Laing Park

⚽️ Carnoustie Panmure 1-2 Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 29th November 2025
3pillars Financial Planning Scottish Communities Cup Round 4
Laing Park, Carnoustie
Kick-off 1.30pm

GILROY STRIKES LATE AS TROON EDGE PAST PANMURE IN CUP THRILLER

Troon booked their place in the last sixteen of the Scottish Communities Cup after a gruelling afternoon at Laing Park, edging out Carnoustie Panmure 2-1 in a fiercely contested tie that never allowed either side to settle. It was the Seasiders’ 18th competitive outing of the season, and though it may not have been their most fluent display, their determination once again carried them through.

Manager Jimmy Kirkwood named an unchanged line-up from the league win over St Cadoc’s, keeping faith with the group that has pushed Troon towards the top end of the West. Carnoustie boss Dougie Cameron responded in kind, selecting a strong side full of the youthful energy that has made Panmure such an intriguing proposition this campaign.

The match burst into life within minutes. Troon thought they had a perfect early start when the ball hit the net in the fifth minute, only for the assistant’s flag to cut short the celebrations. Moments later, home midfielder Matty Riley picked up a deserved booking for a cynical trip to halt a promising break.

Carnoustie soon showed their attacking intent, with young wing prospect Bruno Dembebe tormenting Troon down the left and teeing up Ben Christie for an early effort that Burgess did well to push away. Troon then felt they had been denied a clear penalty when Sam Jamieson, sent through by Kyle Faulds, was taken out by John Dye. The referee saw it differently, and Jamieson’s afternoon ended minutes later as he limped off injured, replaced by Stephen Docherty.

Troon began to build some pressure, with Lewis Lovering and Kyle Gilroy both going close before the deserved opener arrived on the half-hour mark. From another pinpoint Dunlop corner, Stephen Bronsky rose above the pack to plant a superb header into the net.

The lead might have been doubled soon after when Gilroy struck the bar, only for Carnoustie to hit back six minutes before the break. Rio Bradford, afforded too much space on the edge of the area, produced the moment of the half with a curling finish that gave Burgess no chance.

HALF-TIME: CARNOUSTIE PANMURE 1-1 TROON F.C.

Very entertaining game here at Laing Park. Troon not looking quite at our best here, some of our best players just not firing on all cylinders today, but Panmure more than deserve their share at the break. Carnoustie are finding a lot of space in midfield and have had several chances on Troon’s goal, which will be a concern for Jimmy Kirkwood.

Panmure began the second half brightly and briefly thought they had turned the game round on the hour, only for Pat Smith to be ruled offside. Kirkwood reacted with changes of his own, and the match began to stretch as both teams chased the winner.

The decisive moment arrived in the 79th minute after a sweeping Troon move. Docherty burst through down the left and squared for Jack Allan, whose low drive was brilliantly saved by Clarkson. The rebound, however, fell to the ever-alert Gilroy, who calmly slotted in what proved to be the match-winner.

Carnoustie pressed hard in the closing stages, and Burgess was required to tip over a powerful header from Dan Smith as the hosts pushed for penalties. Bookings followed in the dying minutes as tensions rose, but Troon held firm to secure passage into the next round.

FULL-TIME: CARNOUSTIE PANMURE 1-2 TROON F.C.

Not high on quality today, but the boys dug in and saw us into the next round! Benburb will be our hosts in the last 16 on Saturday 13th December after they beat Tayport in the 4th round. Dougie Cameron will be proud of his boys, after a major rebuild in the summer and the introduction of a number of new (and young) players they are really hitting their stride now. A constant threat all day and they have every right to feel disappointed when so close to penalties.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Kyle Gilroy (as voted by the Supporter’s WhatsApp group chat)