⚽️ Benburb versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 13th December 2025
3pillars Financial Planning Scottish Communities Cup Round 5
New Tinto Park, Govan
Kick-off 2pm
BENBURB BLOW SEASIDERS OFF COURSE IN CUP CLASH AT NEW TINTO PARK
Troon’s Scottish Communities Cup journey came to an end in disappointing fashion at the last-16 stage as Benburb produced a spirited second-half comeback to claim a 2-1 victory in wild conditions at New Tinto Park.
This was Troon’s 20th competitive match of an already demanding season and another much-anticipated bus trip for the travelling support. Manager Jimmy Kirkwood made just one alteration to the side that had impressed so convincingly against Arthurlie a week earlier, with first-choice goalkeeper Dale Burgess restored between the posts at the expense of Marc Fisher. Kyle Faulds returned to the bench following suspension.
Benburb, meanwhile, were forced to cope without several key figures after a flu outbreak disrupted their preparations. Regular starters Declan McDonald, Ryan Kane and Alan Lithgow were among those missing, while Lewis McTaggart was cup-tied following his recent move from Drumchapel.
The opening exchanges were predictably scrappy, with wind and driving rain making fluent football difficult. Troon settled more quickly, though, and began to impose themselves territorially. Kyle Gilroy was the focal point of much of the early threat and was on the receiving end of a crunching challenge in the 22nd minute when Andy Rodden slid in late, earning a deserved yellow card and drawing furious protests from the Troon bench.
Three minutes later, Troon made their pressure count. A slick passing move cut through the Benburb midfield and Sam Jamieson applied the finishing touch, calmly firing beyond Callum Law to give the Seasiders a deserved lead.
Troon continued to look the sharper side in the first half, moving the ball well despite the conditions and limiting Benburb to fleeting counter-attacks. Nathan Baird was shown the game’s second booking on 35 minutes after being caught in possession and halting a break, but the visitors remained largely in control.
HALF-TIME: BENBURB 0-1 TROON F.C.
The weather worsened after the break, and with it came a shift in momentum. Benburb emerged with renewed energy, making an early change as Jamie Waddell replaced Scott Gallagher, and Troon suddenly found it harder to impose themselves.
Craig Watson went close to extending the lead on 49 minutes, skipping past his marker before dragging a low effort narrowly wide, but that proved to be one of Troon’s few attacking highlights in the second half.
Benburb grew in belief and began to bombard the Troon box, particularly from set-plays. Their equaliser arrived on 68 minutes when a corner was headed away by Calum Gow, but it fell kindly to substitute Charlie McColl right on the edge of the area, and he lashed an unstoppable half-volley through a crowd of bodies and into the net.
Ten minutes later, the turnaround was complete. Another corner caused problems in the blustery conditions, and Euan Clark rose highest to plant a towering header beyond Burgess, sending the home support into raptures.
Troon pushed for a response in the closing stages but struggled to regain their earlier fluency, and the supporters watched on in dismay as the quality in the final third let them down time and again. Three set-plays from Burgess & Jack Sherrie sailed straight through to the arms of a grateful Callum Law, whilst a promising attack and a dangerous ball across the face of the goal from Craig Watson found no takers right in front of the goal.
Benburb expertly wound the clock down & a flurry of late bookings for dissent and timewasting reflected the tension, but the hosts held firm through stoppage time & Troon exited the Cup with a whimper.
FULL-TIME: BENBURB 2-1 TROON F.C.
It was a tale of two halves for the Seasiders – dominant and composed before the break, but second best thereafter as the conditions and Benburb’s resilience took their toll. For the hosts, it was a superb battling display that propels them into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Communities Cup.
MAN OF THE MATCH: It’s a rollover this week…
To read the match preview, follow the link:
https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/benburb-131225-preview/
⚽️ Troon F.C. versus Johnstone Burgh ⚽️
Saturday 20th December 2025
WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm
Troon Football Club
Troon F.C. Development Team
