Station Park

⚽️ Craigmark Burntonians versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Wednesday 16th September 2020
Pre-Season Friendly Match
Dalmellington Astro
Kick-off: 7.15pm

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS – NO ENTRY TO SPECTATORS

MATCH REPORT by Richard Henderson

Almost exactly six months to the day since our 64 year spell in Junior football ended with a last-gasp win over Ardrossan Winton Rovers, life as a senior club began for Troon on the road with a local friendly against Craigmark Burntonians.

The cobwebs were there for all to see in the early stages as both sides made a jittery start to proceedings, but it was the visitors who made the first incision into the opposite half. Ryan Stevenson fed new signing Josh Black (from Ross County) down the left flank, but his wicked ball flashed across the face of the goal with no takers. The hosts opened the scoring after just 8 minutes when ‘Mark trialist Jordan Kemoe found a gap in the Troon back line, and he poked the ball past Ross Lundy from close range. The home side were playing with a higher tempo at this stage and created another few half chances without really threatening Lundy again. Summer signing James McGowan was making an instant impact at the heart of the Troon back-line alongside Dean Keenan, and this strong base helped the visitors push forward in search for an equaliser. Black was creating chances down the left & Christian Nade came close to an equaliser not long before the interval.

HALF-TIME: CRAIGMARK BURNTONIANS 1-0 TROON F.C.

The usual raft of changes often witnessed at pre-season matches followed, and the game took 10-15 minutes to settle back down as Troon looked to control the game & level the scores. And level it they did; half-time sub Jack Paterson was causing problems down the right, with Todd Henderson in support, and his driving run produced a pin-point cross which landed on the head of the onrushing Scott Chatham on 58 minutes. Fellow sub Ryan Nisbet had been looking dangerous right from his introduction, and he was causing the home defence all kinds of problems but just couldn’t find the target with numerous attempts.

On the whole, after a long 6 months out through the Covid pandemic, a very welcome return to football!