Treaty United edged out by Shamrock Rovers in live TV league clash

SEÁN Russell’s Treaty United suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity League Women’s Premier Division at a sun-baked Market’s field on Saturday evening.

Two-headed goals from Scarlett Heron on either side of halftime proved to be the difference as the Shannonsiders fell to a narrow home defeat at the hands of the Hoops in front of an attendance of 267.

The result sees Treaty United sit in sixth place in the Women's Premier Division table, but just four points off third-placed Galway United.

Treaty started the brighter with Madelyn Robbins and Kate Jones combining well in the fourth minute before the latter delivered a lofted cross met by the head of Katie Lawlee, whose effort rattled off the Rovers crossbar.

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Three minutes later, Bella Flocchini struck from a distance, but her effort was well saved by Hoops goalkeeper Summer Lawless.

Rovers then took the lead with their first attack in the 13th minute. An in-swinging corner from Jaime Thompson was met by the head of centre half Scarlett Herron, who cushioned her effort into the roof of the net.

Maria Reynolds went close to doubling the Dubliners advantage five minutes later as her half volley flashed inches wide of the upright. Áine O’Gorman was next to have a go in the 23rd minute, but her close-range effort was well saved by Liisa Tuomi.

In the 35th minute Lawlee and Robbins combined for the former to drive her shot narrowly wide following a sustained period of dominance from the Hoops.

On the stroke of half-time, Flocchini levelled the game with a stunning effort from the edge of the box. The American toe poked a chipped effort goalward, catching Lawless completely blindsided, with her effort rattling the back of the net with virtually the last kick of the half.

Seven minutes after the restart, Lawlee came close to taking the lead for the Shannonsiders when she was put through on goal, but Lawless was equal to it and smothered her effort.

With 15 minutes remaining, Hoops captain Áine O’Gorman looked certain to find the net, having been slipped through with a looping ball forward. She gathered possession inside the Treaty Utd box, but her drilled effort was heroically saved by Liisa Tuomi to keep the scores level.

However, three minutes later the visitors took the lead with Scarlett Heron grabbing her second headed goal of the evening following a perfectly delivered cross from Katie O’Reilly.

Just 90 seconds later, O’Reilly almost became the provider again as her scuffed shot landed at the feet of Melissa O’Kane, but she could not direct her effort on target.

Five minutes from time, Emily Corbet went close for Rovers with a snapshot from the edge of the box, but her effort was well saved by Tuomi. Lawlee went closest for the Shannonsiders ninety seconds later, but she drove her effort well over the bar.

Next up for Seán Russell’s troops is a trip to Leeside for a clash against Munster rivals Cork City, who sit third from bottom.

Meanwhile, fifth-placed Rovers will return home to face basement side DLR Waves.

Treaty United: Liisa Tuomi, Aoibhlinn Cotter, Clodagh Daly, Bella Flocchini, Ayaka Ikeza, Kate Jones (Cara Griffin 77), Katie Lawlee, Mara McCleary, Madison McGuane, Jillian O’Toole, Madelyn Robbins.

Shamrock Rovers: Summer Lawless, Anna Butler (Keelin Comiskey 66), Scarlett Herron, Ella Kelly, Áine O’Gorman, Melissa O’Kane, Claire O’Reilly, Fiona Owens, Joy Ralph (Emily Corbet 78), Maria Reynolds, Jaime Thompson (Katie O’Reilly77).

Referee: Daryl Carolan.