Treaty United suffer home defeat to Bray Wanderers in First Division

TREATY United suffered a second defeat from as many games after losing 1-0 to Bray Wanderers in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at the Markets Field on Friday night.

Billy O’Neill’s headed goal midway through the second half proved decisive as Treaty’s winless start to the new First Division campaign continued following their narrow opening night loss to Cork City on Leeside.

The result follows a similar pattern to last year where all five meetings between the sides were decided by a solitary goal.

That includes the First Division play-off final where a last-gasp winner saw the Seagulls end Treaty’s quest for promotion.

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Treaty’s starting line-up showed one change from the Cork City defeat. New signing Jevontae Layne made his debut and replaced Roy Lawlor at right-wing.

Bray Wanderers’ boss Paul Heffernan made three changes from the draw with Longford Town.

Mark Chidi, Ifunanyachi Achara and Ryan Kelly were chosen ahead of Alain Kizenga, Dean O’Shea and Dan Ring.

Two minutes in, Jevontae Layne was fouled by Mark Chidi on the edge of the box. From the resultant free-kick, Cian Curtis fired a show lot wide.

Bray could’ve broken the deadlock on 18 minutes. Tyreik Sammy teed up Ifunanyachi Achara but the Bray striker missed the target from six yards out.

Bray threatened again three minutes from the break. Richard Ferizaj sent Sean Brennan away down the right, the latter played in Achara who fired wide inside the box.

The Seagulls started the second half with intent and carved another chance two minutes after the restart.

Tyreik Sammy whipped a delightful left-wing cross towards the far post; however, Billy O’Neill’s outstretched leg connected with fresh air instead of the ball.

Sixty seconds later, O’Neill skilfully rounded Mark Murphy inside the penalty area but couldn’t direct his effort on target.

O’Neill atoned for the missed efforts by finding the net on 63 minutes. The winger scored with a header after connecting with Ryan Kelly’s perfectly weighted cross.

Treaty could’ve pulled one back five minutes from time. Mark Byrne connected with Cian Curtis’ delightful left-wing cross but couldn’t hit the target.

Treaty pressed for a late equaliser but there was none forthcoming and Paul Heffernan’s men held on for a narrow victory.

Treaty United: Jack Brady; Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh (Ben Lee 84), Darren Nwankwo, Ben Lynch; Mark Murphy (Jason Folarin Oyenuga 69), Raphael Ohin, Steven Healy; Jevontae Layne (Mark Byrne 67), Cian Curtis, Ben Feeney (Brian Cunningham 81).

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran, Jamie Duggan, Declan Osagie, Mark Chidi, Ryan Kelly; Sean Brennan (Kyle Tucker 71), Richard Ferizaj (Ben McCormack 62), Cian Doyle; Billy O’Neill, Ifunanyachi Achara (Dan Ring 50), Tyreik Sammy (Conor Knight 71)

Referee: Glen Geraghty