Treaty United suffer last gasp home defeat to Athlone Town in First Division

DEAN Ebbe’s last-gasp strike saw Treaty United fall to a 2-1 defeat to Athlone Town in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at the Markets Field on Friday night.

Home side Treaty, now without a win in their last five fixtures, were the better outfit for long spells. Oisin O’Reilly’s first-half strike saw Tommy Barret’s men hold the upper hand for an extended period.

However, Kyle Robinson cancelled it out 13 minutes from time for the promotion play-off chasing visitors before Ebbe snatched victory in dramatic fashion.

Treaty United manager Tommy Barrett made six changes from the side which exited the Sports Direct FAI Cup at the quarter-final stage at the hands of Wexford FC a week earlier, including a first start for Richkov Boevi.

Niko Kozlowski, Adam O'Halloran, Leon Kirrane and Sean Costelloe all came into the matchday squad for the meeting with Athlone, while Ben O'Riordan, Enda Curran, Fionn Doherty, Mark Walsh and Stephen Christopher missed out.

The hosts were 12 points adrift of the Midlanders before kick-off in Garryowen on Friday night, but people would’ve been forgiven for thinking it was the other way around given how proceedings unfolded.

Athlone engineered their first opening on 13 minutes. Dylan Hand connected with Leo Gaxha’s corner kick but his header trickled wide.

Treaty threatened to score five minutes later. Lee J Lynch found a pocket of space and unleashed a powerful 20-yard shot which was repelled by Athlone goalkeeper Enda Minogue.

Just after the half-hour mark, Athlone failed to clear Christopher Horgan’s throw. Lee Devitt deftly controlled the loose ball, but saw his bicycle kick miss the target.

Sloppy defending paved the way for the opener on 39 minutes as Oisin O’Reilly bagged his first league goal of the season for Tommy Barrett's side.

The wing-back found a pocket of space and collected a poor clearance from German Fuentes Rodriguez before firing low to the bottom corner of the net.

Treaty were dealt a big blow just four minutes into the second half as goalkeeper Corey Chambers was sent off although replays would indicate that the decision was somewhat harsh.

The netminder was adjudged to have denied Dean Ebbe a clear goalscoring opportunity after vacating his goal and collecting Amardo Akeem Oakley’s long ball.

The visitors pulled one back on 78 minutes. Dario Castelo’s side were awarded a corner kick when Gaxha’s cross was deflected out of play by Oisin O’Reilly.

Treaty failed to clear Brian Torre’s delivery and substitute Kyle Robinson pounced from close range for the Midlanders.

Impressive goalkeeping prevented the visitors from taking the lead two minutes from time. Highly-rated teenager Dike produced a fine save to keep out Agbo Babatunde’s powerful curling shot.

Athlone dramatically snatched victory four minutes into stoppage time following an impressive passage of play.

Torre slipped Robinson who’s perfectly-weighted cross was finished to the net by Dean Ebbe as the visitors claimed all three points.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Robbie Lynch (Christopher Horgan 8), Evan O'Connor, Richkov Boevi, Oisin O’Reilly; Colin Conroy, Lee Devitt; Steven Healy (Alec Byrne 79) Lee J Lynch, Lee Devitt, Trpimir Vrljicak (Michael Dike 49); Yoyo Mahdy (David Tarmey 79)

Athlone Town: Enda Minogue; Oisin Duffy (Amardo Akeem Oakley 46) , German Fuentes Rodriguez, Dylan Hand, Brian Torre; Aaron Connolly, Daniel McKenna (Peter McGregor 46) Leo Gaxha; Gideon Tetteh (Kyle Robinson 60), Dean Ebbe, Noah van Geenen (Shane Forbes 46).

Referee: Lucas Keating