Penalty goal sparked a late charge as the hosts scored back to back First Division victories
Treaty United 3
Finn Harps 1
It was far from pretty, but Tommy Barrett’s Treaty United got the job done against Finn Harps at Markets Field to go second in the First Division table after Cobh Ramblers let it slip late on against UCD.
Treaty had to work hard against a gritty opposition on Friday night, but the turning point arrived in the final 18 minutes, as the hosts managed to get back in front and pull clear.
A mistake from Oisin Cooney proved costly, as he was deemed to have fouled Lee Devitt inside the area. The forward duly converted from the penalty spot, despite Cooney diving the right way.
Harps looked to equalise for a second time, but it wasn’t to be this time – as the game was put to bed in the 85th minute when Devitt went from converter to provider.
The Treaty forward passed to Richkov Boevi who got the assist, as his ball across the box fell perfectly for David Tarmey, who finished with ease.
An impressive result given the sluggish start from the hosts, as Finn Harps were much more in control from the outset.
Though Harps were creating chances, none were threatening enough to create any problems for Corey Chambers.
Instead, it was Treaty who looked a threat in patches, with Anthony Dodd fortunate not to receive a straight red card in the 25th minute as United broke away on the counter, and he was deemed to have fouled his man.
The hosts’ next big break saw Yousef Mahdy caught in an offside position a few minutes later. From there Treaty improved and began playing with a bit more control, though they couldn’t shake the influence of Tony McNamee who was a problem for much of the opening period.
It was far from flattering – but Evan O’Connor won’t care. Brilliant work from the Treaty defender saw the hosts move into the lead on the stroke of half time.
Harps looked to clear the ball in their own box, but O’Connor blocked down the attempt and managed to get the ball into the back of the net.
The hosts went in at the half ahead, but within 32 seconds of the restart Finn Harps got themselves right back in it as Darren McGuiness equalised for the visitors, with Tommy Barrett’s men caught completely unaware.
The sides remained locked in stalemate for quite some time – that was until Devitt gave Treaty the all-important lead on 73 minutes, which they ultimately weren’t going to let slip.
Treaty United: C Chambers; R Boevi, L Devitt, C Conroy, Y Mahdy, J Hanson, C Wilson, E O’Connor, M Walsh, E Martin, K O’Sullivan.
Subs: M Byrne for O’Sullivan, D Tarmey for Mahdy, T Vrljicak for Hanson (all 59), S Healy for Conroy (66), R Lawlor for Wilson (90+2).
Finn Harps: O Cooney; K Jordan, C Tourish, A Dodd, M Hutchinson, D McGuiness, T McNamee, G McAteer, M Place, J Thompson, P Ferry.
Subs: G Hodgins for Ferry (71), A McLaughlin for Thompson G Lomboto for Dodd (both 81), J Cullen for McAteer, M Johnston for Tourish (both 89).
Referee: Alan Patchell