Treaty United ladies undone by league leaders Athlone Town
Athlone Town were in excellent form in their 4-1 victory over Treaty United at the Markets Field
TREATY United’s ladies went down to a 4-1 defeat to champions elect Athlone Town this Saturday afternoon at the Markets Field.
Laurie Ryan’s side slip down the table to sixth after the loss with four games of the regular season remaining. Goals from Madie Gibson and Alexis Strickland gave Athlone a 2-0 half time lead.
Madison McGuane pulled a goal back for Treaty just after the hour mark but a Grace McInerney own goal and Roisin Molloy’s goal near the death saw Athlone edge closer to the league title.
Athlone nearly hit the front on 13 minutes when Gibson shot towards goal but her effort crashed off the post and bounced away from danger.
Treaty responded with an excellent move of their own that saw Caroline Penner force a superb save from Athlone netminder Maria Mathaiou.
Emma Jones made a fine save to deny the away side on 21 minutes but less than 90 seconds later, Athlone hit the front with Gibson giving her side a deserved lead.
The home side barely had time to recover from the concession of the opening goal when Athlone struck again. This time it was Strickland that forced an effort into the net do double their advantage with 27 minutes on the clock.
Treaty pushed hard to get back into the game for the remainder of the half but were met by a well-drilled Athlone defence that never looked too troubled by the home attack at the Markets Field.
At the other end, Athlone continued to threaten with intent but were repelled by a strong Treaty defensive effort that held the score at two heading into the half time break.
Ryan’s charges continued to push in the opening quarter of the second half with Emma Oliphant fired at goal that whizzed just over the crossbar.
Emma Jones was then on hand to deny Athlone a third goal of the game with a fine save from Strickland’s strike on 52 minutes.
Treaty were finally rewarded for their efforts just after the hour mark when McGuane got them back into the game to ensure a grandstand finish.
However, Treaty’s hopes of an unexpected comeback were dashed 17 minutes from time when McInerney’s own goal saw Athlone go two goals in front once again.
Treaty were hit with the concession of a fourth goal late on when Molloy hit the target to give push Athlone further ahead at the top of the League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division table.
Ryan will now prepare her side for their next outing, a home game against Peamount United at the Markets Field next Saturday at 3pm.
Athlone could clinch the league title on the same day if results go in their favour with a win from their game with DLR Waves.
TREATY UNITED: Emma Jones; Grace McInerney, Kyah Coady, Fiona Doherty (Aine Walsh, 51 mins), Aibhlinn Cotter; Katie Lawlee, Emma Oliphant, Madison McGuane, Laura O’Neill (Amelia Freeman, 71 mins); Caroline Penner, Ciara Breslin (Eva Loftus, 82 mins).
ATHLONE TOWN: Maria Mathaiou; Phoebe Hampson, Emma Mooney, Kelis Barton, Shauna Brennan; Kerry Brown, Hannah Waesch, Chloe Singleton (Dana Scheriff, 58 mins), Isabel Ryan (Roisin Molloy, 58 mins); Madie Gibson (Hazel Donegan, 86 mins), Alexis Strickland (Muireann Daly, 90 mins).