 21st November 2020
The Soccer Shop South Challenge Cup (Round Two)
Portland Park, Troon KA10 6QN
Kick-off 1.45pm

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