Treaty United hold league leaders Athlone Town to a draw at the Markets Field

The Treaty United Women's team have drawn 1-1 with Athlone Town at the Markets Field in the Women's Premier Division.

READ MORE: Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship team-by-team guide

Both teams traded chances early on this rare Wednesday evening kick-off. Emma Mooney flashed a shot just over the bar after four minutes for the Midlanders. 

Treaty, in truth, should have been ahead minutes later. Neat footwork from Madison McGuane opened up some space for the midfielder. She then found the onrushing Madelyn Robbins who was unable to convert from just inside the box. 

Robbins was put through on goal again moments later after a neat ball over the top but Athlone shot-stopper Megan Plaschko pulled off a fine stop, smothering Robbins' effort, keeping the score 0-0.

Treaty would be made pay for their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal on seven minutes when Athlone captain Kayleigh Shine headed home a corner from close-range. 

Both teams threatened for the remainder of the half. Treaty's McGuane, Robbins and Lawlee continued to pose a goal-threat whilst the likes of Kelly Brady kept Mara McCleary and the Treaty United defence honest, Brady hitting the cross bar on 18 minutes. 

Lawlee continued to keep Plaschko on her toes throughout the first 45. Stinging the palms on the Finnish international on a number of occasions.

Kelly Brady, who was unlucky not to open her account with that earlier attempt off the crossbar, should have gotten off the mark on after half an hour when she latched on to a ball over the top but dragged her effort just wide of Tuomi's post.

Sarah Rice threatened just before the end of the half for the Midlanders but the loudest cheer of the first 45 came when Katie Lawlee smashed an effort in off the underside of the crossbar on 44 minutes. 

Lawlee found herself on the end of a low-driven cross after industrious work from Madelyn Robbins on the wing, who orchestrated the chance beautifully. 

The beginning of the second-half played out much like the first-half ended. Both teams traded half-chances as the half wore on.

Lawlee was again looking dangerous on the break and Athlone probed in and around the Treaty box but the Shannonsiders' defence stood firm, McCleary dominating many of the 50/50 exchanges.

The second-half also saw the levels of physicality ramp up significantly, with both sides acutely aware of what was at stake. The challenges started to come thick and fast and referee David Dunne was busy issuing yellow cards.

Treaty nearly found themselves in front on 64 minutes when a Lawlee cross almost found the toes of the onrushing Bella Flochinni.

Both sets of defences reigned supreme in what was a taxing half of physical football. The challenges continued to fly in and whilst both teams did enjoy periods of possession, neither side was able to find that elusive goal. 

The score remained 1-1 with Treaty showing they are more than capable of competing with the league's best, who are playing in the Champions League qualifiers against Welsh side Cardiff City next week.

Sean Russell and his management team will have plenty of positives to dwell on as they head into a two-week break, their next outing a league tie against DLR Waves on August 9 at the Markets Field.

They face the same opposition a week later on August 16 when they travel to the capital to face DLR Waves in the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup.

TREATY UNITED: Liisa Tuomi, Grace McInerney, Ayaka Ikeza (O'Neill 90'), Mara McCleary, Isabella Flochinni, Madelyn Robbins (Breslin 65'), Madison McGuane (Griffin 81'), Katie Lawlee, Kate Jones, Aibhlinn Cotter, Jillian O'Toole (C)

Athlone Town: Megan Plaschko, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine (C), Shauna Brennan, Natalie McNally, Hannah Waesch, Kelly Brady (Donegan 52'), Roisín Molloy, Isabel Ryan (Fitzgerald 67'), Emma Mooney (O'Connor 90'), Sarah Rice

REFEREE: David Dunne (Dublin)