TREATY United suffered late penalty heartbreak on Friday night as Conor Clifford dispatched an injury-time spot-kick to hand Bray Wanderers the victory at the Carlisle Grounds in the Airtricity League First Division. The result now means Bray overtake the Limerick side on goal difference and jump to third following 8 unbeaten games in the league.
Despite the home side dominating possession in the opening period, it was the visitors who created the first two chances. Former Galway man Conor Melody has returned from injury in recent weeks and was impressive in the number 9 role in his first start for Treaty. He had the first shot of the game but it sailed harmlessly over Brian Maher’s crossbar.
A superbly waited ball from Ed McCarthy sent Steven Christopher away but the angle was quite narrow and his effort went well wide. There were a couple of dangerous moments thereafter for Treaty as Joe Doyle’s weak header was easily gathered by Tadgh Ryan.
Shortly afterwards, a superb flick into Brandon Kavanagh’s path from Darren Craven, resulted in the former crossing into the box but McCarthy was alert to clear the danger. Arguably, the best chance of the half arrived when centre-back Anthony O’Donnell failed to clear a cross but Richie O’Farrell snatched at his effort in the box and Tadgh Ryan gratefully claimed.
Before the half-time whistle, both Sean McSweeney and Jack Lynch had half chances but referee Kevin O’Sullivan brought first-half proceedings to a close with no goals.
Tommy Barrett’s side certainly grew into the game even further in the second period with the likes of McSweeney and Lynch getting on the ball more frequently. Conor Melody beat the offside trap but was too hesitant and allowed Andrew Quinn to get back and make a recovering tackle.
Treaty’s best attacking move of the night should have resulted in more as substitute Joel Coustrain laid the ball off to McSweeney but the former Regional man blazed over and failed to test Maher when he would have expected to.
Brandon Kavanagh is the dangerman for Bray and the former Shamrock Rovers man fashioned a chance from very little when he dipped the shoulder, turner quickly and volleyed just over after receiving a Mark Byrne throw-in. A rare mistake from Marc Ludden allowed substitute Ryan Graydon to shoot but he sliced his effort wide. Coustrain responded with a shot of his own which was comfortably saved by Maher.
It looked as if the game was destined for a share of the spoils until a moment of panic in the Treaty defence. A relatively harmless ball was played across the edge of the Bray box and as Kavanagh attempted to take control, he was fouled by Charlie Fleming and O’Sullivan showed no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Former Limerick FC man Clifford duly sent Ryan the wrong way and the healthy attendance were sent home happy.
Treaty will now turn their attentions to a home clash with Wexford FC next Friday and still have a 10 point cushion in the play-off positions despite back to back defeats for the first time this season.
Bray Wanderers: Brian Maher, Mark Byrne, Dan Jones, Andrew Quinn, Dylan Barnett, Conor Clifford, Richie O’Farrell, Brandon Kavanagh, Callum Thompson (Ryan Graydon), Darren Craven (Gary Shaw), Joe Doyle (Sam Verdon)
Treaty United: Tadgh Ryan, Charlie Fleming, Mark Walsh, Anto O’Donnell, Marc Ludden, Jack Lynch, Ed McCarthy, Sean McSweeney, Matt Keane (William Armshaw), Steven Christopher, Conor Melody (Joel Coustrain)
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