Treaty United's promotion play-off hopes dented in Wexford defeat

TREATY United are eight points adrift of the promotion play-off places in the SSE Airtricity League First Division following a dramatic 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wexford at the Markets Field on Friday  night.

Ben O’Riordan registered Treaty’s only goal of the game before late strikes from Danny Furlong and Kian Corbally saw the visitors claim three points.

Treaty played with ten men for the majority of the second half after Lee Devitt was sent off. His absence was sorely felt by the hosts as the game progressed.

Treaty almost opened the scoring three minutes in. Stephen Christopher collected Darragh Levingston’s headed clearance, but his first-time volleyed effort went narrowly wide.

Conor Barry was playing against his former club and the Treaty midfielder nearly came back to haunt them eight minutes later.

Barry’s powerful 30-yard effort came crashing off the woodwork after he was teed up by Success Edogun.

Corey Chambers was called into action for the first time on 23 minutes. The Treaty goalkeeper was off his line but managed to save Ethan Boyle’s 30-yard volleyed effort at the second attempt.

The hosts broke the deadlock on 43 minutes as O’Riordan registered his second goal of the season.

Wexford goalkeeper Charlie Heffernan parried Marc Ludden’s long throw, the Treaty right-back pounced and tapped in from close range.

Treaty were reduced to ten men eight minutes after the restart. Lee Devitt received a second yellow card for bringing down Corban Piper inside the box.

Fortunately for the hosts, Chambers denied Ethan Boyle from the penalty spot.

Wexford restored parity on 72 minutes. The goal resulted from a corner kick, awarded when Barry headed Cian O’Malley’s long throw out of play.

Chambers initially saved Aaron Dobbs header from James Crawford’s corner kick, the rebound fell to substitute Danny Furlong who headed in from close range.

The visitors took the lead eight minutes later. Kian Corbally scoring with a first-time shot from inside the box after Chambers parried Rhys Webb’s cross.

The game petered out thereafter as James Keddy’s side held on for a narrow victory.

Treaty are now under massive pressure to make the playoffs and will hope to return to winning ways against Bray Wanderers next time out.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Ben O’Riordan, Sean Guerins, Mark Walsh Marc Ludden; Stephen Christopher (Willie Armshaw 77), Lee Devitt, Conor Barry (Dean O’Shea 77), Dean George (Darren Nwankwo 60); Success Edogun (Adam Lennon 70), Enda Curran (Colin Conroy 60)

Wexford: Charlie Heffernan; Reece Webb, Cian O'Malley, Ben Lynch, James Crawford; Ethan Boyle; Kian Corbally, Darragh Levingston (Aaron Doran 70), Corban Piper (Danny Furlong 59); Aaron Dobbs Thomas Oluwa (Mark Hanratty 70)

Referee: Alan Patchell