TREATY United suffered a heartbreaking defeat with the last kick of the game at Ferrycarrig Park as they were on the wrong end of a 2-1 score line. It looked as though Niall Connolly’s well-organised outfit had managed to secure a draw with a late goal from Gillian Keenan but an injury time winner from Aoibheann Clancy ensured that Wexford kept their title hopes alive.
Connolly began with a 5-4-1 formation at Ferrycarrig Park with Alannah Mitchell, Jesse Mendez and Shannon Parbat at the heart of the defence for the visiting outfit.
Wexford’s Lauren Dwyer had an early header which was blocked on the line and eventually cleared by the Treaty defence as Wexford probed for an opener early on. On the quarter hour mark, a poor clearance from Emma Costelloe fell to Lynn-Marie Grant at the edge of the area but the midfielder’s shot was weak and travelled wide.
Wexford drew a number of fouls from Treaty players in the opening stages and the best effort of the game arrived when Aoibheann Clancy struck the post from 25 yards out although the offside flag had been risen by the linesman.
Blessing Kingsley and Ciara Rossiter had two shots from distance which were easily gathered by Michaela Mitchell as Treaty looked to contain the league challengers.
As we approached the half-time whistle, a long diagonal ball from O’Dwyer found Rossiter but the angle was too tight for the midfielder as Mitchell closed her down and the lob went wide.
Substitute Lauren Kelly had a strike which failed to trouble Mitchell in the Treaty goal as the away side managed to stifle Wexford significantly in the second period. Wexford manager Stephen Quinn introduced both Sinead Taylor and Lauren Kelly in an attempt to break down the well organised opposition.
The ploy worked as Taylor was the scorer of the opening goal as she benefitted from a superb cross by Rossiter before tapping home past Mitchell. Treaty rarely threatened the goal of Kiev Gray but Shannon Parbet’s header travelled wide from a corner.
Connolly’s women almost grabbed an equaliser when substitute Olivia Gibson showed superb composure to flick the ball over O’Dwyer’s head and volley an effort off the upright and bounced clear much to the relief of Wexford.
Just as it looked like time was running out, Connolly’s side managed to get the equaliser their effort deserved when Aoife Horgan picked up possession and played a perfectly waited diagonal ball for the run of substitute Gillian Keenan who managed to lob the onrushing Gray and find the net to send players and management into raptures.
However, there was to be late drama and heartbreak as Aoibheann Clancy’s last minute free-kick delivery evaded everybody including goalkeeper Mitchell and found the net to earn a victory for Wexford.
Wexford Youths: Kiev Gray, Aoife Conlon, Lauren O’Dwyer, Nicola Sinnott, Lynn Craven (Sinead Taylor 59), Doireann Fahey (Lauren Kelly 65), Aoibheann Clancy, Lynn-Marie Grant, Ellen Molloy, Ciara Rossiter, Blessing Kingsley
Treaty United: Michaela Mitchell, Shannon Parbat, Alannah Mitchell, Jesse Mendez, Clodagh Doherty, Esra Kangal (Rebecca Horgan 34, Olivia Gibson 77) Jenna Slattery, Lauren Keane, Emma Costelloe, Aoife Horgan, Aoife Cronin (Gillian Keenan 60)
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