Treaty United fall to disappointing league defeat away to Wexford FC

TOMMY Barrett’s Treaty United suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat on the road to Wexford FC in the SSE Airtricity League First Division on Easter Monday.

Two first-half goals from Kaylem Harnett and Mickie Rowe saw the Youths ease to victory over the visitors. The result comes as a setback for the Limerick-based side, having secured a positive 1-1 draw at home to runaway league leaders Dundalk on Good Friday evening.

It took just eight minutes for Wexford to take the lead through young centre-half Harnett from a free kick on the edge of the box.

READ NEXT: Limerick teenager nets crucial winner as Republic of Ireland claim Bob Docherty Cup

The exciting youngster lofted what looked like a dangerous cross towards the back stick, but without any challenge, it ended up in the top corner, with its flight deceiving Corey Chambers in the Treaty goal.

In the 12th minute, things almost went from bad to worse for the visitors as Steven Healy was caught in possession, allowing Aaron Dobbs a clear route to goal. Thankfully from a Treaty United point of view, Chambers stood tall to deny the Wexford attacker.

A moment later, Mark Byrne showed his pace to get in behind for the Wexford defence, but his shot was blocked by the onrushing Wexford defender before it could cause Paul Martin any trouble.

Then in the 23rd minute, Mickie Rowe found himself completely unmarked in the Treaty United box to pick up possession and rifle a shot goalward, but his effort was well saved by Chambers.

Five minutes before the interval, Wexford scored their second. Ryan Kelly picked up possession on the left flank and nutmegged American defender Eoin Martin before delivering a low cross to Mickie Rowe, who coolly dispatched his effort into the bottom corner.

On the stroke of half-time the hosts almost grabbed a third as Dean Larkin was afforded a free header at the back post.

However, his effort flashed narrowly over the crossbar.

Tommy Barrett rang the changes after the break, but it was not until the 64th minute before the half’s first chance arose as the hosts looked to manage the game. Yoyo Mahdy and Lee Devitt showed some nice interplay before the former glanced his header well wide.

Five minutes later, Karl O’Sullivan had a go from the edge of the box, but his low shot dribbled harmlessly wide before James Crawford and Mickie Rowe rattled off two efforts in quick succession that tested Chambers.

Fifteen minutes from the time, Lee Devitt registered the visitors first shot on target, forcing a save from Paul Martin, before Valeriy Dolia went close.

Mahdy went closest to grabbing a goal back eight minutes from time when his free kick destined for the top corner forced a diving save from Martin. A minute into added time, Niko Kozlowski blasted his effort wide, ending a disappointing evening for the Shannonsiders.

The result sees the Limerick side drop out of the playoffs as Finn Harps leapfrog them. They will now switch their attention to Friday evening when they will return home to the Market’s Field to take on Athlone, 7.45pm. Meanwhile Wexford will hope to continue their fine form at home against UCD.
 
Wexford FC: Paul Martin, James Crawford, Kaylem Harnett (Filip Wasilewski 84), Josh Lyons (Oscar Ramsay 90), Darragh Levingston, Zayd Abada, Ryan Butler, Ryan Kelly (Callum Flynn 64), Dean Larkin, Aaron Dobbs, Mickie Rowe.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Ben Lynch, Darren Nwankwo (Lee Devitt 45), Eoin Martin, Mark Walsh, Colin Conroy (David Tarmey 72), Mark Byrne (Valeriy Dolia), Christopher Horgan, Steven Healy (Karl O’Sullivan 45), Yoyo Mahdy, Conor Wilson (Niko Kozlowski 45).

Referee: Lucas Keating.