Lawlee stunner hands Treaty United ladies victory over Peamount
The win gives Laurie Ryan’s Treaty side a boost heading into the final stage of the season
A SPECTACULAR second-half Katie Lawlee strike proved decisive as Treaty United Women battled to a hard-earned 1-0 victory over eighth-placed Peamount United to return to winning ways in their SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division fixture at the Markets Field
The victory was a welcome comeback following last week’s 4-1 collapse to champions elect Athlone Town at the Garryowen venue.
Lawlee’s 35-yard, sixty-second-minute strike gave the Shannonsiders all three points against a resolute Peamount side who had their fair share of opportunities.
The win puts Laurie Ryan’s charges level on points with fourth-placed Sligo Rovers, who they will face in their next fixture after the international break.
In a first half where chances were at a premium, the Shannonsiders were first to fashion an opening in the tenth minute when a Ciara Breslin break down the left flank allowed the Treaty attacker to square her pass towards the onrushing Caroline Penner, but her driven shot was well blocked by a wall of Peamount bodies.
Five minutes before the interval, Aoife O’Connor forced a top-class save from Emma Jones in the Treaty goal.
The ball fell kindly to the Peamount wing-back, who took a touch before unleashing a looping effort goalwards from the edge of the Treaty box, but Jones managed to get her fingertips to the ball and touch it out for a corner.
Moments later, an inswinging Peamount corner caused chaos in the Shannonsiders’ box as Jones failed to grasp it cleanly, only parrying the ball into the path of Carlie Sinnott, who, from just yards out, skied her effort over the crossbar.
After the restart, it was the visitors who continued to enjoy the better opportunities, and Lucy O’Rourke really should have given the Dublin side the lead in the forty-third minute.
Freya Healy picked up possession in a pocket of space before playing O’Rourke into the Treaty box, but her drilled effort was superbly saved by Jones once again.
At the other end, Caroline Penner and Katie Lawlee combined well, only for the Treaty skipper to drag her shot narrowly wide of the upright.
Soon after the hour mark, Madison McGuane tried her luck from distance, but her powerful drive rose high and wide of the upright.
However, the home side didn’t have to wait long. The high Treaty press turned over possession deep into the Peamount half, allowing Lawlee to drive at the visitors’ defence before unleashing an unstoppable 35-yard effort that left Summer Lawless helpless as she notched her fifth goal of the season.
With seven minutes to go, Lawlee went close to grabbing a second, with her looping effort forcing a good save from Lawless.
Moments later, McGuane saw her long-range free kick well saved as the Shannonsiders settled into a low block to defend their advantage during the remaining minutes.
Laurie Ryan’s charges will now face a two-week lay-off before returning to action at the Showgrounds in a massive clash with Sligo Rovers. Meanwhile, Peamount will entertain Wexford at Greenogue Park.
TREATY UNITED: Emma Jones; Grace McInerney, Kyah Coady, Emma Oliphant, Ellen Goggin; Kate Jones, Caroline Penner (Aine Walsh, 88 mins), Katie Lawlee; Aibhlinn Cotter (Honor Mulvihill, 46 mins), Eva Loftus (Madison McGuane, 46 mins), Ciara Breslin (Fiona Doherty, 75 mins).
PEAMOUNT UNITED: Summer Lawless; Maria Doherty, Abi Tuthill, Mary Phillips, Aoife O’Connor (Robin Baird, 72 mins); Carlie Sinnott, Freya Healy, Mia McGonnell (Sophie Byrne, 65 mins), Millie Daly (Mia Gaff, 72 mins); Lucy O’Rourke, Mia Murtagh.
Referee: Marc Lynch.