TREATY United returned to winning ways on Friday night with a massive 2-0 victory over a previously in-form Bray Wanderers side at the Markets Field. A superb solo goal from William Armshaw opened the scoring before a Mark Byrne own-goal just three minutes later ensured the points would stay on Shannonside.
Treaty had to make a couple of adjustments to the team following the loss to Cabinteely with both Clyde O’Connell and Sean McSweeney missing the game through injury and replaced by Callum McNamara and Joel Coustrain. As a result, Ed McCarthy played in a midfield three with McNamara and captain Jack Lynch while Matt Keane and Joel Coustrain played on the right and left of a front three.
It was the visitors who made the brightest start and were enjoying the slick surface at the Markets Field. Bray are renowned for keeping possession as seen by the midweek stats and crosses from both Steven Kinsella and Ryan Graydon in the opening 20 minutes looked dangerous.
The first big opportunity arrived midway through the first half as Dylan Barnett made an overlapping run on the left before crossing in the direction of Joe Doyle who should have profited from a slip from Anthony O’Donnell and hesitancy from Marc Ludden but somehow managed to head wide from 8 yards out.
Ten minutes later, Bray’s dominance created another chance from the left as a driving run into the box by Barnett allowed the former Waterford man to scoop a weak effort into the grateful arms of Tadgh Ryan. Moments later, good interpay between Doyle, Graydon and O’Farrell resulted in the latter firing wide under pressure from O’Donnell.
Kieran Hanlon had Treaty’s only shot of the first half from a free-kick and it was clear that improvement was needed in the second half in order to get a result.
To their credit, there was a marked improvement from the home side in the second half as they did not leave their opponents settle easily. Two quick fire chances for Keane who was played through by McCarthy and the Moyross native striking the post with a shot of his own were testament of the changing tide in the game.
In saying that, it took a big save from Ryan to deny O’Farrell after 70 minutes but the away side were looking far less potent in the second period.
Hence the introduction of a tricky winger by the name of William Armshaw. The former St. Michaels man has endured a frustrating start to life at the club through injury but produced the key moment in the game after being introduced as substitute for Joel Coustrain.
Armshaw picked up possession on the edge of the area before dribbling his way Ryan Giggs-esque past two challenges and burying the ball beyond Brian Maher to send the small crowd into raptures. Bray were shell shocked and that was evident by the second goal as Matt Keane’s cross from the right was headed beyond his own goalkeeper by the experienced Mark Byrne.
It was a superb win for the home side which you didn’t see coming based on the first half of the game but that determination and resilience came to the fore once again which ensured that Treaty sit in fourth position heading into a two week break before the game with Wexford FC. Furthermore, the unbeaten record at the Markets Field with four wins and a draw is maintained.
Treaty United: Tadgh Ryan, Charlie Fleming, Sean Guerins, Anthony O’Donnell, Marc Ludden, Jack Lynch, Callum McNamara, Ed McCarthy, Joel Coustrain (William Armshaw), Matt Keane (Alan Murphy, Kieran Hanlon (Matt McKevitt)
Bray Wanderers: Brian Maher, Mark Byrne, Aaron Barry, Andrew Quinn, Dylan Barnett, Conor Clifford, Richie O’Farrell (Luka Lovic), Brandon Kavanagh, Ryan Graydon, Steven Kinsella(Gary Shaw), Joe Doyle (Darren Craven)
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