New Western Park

⚽️ Renfrew versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 10th June 2021
Pre-Season Friendly Match
New Western Park, Renfrew
Kick-off 2pm

MATCH REPORT by Richard Henderson

Troon brought their pre-season preparations to a close with a hard-fought draw away to Renfrew.

Troon’s squad had been hit by injury & the enforced absence of a few players, but a strong starting XI took to the pitch and started the match brightly. Young Dale Galloway at right-back began the match on the front foot & he combined well with Dean Fulton to bring the first real threat to the Renfrew goal, with Fulton seeing his effort drag narrowly wide of Milne’s goal. Craig Dallas, always a threat whenever Troon face Renfrew, was first to open up a miserly Troon back-line when he threaded a pass through to the onrushing Kris Benton who was thwarted by Marc Fisher being quick off his line to smother. Dom Innes was next to threaten, chasing down a short back-pass from Galloway he tried to lob the onrushing Fisher, but the Troon keeper once again was alive to the threat. Two of our summer signings, Ben Black & Sam Jamieson, combined really well on the counter to present the best chance of the half when Sam latched onto Ben’s ball, beat two defenders & fire on goal to see Milne pull off a smart stop to prevent the former Albion Rovers’ man netting his second goal in consecutive weeks. The threat didn’t wane however, as Alan Frizzell did well to get on the end of a Sam McCloskey cross to tee Ben Black up with a half-chance, but his acrobatic effort sailed over the bar. Renfrew’s lively front three of Morton, Innes & Dallas looked threatening every time the home side advanced, and Morton was next to be denied by Fisher, but Tommy Maitland & Ewan McLevy were more than up to the task when challenged. Sam & Ben teamed up again for another good opportunity, but Milne was equal to it again.

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

Sam Jamieson was clearly enjoying only his second game of football in 9 months and it was he who threatened first with a speculative effort, but the best chance of the game came to the impressive Jordan Lusk who advanced from midfield to latch on to a Frizzell knock-on, but he skewed his shot wide of the goal. Controversy reined supreme on the hour mark, when Ben Black went tumbling in the box under a challenge from sub Fraser Barbour, only for referee Cooper to award a free-kick outside the box. Cooper was in the spotlight once again five minutes later, too quick to blow for an offside on the inactive Frizzell as Lusk raced clean through on goal, and his beautiful chip finish was disallowed. Dean Fulton had the last effort of the match when McCloskey swung another pin-perfect ball in, but again Milne in the Renfrew goal was equal to the threat.

A solid defensive display again, plenty of chances created & some neat interplay from Troon here, so lot’s to be pleased with in an excellent workout against a Renfrew side that will be up threatening in their league as always. Thanks to the hosts for their hospitality, and on to next Saturday – Kilwinning away in the first league match!

🛂 MATCH OFFICIALS 🛂

Referee: Ross Cooper

🎥🎞 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 🎞🎥

📸 MATCH PHOTOGRAPHS 📸

We won’t have match photographs from our match at Renfrew for the very best of reasons – our club photographer JP will instead be bringing home his new born baby girl!

Congratulations to all the family! 👏🏻👨‍👩‍👧