Treaty United suffer defeat to Bray Wanderers in First Division

TREATY United suffered a disappointing defeat on the road to Bray Wanderers as the hosts recorded a 2-1 victory to secure a fourth straight win in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening.

Goals from former Limerick FC captain Killian Cantwell and Richard Ferizaj sandwiched between a Yoyo Mahdy equaliser were enough for Bray to record a valuable three points against their play-off rivals from Limerick.

The Shannonsiders had the better of the early chances, with Lee Devitt and Rickov Boevi having tentative efforts in the opening minutes.

In the 19th minute Karl O’Sullivan flashed over an effort before Bray’s Conor Knight forced the game’s first save from Corey Chambers four minutes later.

Seven minutes later, Treaty came within millimeters of taking the lead in a frantic exchange as Yoyo Mahdy’s effort rattled off the crossbar and bounced onto the line before being cleared.

Boevi turned over possession before delivering a low cross. Lee Devitt looked to have been fouled, but referee John Walsh waved play on before Mahdy rifled the loose ball goalward.

Six minutes later it was Bray’s turn to go close. Max Murphy picked up possession in the centre circle, and spotting Chambers off his line, tried an audacious effort to lob the Treaty goalkeeper. His effort looked destined for the net, but the scrambling Chambers managed to get a fingertip to keep the game scoreless.

In the 36th minute, Richard Ferizaj forced a diving save from Chambers. From the resulting play, Conor Doyle drilled a crossfield ball to the unmarked Killian Cantwell. The Bray captain nutmegged the oncoming Treaty defender before lashing a spectacular effort into the top corner to give the Seagulls the lead.

Five minutes later the hosts nearly doubled their lead as Billy O’Neill drilled a low cross to Ferizaj, but the teenager's effort barrelled off of the upright.

Bray made a quick start to the second half with O’Neill forcing another save from Chambers, but just five minutes after the restart, the Limerick-based side had restored parity.

An in-swinging corner from O’Sullivan was inch perfect for the head of Mahdy, and the Treaty attacker glanced his effort beyond Jimmy Corcoran and into the net, to the delight of the travelling support.

However, the Treaty comeback was to be short-lived, as within six minutes, Ferizaj had the hosts back in front. Boevi was bundled over by the Bray press, and Danu Kinsella Bishop played a through ball to Ferizaj.

The former Shamrock Rovers academy player coolly slotted the ball beyond Chambers as the visitors protested.

In the 70th minute, Mark Byrne went close for Treaty as he got on the end of a Mahdy cross, but he couldn’t direct his effort towards goal. That was to be as close as the Shannonsiders would come to grabbing a second as Bray dug in and played on the counter.

Six minutes from time, the hosts almost doubled their advantage when Callum Costello latched onto a through-ball, but he blasted his effort narrowly wide.

The result leaves the Limerickmen in the last of the four playoff berths, although more concerning is the fact that they have now recorded only one win in six.

Tommy Barrett’s men will hope to get back to winning ways on Good Friday when they welcome the challenge of runaway league leaders Dundalk to the Market’s Field, 7.45pm.

Meanwhile, second-placed Bray will travel to Longford.

BRAY WANDERERS: Jimmy Corcoran, Harvey Warren, Killian Cantwell, Max Murphy, Jamie Duggan, Richard Ferizaj (Guillermo Almirall 80), Cian Doyle, Rhys Bartley, Conor Knight (Callum Costello 67), Billy O’Neill, Danu Kinsella Bishop (Cian Curtis 67).

TREATY UNITED: Corey Chambers, Evan O’Connor, Eoin Martin (Ben Lee 80), Richkov Boevi (Fionn Doherty 60), Ben Lynch, Robbie Lynch, Lee Devitt (Conor Wilson 80), Steven Healy, Karl O’Sullivan (David Tarmey 81), Yoyo Mahdy, Trpimir Vrljicak (Mark Byrne 60).

REFEREE: John Walsh.