McBookie Ayrshire District League

TROON FC 2

CUMBERNAULD 1

By Richard Henderson

A VITAL win for Troon saw the home side propelled back into the automatic promotion places and now look favourites for promotion to the Premier Division at the first time of asking under Jimmy Kirkwood.

With the home side looking fresh after a blank midweek, they raced out of the traps and looked to assert their dominance on Graeme Murphy's goal straight from kick-off and the visitors had their goalkeeper to thank for some smart shot-stopping as he denied Mark Curragh and Scott Miller early doors. A Steven McCreadie shot from distance was forced away as well before former Pollok defender Ross McCabe came to his goalie's rescue with a well timed block when Maley threatened. Cumbernauld's legs were starting to look heavy at this point as a result of them playing four games 10 days, but Troon's quick passing game was proving too much to cope with and the lively looking Scott Miller was felled by 'Nauld right-back Alan Benton towards the touchline on the Troon left.

With a tall and physical presence in the box, the players all jockeyed for position but Troon Captain Dean Keenan cleverly drilled in a low ball which fooled Murphy and the jostling defenders to arrow into the back of the net at the back post. There was no let-up from here an Curragh was giving the visiting defenders a torrid time with the runs from Maley and Miller wreaking havoc but it was a good move from McCreadie down the right with a pin-point cross for Evan Maley to bundle home at the back-post to double the lead. It looked like it could be a case of how many as Troon looked to put the visitors to the sword, but a lapse in concentration allowed the Lanarkshire side back into it. Troon failed to clear a Robbie Winters corner at two attempts, and his third ball in met the head of his former Pollok team-mate McCabe for him to power past McInnes.

From such an open and entertaining first half with three goals to enjoy, the second half was a much more gritty affair which the home side looked determined not to lose. The immense Dean Keenan led by example as he drove his team on time and again as they thwarted a more lively 'Nauld side, but Troon enjoyed the chances in the second half with a clever McCreadie corner-kick being smashed off the upright by Ross Barbour and a Keenan effort striking his own player before rebounding to safety. Winters was next to threaten but Ally McInnes proved he could more than match him as he pulled off a cracking save from the former Aberdeen striker and then smothered the rebound at the feet of Paddy McCabe. A Fraser Team header went wide in the closing stages, but it was a game which Troon looked dominant in and never really looked like losing out in thanks to leaders displays from Keenan, Strachan and Thorburn in particular at the back.

A fantastically gritty display from Troon, who welcome Kello Rovers to Portland Park on Wednesday in a match which could see the Seasiders go within 3 points of automatic promotion. Come along & cheer on your local team to help them over the line.

TROON: McInnes; Barbour, Thorburn, Keenan, Strachan, Chatham, McCreadie (Lamont 90), Syme, Curragh (Trialist 80) Maley

Miller (Fulton 60). Sub not used: Collins, Lamont.