Both teams reside in the playoff spots as the first round of games come to a close
Eight games into the new year, Tommy Barrett’s Treaty United have found time to impress, excite and disappoint in a relatively short timeframe. A whopping 5-0 win away to Athlone on matchday two followed a drastic collapse against Cobh Ramblers on opening night, when they threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 in the final 10 minutes.
They will arrive to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night to face a Bray Wanderers side that sit in second place in the league, seven points behind Dundalk, who have established an early lead at the top. ‘The Seagulls’ come into the contest in fine form, with three straight wins against Cobh, UCD and most recently Athlone.
Former Shamrock Rovers man Max Murphy at right-back has netted in two of those fixtures from the penalty spot while also being a consistent figure in defence. Young forward Billy O’Neill has also played the full 90 in all three of their victories, bagging their first goal in the Cobh Ramblers game.
Meanwhile, Treaty United claimed victory in their last outing, hitting three past Kerry in Markets Field to no reply. David Tarmey, Nikodem Kozlowski and Tripimir Vrljicak the names on the scoresheet as the result pushed ‘The Shannonsiders’ to fourth for a short time, though not entirely down to their own doing.
In the topsy-turvy first division, where clubs have been rocked with fines and punishments centered around the fielding of ineligible players, both sides have managed to avoid too much off-field drama. Treaty did benefit as they moved momentarily above Wexford F.C, who had their 3-0 win away to UCD reversed due to playing Darragh Dunne.
Bray have shown defensive frailty despite decent results, with a goal difference of minus four and only scoring seven in their eight games. Treaty meanwhile are level with Cobh for the most goals in the division which could turn the tide of the contest in their favour.
For those unavailable to travel, the Wicklow-based clash will be shown on LOITV, where you can purchase a stream of the game.