Treaty United maintain feint play-off hopes despite defeat to Galway United

TREATY United's bid to secure a precious promotion play-off place in the SSE Airtricity League First Division will come down to the final day of the regular season after they lost out 4-1 to champions Galway United at the Markets Field on Saturday afternoon.

Treaty United sit in sixth place in the First Division table going into next Friday's final series of games with the side placed fifth claiming the final promotion play-off position.

Tommy Barrett's Treaty side trail fifth-placed Athlone Town by two points in the table, following the Midlanders' 4-1 defeat at Finn Harps on Saturday. Seventh-placed Bray Wanderers a further point behind Treaty.

While Treaty United face a trip to the Regional Sports Centre to take on second-placed Waterford, Athlone Town will host eighth-placed Longford Town at Athlone Town Stadium.

The destination of that fine place is out of Treaty United's hands ahead of Friday as an Athlone victory would see them take the promotion spot irrespective of how Barrett's charges fare at the RSC.

Galway have had something of an Indian sign on Treaty since their formation and Saturday was the 11th time that the Limerick-based side came up short in their bid to defeat the Tribesmen.

Treaty, who went into Saturday's game on a four-game unbeaten run in the league, trailed 0-2 at half-time at the Markets Field to John Caulfield's side.

While Treaty did manage to pull a goal back through a Mark Walsh header after the restart, two quick-fire goals from Galway sealed victory for runaway First Division league winners Galway United. 

Treaty United made a late change to their starting team on Saturday as Robbie Lynch started in place of Sean Guerins who dropped out of the match day squad due to injury.

Visitors Galway got off to the best possible start when taking a fourth minute lead. David Hurley picked up possession just inside the Treaty half before striding forward. Hurley slipped a well-placed pass out left to Limerick man Edward McCarthy who cut inside a home defender before blasting the ball high into the net. 

It was former Treaty player McCarthy's eighth goal of the season and worst possible start for the home side. 

Treaty settled down after that body blow and Robbie Lynch glanced a header goalward from Marc Ludden's throw in the 17th minute, but it flew wide.

The home side felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the 24th minute when Success Edogun played in Dean George. George produced a neat turn inside the box and appeared as if he was fouled. However, the match referee waved away the appeals for a spot kick.

Champions Galway Utd increased their lead in the 38th minute when striking for their second goal of the contest. 

Aodh Dervin clipped an astute ball to the back post which Edward McCarthy flicked on for the arriving Stephen Walsh to outjump the Treaty defence and head the ball past Corey Chambers and into the net.

Galway United retained their 2-0 advantage until half-time.

Twenty minutes into the second half Treaty United got themselves right back in the contest. From a Conor Barry corner on the left, Mark Walsh produced a delightful flick header which nestled in the back of the Galway United net for 2-1.

However, Treaty were quickly two goals in arrears once more. Aodh Dervin picked up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch before threading a pass through to substitute Francely Lomboto who deftly finished in the left corner of the net in the 71st minute for 3-1.

Galway the added a fourth goal four minutes later when Evan O'Connor and Stephen Walsh combined to play Wassim Aouachria through and he finished clinically to the net to seal the victory.

TREATY UNITED: Corey Chambers; Ben O’Riordan, Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh, Marc Ludden (capt.); Lee Devitt; Adam Lennon (Willie Armshaw  66), Conor Barry (Colin Conroy 82), Stephen Christopher (Scott Kirkland 66), Dean George (Fionn Doherty 82); Success Edogun (Dean O'Shea 82). 

GALWAY UNITED: Brendan Clarke, Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Maurice Nugent, Stephen Walsh (David Tarmey 76), Rob Manley (Francely Lomboto 59), David Hurley, Aodh Dervin, Colm Horgan (Evan O'Connor 59), Edward McCarthy (Wassim Aouachria 71), Steven Healy (Vincent Borden 71). 

REFEREE: David Connolly