Treaty United's winless run continues as Athlone prevail at Markets Field

LUCKLESS Treaty United extended their winless run to nine games when suffering their fourth consecutive loss after a 1-0 defeat to Athlone Town in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at the Markets Field on Monday afternoon.

Injury-hit Treaty came into the game hoping to end their disappointing run of results while Athlone arrived in Garryowen undefeated in four having already beaten the Shannosiders in the return fixture last month.

In a first quarter devoid of chances, Marc Byrne’s effort came close after firing just over a minute.

Treaty had claims for a penalty in the 22nd minute as Alec Byrne was bundled over in the box when he rose to head the ball. However, match referee Alan Patchell waved away the appeals.

Aside from a couple of incidents, the first half was a drab affair with very little in terms of goalmouth action, resulting in the game being goalless at the interval.

The deadlock was broken just fifteen seconds after the restart as the Athlone kick-off culminated in a Dean Ebbe shot from inside the Treaty box rattling into the top corner.

Treaty almost responded immediately as Alec Byrnes's flick inside the penalty area beat Minogue in the Athlone goal, but the ball was cleared off the line by Fuentes Rodriguez.

Moments later, Aaron Connolly came within inches of doubling the visitor's lead as he drove his shot from the edge of the box
just over the crossbar.

The home side then had a couple of chances in quick succession to draw level. Thomas Considine’s low effort forced a good save from Minogue, while Alec Byrne’s header from the follow-up corner was well saved.

The Shannonsiders were then dealt a hammer blow as Evan O’Connor was shown a straight red card having been adjudged to by Patchell to be the last man back after he took down Campion-Hinds.

Depleted Treaty’s hopes of a leveller diminished after the red card. Athlone's Aaron Connolly received a second yellow in the ninety-sixth minute but it was too late to help the Treaty cause as the game ground out to another defeat.

Tommy Barrett’s men will now turn their attention to the visit of play-off chasing Wexford to the Markets Field this Friday night, 7.45pm, as the side attempts to arrest their run of form. Meanwhile, Athlone will entertain Bray.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Lee Devitt, Scott Kirkland (Fionn Doherty 60), Evan O’Connor, Ben O’Riordan, Mark Walsh, Alec Byrne, Stephen Christopher, Colin Conroy, Thomas Considine (Niko Kozlowski 80), Mark Byrne (Yoyo Mahdy 60).

Athlone Town FC: Enda Minogue, Brian Torre (Jarlath Jones 65), Fuentes Rodriguez (Jamal Ibrahim 65), Dylan Hand, Daniel McKenna, Jamar Campion-Hinds, Carl Mujaguzi (Shane Forbes 82), Amardo Oakley (Oisín Duffy 65), Ruben Ferreira, Aaron
Connolly, Dean Ebbe.

Referee: Alan Patchell