Treaty United looking to keep league momentum going with trip to Athlone

TREATY UNITED must switch their attention back to SSE Airtricity League First Division matters on Friday night when they travel to the Midlands to face Athlone Town.

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Tommy Barrett and his side will be looking to bounce back from their FAI Cup second round defeat to Derry City on Friday last at the Markets Field. Treaty fell to a 5-1 defeat after a spirited first half display, with the sides deadlocked o-o at half-time.

Treaty will be disappointed with the nature of the loss having conceded three goals directly from corners in 15 second-half minutes, with Derry's Liam Boyce's grabbing a hat-trick for ‘the Candystripes’.

The in-form Lee Devitt did pull one back for the hosts, but Derry's Premier Division quality shone through as the half came to a close, adding two more goals late on to make it a five-star performance.

Treaty have a chance to put that result behind them on Friday night when they visit the Athlone Town Stadium in the league.
Athlone currently sit rock bottom of the First Division table, five points off ninth-placed Kerry FC.

Treaty will be fancied to pick up three points in this clash as Tommy Barrett and his charges continue to chase a play-off position.

Treaty currently sit fourth in the table on 33 points, level with fifth-placed UCD, with only goal difference separating the sides.
A win for the Shannonsiders would keep the chasing pack at arm's length , with the likes of UCD, Wexford FC and Longford Town in hot pursuit.

Treaty will be hoping for a repeat result of the last time the two sides met back in April. The Limerick side ran out 1-0 winners at the Markets Field, thanks to a goal for the recently departed Yoyo Mahdy.

Although suffering a defeat to Derry City in the FAI Cup last week, Treaty will be hoping to carry their league form into this Friday's tie.

Tommy Barrett's charges brought their four-game winless run to an end against Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers last time out in the league.

Mark Byrne's goal in the 87th minute was enough to give the Limerick-based side a 2-1 win, gifting them a valuable three points.

Athlone are also coming into the game off the back of tasting second round FAI Cup defeat.

The midlanders were beaten 2-1 by Kerry FC after extra-time in Tralee, while their last outing in the league was a 0-0 draw away to Wexford FC.

With attacking reinforcements through the door in the last number of weeks, via the signings of Brian Cunningham from Galway and Patrick Ferry from Finn Harps, Treaty will be hoping that some fresh faces will help propel the club into a play-off position come the end of the season.

The trip to Athlone is one that Tommy Barrett isn't taking lightly. Speaking in the aftermath of his side's loss to Derry City, the Limerick native spoke of the threat Athlone Town can pose.

“We have to go up to Athlone and see can we get a win. They're bottom of the table, but it's not going to be easy, it's never easy against any team in the First Division."

“We have to go up there with the attitude that we can get three points and if we don't get the three, we have to keep the board ticking over and we get the point."

“I just hope tonight doesn't knock the confidence out of the lads. It's up to us to re- group for the rest of the week and have a right go up in Athlone,” he concluded.