Go-ahead TROON are aiming high as they prepare to welcome Auchinleck Talbot to launch the West of Scotland League season on Saturday.
And they hope the campaign culminates in them achieving their SFA licence to enable them to enter the Scottish Cup the following season.
The Seasiders have been granted planning permission to erect floodlights at Portland Park, construct a multi-use games area and expand their car parking.
A spokesman said: “The real hard work begins now as we engage with contractors to schedule works but everyone at the club owes a huge vote of thanks to chairman Jim Kirkwood who has worked tirelessly to make this idea become a reality.”
A 2-1 win over Albion Rovers meant Troon completed their pre-season unbeaten and now look forward to Talbot in one of the games of the day.
Goals from Kyle Gilroy and Sam Jamieson put them in the driving seat before Rovers pulled back a consolation from Barry Russell.
In midweek, Troon beat St Cadoc’s 4-2 with strikes from Jamieson (2), Ewan McLevy and Raymond Montgomerie.
Talbot beat Johnstone Burgh 2-1 last Wednesday with goals from Ross Taylor and Graham Wilson. Then on Saturday, they retained the Adam Montgomerie and Barony Colliery Trophy at Penicuik with a goalless draw.
AUCHINLECK have suffered a double blow on the eve of the big kick-off with the loss of two key players.
Silky midfielder Dwayne Hyslop, who joined Talbot from Annbank United in 2012, is hanging up his boots at the age of 34.
Hyslop, nicknamed Peewee, battled recurring knee problems but famously won the William Hill Scottish Cup goal of the third round when he scored a cracker in a 1-1 draw against Arbroath in season 2019-20.
The club are also losing the services of Mark Shankland who signed from Ayr United in 2014.
Fans’ favourite Shankland, 27, has announced he is taking a break from football.
Former midfielder Steven White is stepping up to the coaching team.
CUMNOCK travel to champions DARVEL on the back of a 2-1 win away to Glenrothes, courtesy of goals by Jordan Moore and Graham Boyd. In midweek, they beat DALRY THISTLE 4-3.
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC, who hosted Ryan McChesney’s testimonial on Sunday, will be looking for a flier when they head to LARGS THISTLE.
WHITLETTS VICS open their First Division campaign against St Roch’s at Dam Park after coming through the pre-season unbeaten. Goals from Jordan Boyd (2), Gordon Pope and Jamie Henderson earned a 4-2 win over LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE who struck with a Dom Horton double.
CRAIGMARK BURNTONIANS beat league new boys EGLINTON 4-0 to warm up for their Second Division opener away to Ashfield.
MAYBOLE, who lost 4-3 to Threave Rovers in Castle Douglas, travel to Forth Wanderers after just missing out on promotion.
MUIRKIRK hot shot Darren Patton grabbed a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw away to KILBIRNIE LADESIDE to set them up for the trip to Maryhill.
GIRVAN, who beat Ashfield with a Jordan Bruce goal, begin life in the Third Division away to Finnart.
Saturday’s fixtures...
Premier Division: Hurlford v Rob Roy; Cambuslang v Beith; Largs v Glenafton; Irvine Meadow v Kilwinning; Troon v Auchinleck; Petershill v Pollok; Darvel v Cumnock; Arthurlie v Clydebank.
First Divison: Shotts v St Cadoc’s; Thorniewood v Blantyre; Whitletts v St Roch’s; Benburb v Rossvale; Bonnyton v Johnstone; Cumbernauld v Drumchapel; Kilbirnie v Neilston; Rutherglen v Gartcairn.
Second Division: Renfrew v Kilsyth Rangers; St Anthony’s v Wishaw; Yoker v Greenock; Ardeer v Glasgow University; Ashfield v Craigmark; Forth v Maybole; Glasgow Utd v Glasgow Perthshire; Maryhill v Muirkirk.
Third Division: Newmains v Dalry; Royal Albert v Lesmahagow; Ardrossan v Carluke; Saltcoats v Vale of Leven; Bellshill v Kello; Finnart v Girvan; Irvine Vics v Larkhall; Lanark v Vale of Clyde; Lugar v East Kilbride Thistle.
Fourth Division: Campbeltown v Eglinton; Easterhouse v West Park United; Glenvale v Threave; Kilsyth Athletic v Harmony Row; Rossvale Academy v BSC Glasgow; Thorn Athletic v St Peter’s.
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