Treaty United secure precious win over Bray Wanderers at the Markets Field

TREATY UNITED have beaten Bray Wanderers on a scoreline of 2-1 at the Markets Field in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division at the Markets Field. 

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That result keep the Shannonsiders firmly in the hunt for a play-off position, Tommy Barrett's men sitting in fifth position, one point ahead of Wexford FC, who they face next week.

It was an uneventful opening quarter of an hour from both sides. The Wicklow had more of the ball but were unable to create any real chances of note.

The Shannonsiders, however, did manage to get in behind the Bray defence on more than one occasion through the likes of Lee J Lynch and the industrious Patrick Ferry. 

Perhaps Treaty's best chance early on fell to the feet of Roy Lawlor after 12 minutes, his half-volley flying over James Corocoran's crossbar after a long throw-in caused consternation in the Bray box.

Patrick Ferry had the Markets Field on its feet after 22 minutes when his looping header appeared destined for the back of the net, unfortunately for the Shannonsiders, there was enough hang time on his effort for Corcoran to gather. 

The visitors looked certain to take the lead after 35 minutes. Treaty right-back Chris Horgan lost flight of the ball after a diagonal ball across the field which led to Justin Ferizaj bearing down on Chambers' goal.

Horgan's blushes were spared when Robbie Lynch worked back ferociously to snuff out the danger and keep the score at 0-0. 

Karl O'Sullivan stung the palms of Corcoran just shy of the interval when a long-range throw-in found O'Sullivan on the edge of the box, his effort though, saved with relative ease. 

There was to be no more action of note for the remainder of the half and referee Glen Geraghty blew for half-time minutes later, the sides locked at 0-0.

The opening minutes of the second half started much the same as they did in the first, with both sides having spells of possession but with no end product to boot.

Ferry, who had been a real livewire throughout the game, almost gave his side the lead in the 56th minute but his effort from just inside the box dragged just wide of Corcoran's left-hand post. 

The Markets Field exploded into life on the hour mark when Mark Byrne rifled home from the edge of the box.

The forward found himself in some space in the middle of the park, drove at the heart of the Bray defence, and took aim to give Tommy Barrett's side an invaluable lead. 

Treaty's tails were up in the aftermath of the Byrne strike, all 902 in attendance at the Markets Field were in full voice and the Shannonsiders kept the pressure on their Wicklow opponents. 

That pressure paid off in the 75th minute when a Lee J Lynch in-swinging free-kick found the feet of substitute Joe Hanson to tuck home from six yards out. 

Treaty would perhaps feel hard done by with the nature of Bray's goal in the 82nd minute. Cian Curtis poked home after a swift Bray counter attack. However, Treaty players and fans alike felt there may have been a possible foul in the build up. 

It was to be a nervy final ten or so minutes for Barrett's men but they held firm with some staunch defending. 

Next up for Treaty United is a trip to the south-east to face Wexford FC in what is a crucial last game of the regular season.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Chris Horgan, Robbie Lynch (Richkov Boevi 90'), Eoin Martin, Ben Lynch, Lee J Lynch (Colin Conroy 90'), Lee Devitt, Karl O'Sullivan, Mark Byrne (Fionn Doherty 87'), Roy Lawlor (Ben Lee 63'), Patrick Ferry (Joe Hanson 63')

Bray Wanderers: James Corcoran, Max Murphy, Killian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Conor Knight (Guillermo Almirall 63'), Justin Ferizaj (Cristiano Bramley 80') , Jamie Duggan, Cian Curtis, Cian Doyle (Rhys Bartley 63'), Rhys Knight (Richard Ferizaj 63'), Sean Brennan (Matthew Britton 75') 

Referee: Glen Geraghty