CHAMPIONS: Troon players and staff lift the West of Scotland League Cup at Broadwood
Jack Allan was the late hero for Troon as they lifted the Strathclyde Demolition West of Scotland League Cup after defeating 10-man Auchinleck Talbot at Broadwood Stadium on Sunday.
Jimmy Kirkwood’s side came out on top with the man advantage against their Premier Division rivals, with 18-year-old Allan’s stoppage time header proving crucial in, what turned out to be, a feisty cup final in North Lanarkshire.
The first half saw limited clear cut opportunities for either team until 23 minutes. Talbot’s Austin Syme went close with an angled effort inside the penalty area, only for his effort to clip the top of the Troon bar.
Having received an earlier booking, Kyle McAvoy was sent off for the Beechwood Park side before half time for a second bookable offence in amongst a midfield melee.
Despite being a man down, Talbot manager Tommy Sloan believed his side continued to “pose a threat” throughout the contest into the second 45.
Connor Boyd tried his luck on two occasions late on, one header hitting the crossbar on 82 minutes and a spilled ball from Troon keeper Dale Burgess being fired just wide at the death.
The Seasiders got their just rewards for their late press in the game. With Leyton Dunlop’s shot being deflected wide of the target just moments before, the captain would then turn provider for Allan floating a cross into the middle to send the Troon support into delirium.
Speaking to Now Ayrshire following the victory, boss Kirkwood said: “We’ve been waiting a long time to lift this trophy with the last time being 2005. To come here and beat a benchmark club like Talbot, dominating possession albeit with them down to 10 men, I’m so proud of them.
“In the past, we have been unable to match that physicality. There was a lot of feisty tackles in the game from both sides, and the red card is what it is.
“All it took was one thing to break for us and we get the win. If you tinker too much, you leave gaps at the back which we didn’t do and we got our rewards in the end.”
Talbot boss Sloan, speaking to club media, said: “I was pleased with effort and was comfortable with how the game was going. Obviously the sending off has a big effect on the match and we had to change shape a little bit.
“It was tough gig on that pitch (Broadwood) with the man down. I don’t want to dampen Troon’s celebration and I congratulate them, but our discipline has cost us there.”
Premier Division leaders Troon next head to Beith on league duty following this recent triumph, with rivals Auchinleck facing three games in the space of a week against Rutherglen, Cumnock, and Pollock.
Troon last reached the final of the West of Scotland Cup back in the 2013/14 season finishing runners up to Talbot, having now claimed the trophy for the first time since 2005.
