Treaty United welcome Longford Town to Garryowen
Treaty United will look to make it four First Division wins on the bounce when they welcome Longford Town to the Markets Field tonight.
The Super Blues face a Longford side who have enjoyed a positive season to date but have enjoyed a mixed bag of results of late.
Wayne Grove’s side were beaten last time out in the First Division at home to Wexford FC.
The Midlanders have also been included in some high-scoring contests of late, with a 5-2 loss coming at the hands of Bray Wanderers and a 4-3 win against Cork City coming in the last month.
Longford also registered a comprehensive FAI Cup second round win over Dublin’s Baldoyle United a fortnight ago, winning 8-0 at Bishopsgate.
Although impressive of late, Longford face a Treaty United side who are enjoying their most successful period of the season to date.
The Shannonsiders have picked up a maximum of nine points from their last three league outings, Barrett and co. will be hoping to make it 12 points from a possible 12 on Friday night.
Wins against neighbours Kerry FC (2-1), Finn Harps (1-0) and Athlone Town (2-1) have seen Treaty rise to ninth in the table on 26 points, five points adrift of Longford who sit in fifth position in the all-important final play-off position.
Treaty’s most recent outing was an impressive 2-1 win against Athlone Town in Garryowen 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.
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.
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.
The visitors pressed in the remaining minutes in search of an equaliser, but Barrett's side defended resolutely to secure another vital three points.
Next up for Treaty United is a home clash with Longford Town in Garryowen on Friday night.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm and the tie will be broadcast live on 7.45pm.