Gritty Treaty United hit back to claim share of spoils with Wexford FC

MARC Ludden’s late penalty helped Treaty United collect their first point in four outings as the battled back for a deserved 1-1 draw against fellow play-off chasing Wexford FC at the Markets Field on Bank Holiday Monday night.

Following defeats to Galway United, Finn Harps and Waterford, Tommy Barrett’s side were hoping to bounce back against the in-form Slaneysiders. It has been a difficult few outings, with the side going nearly 360 minutes without a goal until Ludden’s effort from the penalty spot.

Short a number of players through injury, the Limerick outfit had to deploy Darren Collins at right-back with the returning Ben O’Riordan at the heart of the defence. Dean George led the line with top scorer Enda Curran watching from the stands.

The visitors, chasing a third win on the trot, opened the scoring in beautiful fashion after just 15 minutes. Midfielder Darragh Levingston collected a clearance from the home defence and volleyed powerfully beyond Shane Hallahan from 20-yards.

There was a lack of a cutting edge throughout the evening from Treaty, though it was the home side who enjoyed some good quality spells of possession in the humid conditions. Several crosses and passages of play were slightly off the mark, but eventually Ludden found a lifeline when he won a penalty on 77 minutes.

Earlier Corban Piper almost turned a Treaty corner into his own net, as the ball deflected wide off his face at the back post. But Ludden took full advantage after being tripped by Reece Webb.

A very open final 10 minutes saw both sides threaten a winner, with Willie Armshaw and Conor Barry coming closest for United, with Conor Levingston trying his luck with a free-kick in stoppage time.

United return to First Division action at the this Friday, June 9, when they host Cobh Ramblers at Markets Field, kick-off, 7.45pm. Treaty lie seventh in the First Division table, five points behind Bray who occupy the final promotion play-off spot, in fifth.

Treaty United: Shane Hallahan; Darren Collins, Ben O’Riordan, Darren Nwankwo, Marc Ludden (C); Conor Barry, Alex Byrne, Lee Devitt, Colin Conroy, Stephen Christopher; Dean George. Subs: Willie Armshaw for Collins (60 mins), Scott Kirkland for Nwankwo (83 – inj).

Wexford: Charlie Heffernan; Jordan Tallon, Hugh Douglas, Corban Piper, Ben Lynch; Darragh Levingston, Brandon McCann; Reece Webb, Kian Corbally, Karl Chambers; Aaron Dobbs (C). Subs: Conor Levingston for Tallon (69 mins), Sean Fitzpatrick for Chambers (87).

Referee: Ray Matthews (Kerry).