Recreation Park
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Darvel v Troon F.C.

⚽️ Darvel versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Wednesday 27th April 2022
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Recreation Park, Darvel
Kick-off 7.30pm

Darvel may have been on a run that has seen them drop points in only two matches since the end of August, but few teams will have pushed them harder than Troon did on Wednesday night.

Darvel were expecting the usual at Recreation Park – opposition sit in & try & contain the big spenders, but Troon manager Jimmy Kirkwood sprang a surprise & the Vale were surprised by an avalanche of attack, and the tactic worked as Sam Jamieson raced clear in 8 minutes to put the visitors ahead. The shocked hosts went two down just a minute later, when Dean Fulton this time aced clear to fire past Lyle Avci. Troon were unfortunate not to extend the lead further when Jamieson went clear again, but the injury that was to force him off shortly after hampered him and he mis-controlled for Avci to gather. Another run saw Avci clip Jamieson in the box & as the visitors claimed for a spot-kick, then Cameron Eadie cleared. Completely against what was one-way traffic at this stage, Darvel pulled one back. A simple cross into the box was met by Creag Little, whose header was fumbled by Marc Fisher & it trundled into the net. Troon looked deflated at this, and with the injured Jamieson withdrawn, Darvel’s tails were up and Ross Caldwell fired home the equaliser before half-time. As the interval approached, Troon were given an opportunity as Ryan Thomson was shown a second yellow for simulation.

HALF-TIME: DARVEL 2-2 TROON F.C.

The second half began in the same fashion as the first, but unfortunately for the Seasiders Ross Caldwell hit home again to give Darvel the lead for the first time just 9 minutes into the second period. But even then, the lower placed side did not know when to stop & they pressed Avci into action on more than one occasion, one in particular a magnificent save to prevent what looked like a certain goal from Morrison, before time eluded the gallant Troon side.

Referee: Steven MacDonald
Assistant Referee One: Jamie Andrews
Assistant Referee Two: Nathan Deane

To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/darvel-270422-preview/

⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Pollok ⚽️
Saturday 30th April 2022
PDM Buildbase WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm

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Darvel v Troon F.C.

Tenacious Troon came back from behind to topple Darvel and stay on course for promotion in what looked to be a real banana skin for the Seasider’s.

Some really hard work by the Darvel committee helped ensure the game went ahead with the Recreation Park pitch looking in not too bad shape considering the hammering that Ayrshire had taken with rain during the week, only just surviving a late scare under inspection from match referee David Ingram.

In the early stages of the game it looked like the match going ahead was perhaps not such a good thing for the visitors as the home team pressed right from the start to make sure Troon knew they were in a contest right from the start. There were few chances in the first half as the teams had to adapt their game on a heavy pitch. A clever run from Mark Armour drew a smart save from Ally McInnes after a snapshot from Vernon, before a deep cross from makeshift left-back David Waite was well tipped over

the bar under pressure from Davidson. The soft pitch was now starting to cut up badly under the weight of this battle, as both of the midfield pairings slugged it out for superiority. The only other chance of note in a tight opening 45 saw a clever Dylan Pooler run tapped on by Danny McKay only to be denied by a smart David Markey stop at the near post.

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

Troon were forced into a change in the 57th minute when former Darvel defender Gavin Collins, already on a yellow card, was removed as a precaution to be replaced by midfielder Tony Murphy. However, it was the home side who were to take the lead seven minutes later when a forceful Darvel move saw the combative midfielder Sean Fitzharris give the Recreation Park side the lead. Rather than provide Darvel with a catalyst, it proved the other way as Troon were sprung into life and they proceeded to dominate the half from here on in and after the introduction of the bustling Mark Curragh for the lively Evan Maley on 68 minutes only served to enforce this, with the home rearguard struggling to contain the partnership of Danny McKay and Curragh in the latter stages as the Portland Parkers launched attack after attack. On the 72nd minute they got the equaliser their pressure had threatened, and it was Darvel lad Scott Chatham who powerfully headed home a wicked Steven McCreadie cross to restore parity. Troon made their final change in 74 minutes when Lewis Clark replaced the injured Ross Barbour, and just a minute later victory was sealed when goal provider McCreadie turned goal scorer, sending a delightful lob over keeper Markey’s head and into the far corner of the net.

A fantastic win against a very dogged team in difficult conditions. Brilliant from the team throughout, and a wonder goal to settle the match.

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