In form Treaty United claim third league win on the bounce
Tommy Barrett’s side moved four points clear of bottom placed Finn Harps after a 2-1 win over Athlone
Treaty United continued their resurgence with a third successive league victory after overcoming Athlone Town 2-1 at the Markets Field on Friday evening, moving to within a point of the Midlanders in the SSE Airtricity League First Division table.
Tommy Barrett's side are now just five points adrift of the promotion play-off places with 12 league games remaining, as goals either side of half-time from Cian Curtis and Jason Folarin Oyenuga proved enough to secure all three points.
James Crawford's late deflected free-kick set up a nervy finish, but the Shannonsiders held firm to continue their climb up the table.
Barrett made three changes from the side that exited the FAI Cup against UCD last weekend. Recent signings Killian Cantwell and Dare Kareem were both handed their first starts, while Curtis returned to the starting line-up. Eric Yoro and Steven Healy dropped to the bench, with Colm Whelan unavailable through suspension.
Athlone manager Seán O'Connor, meanwhile, kept faith with the side that comfortably defeated Midleton in the FAI Cup last time out as the visitors looked to make it three consecutive victories in all competitions.
The opening half was a cagey affair with clear-cut opportunities at a premium, but the first meaningful chance fell to the hosts after 11 minutes. Oyenuga surged down the left wing before driving a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, where Curtis could only divert his effort wide under pressure.
The next big opportunity came just before the interval and culminated in a vital goal for the home side. Kareem showed neat footwork to win possession before exchanging passes with Curtis, who burst into the penalty area and emphatically fired beyond former Limerick FC keeper Brendan Clarke to hand the home side a slender lead at the break.
The Shannonsiders nearly doubled their advantage six minutes after the restart. Kareem was again at the heart of the move, splitting the Athlone defence before Ronan Manning delivered an inviting cross across goal. Curtis narrowly failed to connect before Oyenuga arrived at the back post, only to drag his effort inches wide.
However, the energetic winger would not have to wait long to make amends. Just three minutes later, Manning's deep corner was headed back across goal by Robbie Lynch, leaving Oyenuga with the simplest of finishes from close range to put Treaty firmly in control.
Athlone attempted to mount a response as Aaron Connolly's well-struck free-kick forced Jack Brady into a comfortable punch clear before former Treaty striker Patrick Ferry tried his luck from distance, with his powerful effort sailing harmlessly over the crossbar.
At the opposite end, the hosts came agonisingly close to putting the contest beyond doubt. Substitute Steven Healy combined well with Mark Byrne before driving a low effort beyond Clarke, only to see his shot cannon back off the foot of the post.
With eight minutes remaining, Robbie Lynch was penalised for a foul on Peter Grogan just outside the penalty area, allowing Crawford the opportunity to reduce the deficit. His free-kick took a significant deflection off the Treaty wall before looping beyond the helpless Brady and into the top corner.
The visitors pressed in the remaining minutes in search of an equaliser, but Barrett's side defended resolutely to secure another vital three points.
Treaty will now look to continue their excellent recent league form when fourth-placed Longford Town visit the Markets Field next Friday, with a fourth consecutive league victory potentially moving the Limerick side firmly into the promotion conversation. Athlone, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back when they welcome UCD to the midlands.
Treaty United: Jack Brady; Ben Lynch, Robbie Lynch, Killian Cantwell; Ronan Manning (Mark Byrne, 70 mins), Colin Conroy (Steven Healy, 70 mins), Kyle Foley, Dare Kareem (Eric Yoro, 90 mins); Mark Murphy, Jason Oyenuga (Ben Cunningham, 90 mins), Cian Curtis.
Athlone Town: Brendan Clarke; Josh Farnham (Thomas Considine, 62 mins), Jonathan Kehir, Evan O’Connor; Will Smith, Patrick Ferry (Ameer Ayinde, 62 mins), Aaron Connolly, Brian McManus, James Crawford (Reece Webb, 90 mins); Cillian Tollett, Gradi Lomboto (Peter Grogan, 46 mins).
Referee: Ian O’Keefe.