Treaty United Women host Cork City in crucial Premier Division clash
THE Treaty United Women’s side will be aiming to pick up their first win in three Premier Division outings when they host neighbours Cork City this afternoon at 3pm.
The Shannonsiders are winless in the Premier Division since their 2-0 victory over Peamount United on July 11.
Since then, the Super Blues have lost 1-0 on the road to Shamrock Rovers and picked up a point last time out at home to Shelbourne.
Treaty will fancy their chances this Saturday against a Cork City side who have endured a tough season to date.
‘The Rebel Army’ have picked up just five points from a possible 12 outings this season, a run of form that sees Derek Coughlan’s side sit bottom of the league table.
The pair last met in the league in March. A Katie Lawlee double ensured Treaty would be leaving Turner’s Cross with all three points in what was a 2-0 triumph.
Laurie Ryan will be hoping her side can replicate the performance from four months ago on Saturday afternoon.
The Clare native will also be hopeful that her side can build on last week’s 1-1 draw with Shelbourne at the Markets Field.
An early Caroline Penner strike gave the Shannonsiders the perfect start before Shelbourne defender Olivia D'Amico produced a superb individual effort midway through the opening half to ensure the points were shared in Garryowen.
The result leaves Treaty sixth in the table, four points adrift of Shelbourne in third. League leaders Athlone Town remain 10 points clear as they continue their pursuit of a third consecutive league title.
The hosts could hardly have wished for a better opening, taking the lead inside three minutes.
Ellen Goggin delivered an inviting cross from the right that found Aibhlinn Cotter, whose effort crashed back off the crossbar before Penner reacted quickest to nod the rebound into the empty net. Shelbourne responded positively and restored parity after 18 minutes through an excellent solo goal from D'Amico.
Leah Doyle's throw-in found the defender on the left flank, and she surged beyond Goggin before drilling a low effort past Katherine Hess at the near post for her fifth goal of the campaign.
The visitors almost completed the turnaround moments later when Keeva Keenan fired narrowly wide before Hess was forced into an excellent intervention soon after.
Halle Harcourt threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Brianne Severns, but the Treaty goalkeeper raced from her line to smother the danger. Treaty finished the half strongly and twice came close to regaining the advantage.
On the half-hour mark captain Katie Lawlee forced an excellent save from Mya Sanchez with a fierce effort from a tight angle.
Shelbourne started the second period brightly, with Hess once again called into action midway through the half when Harcourt curled a dangerous effort towards the top corner. The American goalkeeper got across well to make the save before gathering the loose ball.
Chances became increasingly scarce as the contest wore on, with both sides cancelling each other out in midfield. Treaty's best opportunity to snatch all three points arrived in the closing stages.
Emma Oliphant almost latched onto a ball over the top before Sanchez reacted decisively off her line, while Penner forced another save from the Shelbourne stopper with a driven effort from a tight angle.
From the resulting corner, Kyah Coady rose highest but could not generate enough power on her header to trouble Sanchez as the visitors held on for a share of the spoils. Treaty’s game with Cork has a 3pm start and is live on LOITV this afternoon.