Treaty United secure First Division play-off berth after professional showing in Wexford

TREATY UNITED are through to this season's SSE Airtricity First Division play-offs after a professional showing against Wexford FC in Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night.

READ MORE: Treaty United well represented in SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Awards

This result puts The Shannonsiders into the First Division play-offs against Cobh Ramblers with the first leg of that tie to be played on Friday, October 24 at the Markets Field. 

Wexford started with intent in front of a raucous home crowd.

The Yellowbellies were posing a threat from early on and striker Ben McCormack almost got the home side in front after four minutes when an attempted chip almost deceived Corey Chambers after neat build up play from Oluwabiyi on the left-wing.

Oluwabiyi was getting on a lot of ball early on and was looking dangerous down that left-hand side as Wexford looked to grab an early goal.

Treaty were looking threatening themselves at times, dispelling any notions that they were playing for a draw, as they looked to penetrate through the likes of Patrick Ferry, Mark Byrne and Lee J Lynch.

Treaty were beginning to build a head of steam through set pieces and threatened at times through the likes of Richkov Boevi, with Lee Devitt delivering the ball expertly more often that not.

The game started to become cagey as the half wore on, perhaps both teams becoming acutely aware of what was at stake. ben McCormack was pulling the strings for the home side but with no end product to boot. 

Treaty had a penalty shout late on into the half when left-back Ben Lynch went down under a challenge after a marauding run, his appeals however, quickly waved away by referee Kevin O'Sullivan.

Wexford were denied the chance to take the lead with the final act of the opening 45. McCormack's in-swinging cross found Dean Larkin at the back post, his headed effort cleared off the line by Evan O'Connor. 

O'Sullivan blew for half-time moments later and the sides went in 0-0 at the interval. 

Treaty took the lead in the 49th minute through Patrick Ferry when Wexford shot-stopper Paul Martin spilled a Mark Byrne shot from distance. 

Wexford looked to respond to that setback but to Treaty's credit, they showed a real sense of professionalism in the 15 minutes or so that followed, with some smart defending and ball retention on display. 

That ball retention led to the ultimate reward in the 66th minute when Lee J Lynch fired the ball across the box for Mark Byrne after Treaty showed some real patience in the build-up. 

To Wexford's credit they battled to try and upset Barrett's charges but Treaty were resolute and steady. The Shannonsiders' back four of O'Connor, Boevi, Martin and Lynch were on hand to snuff out any danger that the home side posed. 

Ajibola Oluwabiyi still looked to make things happen for Wexford but O'Connor did well to keep the wingers' threat to a minimum.

Dean Larkin did have the ball in Corey Chamber's net late on but it was ruled out for offside.

Referee Kevin O'Sullivan sounded for full time moments later, much to the delight of the strong travelling support and it's a Munster derby Treaty can look forward to when they face Cobh net week.  

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Evan O'Connor, Richkov Boevi, Eoin Martin, Ben Lynch, Colin Conroy, Lee J Lynch (Ben Lee 86 mins), Karl O'Sullivan, Lee Devitt, Mark Byrne (Fionn Doherty 90 mins), Patrick Ferry (Joe Hanson 78 mins).

Wexford FC: Paul Martin, James Crawford (Kyal Byrne 79 mins), Robbie McCourt, Dean Larkin, Aaron Dobbs, Calum Flynn, Conor Levingston, Zayd Abada (Muhammad Harris 68 mins), Ajibola Oluwabiyi, Evan Osam, Ben McCormack (Kaylen Hartnett HT).

Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan