Enda Curran spot on as Treaty United score precious win over Finn Harps

RESILIENT Treaty United reignited their promotion play-off hopes following an impressive 1- 0 victory over Finn Harps in the SSE Airtricity League First Division in front of an attendance of 674 at the Markets Field on Friday evening.

Eighth-placed Treaty welcomed Harps to the Markets Field on the back of a dramatic penalty shootout victory over non-league Kilbarrack United in the FAI Cup last week while fourth-placed Harps made the long journey south for their third trip to Munster in as many weeks, having endured consecutive away defeats to Cork City.

The precious win moves Tommy Barrett’s Treaty United side to within six points of the promotion play-off places as they welcome table toppers and arch-rivals Cork City to the Markets Field next Friday evening, 7.45pm

The first chance of the game fell to the home side in the 17th minute as Treaty had not one but two shots cleared off the goal-line in immediate succession as a long throw fell to Enda Curran at the back post. However, his effort was somehow kept out by the Harps defence.

Four minutes later, Treaty again had a flurry of chances that somehow stayed out. Curran got on the end of a Mark Byrne cross to force a reflex save from Timo Hiemer before following up with two rebound shots which Hiemer was equal to.

Lee Devitt then headed over as Harps scrambled to keep the ball out.

In the 25th minute, Hiemer was again called to action as Byrne and Lee Lynch linked up well to split the Harps' defence before the latter unleashed a shot that was palmed clear.

Just two minutes later, Curran had the latest Treaty chance as he deftly touched down Lynch’s inch-perfect cross before dragging his placed effort inches past the post and the well-beaten Hiemer.

Devitt was next to have a go but he dragged his freekick well wide.

On the stroke of half-time, Harps almost took the lead in their first decent chance of the game. An in-swinging corner found its way to the unmarked Matt Makinson but the defender's header flew narrowly wide.

Harps' Sean Patton forced a good save from Corey Chambers shortly after the restart when Treaty midfielder Stephen Christopher played himself into trouble presenting the Harps attacker with the opportunity. However, his effort was straight at Chambers.

The home side took a deserved lead in the 50th minute as Matt Makinson fouled Mark Byrne in the penalty area. A composed Curran stepped up and rifled the spot kick to the back of the net.

Harps tried to respond with half chances through David Cawley, Ryan Rainey, and Max Hutchinson, but all proved fruitless as the Donegal men continued to struggle to build momentum.

Patton again tried his luck in the 85th minute, but he blasted his effort from a tight angle narrowly wide and into the side netting.

Moments later, Jamie Watson went close to an equaliser with a flicked-on long throw before a late Harps free kick was blocked by the Treaty.

From the resulting flurry, Thomas Considine broke upfield for Treaty but he dragged his effort wide.

While Treaty now switch focus to a crucial Munster derby meeting with Cork, promotion play-off chasing Harps will turn their attention to the visit of Bray Wanderers to Ballybofey.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Mark Byrne, Stephen Christopher (Thomas Considine 82), Enda Curran (Yoyo Mahdy 71), Lee Devitt, Fionn Doherty, Steven Healy, Lee Lynch, Robbie Lynch, Evan O’Connor, Ben O’Riordan

Finn Harps: Timo Hiemer, David Cawley (Max Hutchinson 79), Success Edogun (Aaron McLaughlin 79), Gavin Gilmore (Ryan Rainey 60), Matthew Makinson, Gavin McAteer (Stephen Doherty 60), Tony McNamee, Luke O’Brien (Patrick Ferry 60), Sean Patton, Conor Tourish, Jamie Watson.

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

Attendance – 674.