Troon worship at temple of Semple
Penalty hero keeper books final spot
Gordon Burns hailed Ally Semple a big game player as Troon booked an Ardagh Cup final spot against Hurlford.
The hero keeper saved from Ross Stewart and Jamie Anderson in a penalty shoot- out to earn a 4- 2 win over Kilwinning.
Boss Burns said: “Semple was outstanding. He made two or three great saves before stopping two penalties.
“He’s a big game player for us who really turned up on the night. And we needed him at his best because the performance wasn’t good.”
Troon rode their luck in a 1- 1 draw, falling behind to a strike from Dean Agnew after a mix- up between Semple and skipper Dean Keenan. Adam Forsyth equalised just before the break but Semple saved the day late on with a top stop from Ricky Hanvey.
Into penalties and Keenan, Neil McGowan, Craig Harvey and Dale Moore scored, with Sean McKenna having the first saved by Adam Strain.
Semple’s two saves then sparked celebrations for relieved Troon.
In the other semi, Hurlford beat Maybole 5- 1 at Ladywell with Stewart Kean, Ross Robertson, Phil Dolan, Paul McKenzie and Ryan Donnelly on target.
Stevie Shankland made it 4- 1. Andy Stevenson hit the post and Roddy Paterson fired the rebound off Stevenson’s arm on the line.
‘ Bole boss Carlo Walker said: “I was pleased with how we played and attach no fault to the players.”
The final showdown will go ahead at Meadow Park, Irvine, on Sunday, October 4.