No home comforts for Treaty United in defeat to UCD at Markets Field

TREATY United’s winless streak has been extended to eight games as they suffered their second consecutive loss in a 2-0 defeat to UCD in the SSE Airtricity League First Division in front of an attendance of 764 at the Markets Field on Friday evening.

Visitors UCD arrived to the Garryowen venue unbeaten in seven games and lying second in the table while Treaty had dropped to seventh after last week’s defeat to Bray Wanderers, three points off the play-offs.

The visitors were ahead within the opening minute as a deflected whipped effort from Michael McCullagh beat Corey Chambers in the Treaty goal leaving the home side with an uphill task from the off.

The game settled after the students early goal with UCD rattling off several good efforts on goal, while Treaty struggled to create any real chances. Hugh Parker and Jake Doyle had half chances with Brennan coming close to doubling the visitors lead but his effort forced a good save from Chambers.

Treaty’s best chance came on the stroke of half-time. A blocked free kick from teenager Leon Kirrane was recycled by Mark Byrne. His whipped cross was met by Thomas Considine but his low shot was well saved by Moore. Just moments later a cross from the left found Lee Devitt in space but he drove his effort over the crossbar.

Croom youngster Kirrane almost equalised just after the restart in spectacular fashion as his attempted bicycle kick from the edge of the box went agonizingly wide of the post. He followed that up with a header straight at Kian Moore a minute later.

Kirrane and Considine began to link up well and trouble the students' defence with their neat, one-touch passing. The pair combined to create a golden opportunity for Devitt, but the midfielder scuffed his shot at goal.

Despite Treaty’s good play to get back into the game, it was all but put to bed in the 67th minute. A looping cross from the left wasn’t dealt with by the home defence and after two missed kicks, Parker rolled the loose ball calmly into the bottom corner of the net.

Treaty came closest to scoring in the 81st minute as Walsh’s header was saved on the line by Moore. His follow-up attempt amidst a goalmouth scramble cracked agonisingly off the crossbar.

The last league victory for Treaty United came in Kerry at the beginning of March.

Tommy Barrett’s men will now face the difficult task of arresting their poor run of form in Ballybofey next week where they will play Finn Harps. Meanwhile, UCD  will face Cork City in a top-of-the-table clash in Belfield.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Ben O’Riordan, Oisín O’Reilly, Lee Devitt, Thomas Considine (Sean Costelloe 73), Stephen Christopher (Fionn Doherty 73), Scott Kirkland (Colin Conroy 46), Mark Walsh, Robbie Lynch, Leon Kirrane (Adam O’Halloran 84), Mark Byrne (Alec Byrne).

UCD: Kian Moore, Alex Dunne, Adam Wells (Harry Curtis 73), Eanna Clancy, Sean Brennan, Michael McCullagh (Adam Brennan 90+1), Michael Raggett, Donal Higgins (Adam Verdon 63), Niall Holohan, Jake Doyle (Colin Bolton 73), Hugh Parker.

Referee: Michael Connolly

Attendance: 764.