⚽️ Clydebank 3-2 Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 8th August 2026
Scottish Lowland Football League (West)
Holm Park, Yoker
Kick-off 3pm

Mulcahy breaks Troon hearts as Clydebank snatch dramatic late winner

Troon were left empty-handed after a remarkable afternoon at Holm Park, where ten-man Clydebank edged a five-goal thriller 3-2 thanks to a Ciaran Mulcahy header deep into stoppage time.

The fourth matchday of the Lowland League West season produced a contest packed with incident, controversy and no fewer than four penalties, as Troon battled valiantly after seeing Stephen Bronsky dismissed in the first half.

Jimmy Kirkwood made two changes to his Troon side, with Kyle Gilroy returning to the starting XI and summer signing Ben Armour finally making his competitive debut following injury. Ben Hughes was fit enough to take his place on the bench. For Clydebank boss Gordon Moffat, the match represented an opportunity to put last week’s 6-1 hammering by Celtic B firmly behind them. His side began brightly and could have taken the lead inside seven minutes when Jamie Mills miscued a clearance straight to Nicky Low. His effort was blocked on the line by Mills, with loud appeals for handball falling on deaf ears. Clydebank continued to threaten, with Neil McLaughlin twice denied by excellent saves from Troon goalkeeper Martin McDonald. The Troon number one was already proving decisive, diving low to his left to keep out McLaughlin’s turn-and-shot before comfortably gathering a tame effort from Keir Samson. Against the run of play, Troon were handed the chance to take the lead on 33 minutes. Dario Viviani won possession and released Gilroy, who easily powered past Jimmy Grant before finding the overlapping Mills. His cross struck Dom Docherty’s hand and referee Brent Falconer pointed to the spot. Callan Veitch made no mistake, sending Andy Leishman the wrong way to put the visitors ahead. The lead lasted just four minutes. Samson was brought down inside the Troon box and another penalty was awarded, with Bronsky shown a straight red card amid protests from the stunned Troon players. Nicky Low converted, despite McDonald guessing correctly, with the ball finding the net via the post. Troon immediately reshuffled, with Lewis Allan replacing Dean Fulton to shore up the defence. However, the ten men were unable to reach half-time level. In first-half stoppage time, Low delivered a superb ball to the back post and McLaughlin produced an excellent finish to turn the game around.

HALF-TIME: CLYDEBANK 2-1 TROON F.C.

Troon’s task became even harder after the break, but McDonald continued to produce heroics. He acrobatically tipped Low’s fierce effort onto the crossbar before denying Docherty moments later. Then came another twist; on 58 minutes, Veitch pressured Blair Rossiter inside the Clydebank box, and the former Rangers man appeared to kick out off the ball. Falconer awarded Troon their second penalty of the afternoon. Veitch once again kept his composure, firing home to level the contest at 2-2. The Bankies pushed for a winner, but McDonald was inspired. He made another superb reaction save to deny Samson before producing the moment of the afternoon on 82 minutes, stretching full length to keep out Clydebank captain Nicky Little’s penalty following a fourth spot-kick award. Troon had chances of their own late on, with Jamieson and Max Guthrie combining as they searched for a winner. There was also a strong penalty appeal when Sam Jamieson was knocked off the ball inside the box, but the referee waved play on. It looked as though Troon’s magnificent defensive effort would earn them a point. Then, in the fourth minute of added time, their resistance finally cracked. A throw-in was launched into the box and Grant’s looping cross found substitute Mulcahy, who rose to head home and send Holm Park into celebration. Troon were left devastated, having fought superbly with ten men for more than an hour.

FULL-TIME: CLYDEBANK 3-2 TROON F.C.

It was a valiant effort from the Seasiders, who gave their supporters everything, but the early dismissal made an already difficult afternoon an enormous challenge. Troon will now look to bounce back in the South Challenge Cup, with a trip to Fauldhouse United next on the agenda.

MAN OF THE MATCH: There was only man it could be after a superb performance – goalkeeper Martin McDonald scoops his second award of the season already, as voted for in our Supporter’s WhatsApp group chat after full-time!

by Graeme McKenzie

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/clydebank-080826-preview/

⚽️ Fauldhouse United versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 15th August 2026
South Challenge Cup Round 1
Park View, Fauldhouse
Kick-off 2.30pm