Treaty United 3-0 Sligo Rovers
It was a birthday to remember for Anna Rockett as she helped Treaty United move up to second in the league following a resounding 3-0 victory over Sligo Rovers at Market’s Field on Saturday.
Both teams came into this fixture with contrasting fortunes in the Women’s League of Ireland so far this season, Treaty United in 4th place just one point behind league leaders Athlone Town, while Rovers were in search of their first win of the campaign having suffered three defeats since their opening day stalemate against Bohemians.
Treaty were without the suspended Mara McCleary after she was sent-off during last weekend’s Munster derby victory over Cork City, with Clodagh Daly coming into the squad along with 16-year-old Kate Jones who replaced Grace McInerney in an otherwise unchanged Treaty United side.
15-year-old Madison McGuane also earned her third successive start for Treaty following her heroics in that victory last weekend. The Ireland U17 international scored her first senior goal which proved to be the decisive factor as they ran out 3-2 winners at Markets Field, and manager Sean Russell was full of praise for the Corbally native.
“Madison is a huge talent. When you watch Madison play, it is evident she has all the qualities to become a top player. Her biggest quality is her desire to constantly improve on the training pitch. She will add creativity to our team this season and is a very exciting player to watch.”
Sligo were also hit with suspension with as goalkeeper Amber Hardy missed out following her sending off in last week’s defeat away to Wexford, 20-year-old Bonnie McKiernan coming in along with 19-year-old Cara King who replaced Katie Melly in midfield.
Treaty started brightest when top scorer Bella Flocchini put Madelyn Robbins through on goal but McKiernan was quick off her line to deny them an early opener. Sligo responded quickly just 3 minutes later, a piledriver from Paula McGrory was parried over by Liisa Tuomi in goal.
After an evenly matched opening 15 minutes, Treaty began to take control of the game with McGuane and Katie Lawlee looking lively on either flank, the latter causing repeat issues for the Sligo defence as she twice cut inside from the left flank but failed to trouble McKiernan in goal. That was followed by some excellent footwork from McGuane down the right-hand side, her cross finding Lawlee unmarked only for her shot to rise high and wide of the Sligo goal.
Treaty continued to dominate and Sligo’s frustration began to creep in as McGrory was booked for a poorly timed challenge on Robbins, before another foul on Flocchini almost led to a goal as Robbins blazed over from point blank range.
Then came Treaty United’s moment. A free-kick deep in their own half was launched by Daly, the ball landing into the path of Bella Flocchini who calmly chipped the ball over the head of the onrushing McKiernan to give Treaty a deserved 1-0 lead just before the break.
Sligo manager Steve Feeney made one half-time change as Rachel McGoldrick replaced Paula McGrory up front, but it was Treaty who again started brightest as Robbins struck wide from 25 yards just one minute into the second-half.
Rovers picked up their second yellow card of the game after a clumsy challenge by Muireann Devaney on Cara Griffin, before Kate Nugent became the third Sligo name in the referee’s book after she hauled down Robbins on the edge of the box, the Treaty striker’s free-kick well blocked by the Sligo wall.
The away side had their best chance of the game on the hour mark as substitute McGoldrick’s whipped cross found Devaney in space but her volleyed effort was blazed over the bar.
Treaty pushed hard for a second and their persistence was rewarded on 71 minutes as Lawlee again found space on the left-hand side, her cross meeting the head of Griffin at the back post who sent the ball back across goal for Robbins to bundle it in past the helpless McKiernan and double the home side’s lead.
With 10 minutes remaining, Robbins almost bagged her second goal of the game after she found herself with an open goal only to smash into the side netting, before substitute Amy Tierney broke through on goal and saw her parried shot deflect into the back of the net and guarantee all three points for Treaty United.
Athlone’s win over DLR Waves keeps them top of the league with Treaty breathing down their necks just one point behind. On a day where defender Anna Rockett celebrated her 25th birthday, youth continued to be the theme of Treaty United’s season so far. With an average age of just 20 years old, the Shannonsiders have been one of the most exciting teams to watch this season and Russell again showed his faith in this young side with four teenagers named in the Treaty first XI.
Treaty United (4-2-3-1): Tuomi; Jones, Rockett, Daly, Ikeza; O’Toole (c), McGuane, Flocchini, Lawlee; Robbins.
Subs: Tierney for McGuane (53), O’Neill for Lawlee (73), O’Donovan for O’Toole (84), Breslin for Robbins (84).
Goals: Flocchini (41), Robbins (71), Tierney (84)
Sligo Rovers (5-4-1): McKiernan; Casey, Flynn, Nugent, King, Lillie; Lafferty, Hansberry (c), Devaney, McDaniel; McGrory.
Subs: McGoldrick for McGrory (45), McKenna for King (72), Burnap for Lillie (81), Melly for Devaney (81), Doherty for Nugent (81).