McBookie Super League Premier Division

TROON 3

PETERSHILL 1

by Matt Speirs

SPIRITED Troon bounced back from the previous weekend's defeat against leaders Pollok as they produced a competent performance in tricky conditions to overcome Peasy.

Victory helped the close the gap on the leaders with a game in hand over the Glasgow side.

The win was well deserved as the home side dominated much of the match and played some excellent football.

Gordon Burns' side were in command could have won even more easily had they taken some of their other chances.

The early stages belonged to Troon and they were unlucky not to go ahead in two minutes when a Chris McKnight drive was deflected on to the bar.

Three minutes later a Dean Keenan free-kick was diverted for a corner and set-piece from McKnight was also turned away by the home defence.

A minute later as McKnight cross was headed wide by Dale Moore.

It looked like a goal had to come with all the pressure Troon were enjoying and it did in 16 minutes when a McKnight free-kick was picked up by Dale Keenan who stroked the ball into the net from six yards.

As the hosts kept pressing a minute from the interval a Moore effort was pushed away for a corner/

Playing into the wind, Troon got away to the perfect start in the second half when a Martin "Midge" Ure corner was headed into the net by Colin Spence who bagged his first goal since joining the Portland Park club.

Troon were now in full control of the match but could have done with a third goal to kill the match. Petershill started to put a bit of pressure on Troon and eight minutes from time, Kieran Blair was through on goal but his effort was well saved by Ally Semple.

Right on full-time, Petershill pulled a goal back when Semple out on the touchline saw his clearance go straight to Tony Stevenson who shot into the empty goal.

Substitute Jordan Muir made the points safe two minutes into injury-time, shooting across the keeper and into the net off the far post.

TROON: Semple; Ure, Dale Keenan, Dean Keenan, Collins, Chatham, Harvey, Spence, Forsyth, McKnight, Moore. Subs: McGill, McCrae, Muir. Armstrong., Fraser.