Treaty United's play-off hopes dashed again after defeat to Wexford
The loss is another dent to Treaty United’s hopes of reaching the end of season play-offs
TREATY United’s playoff hopes were dealt another blow on Friday evening as a first-half Mickie Rowe penalty gave Wexford all three points and ended the Slaneysiders’ run of three straight defeats.
The result pushed Tommy Barrett’s men further adrift of the promotion playoffs, as they now sit 11 points behind Longford Town, who occupy the final berth, with the Shannonsiders languishing in second-bottom, nine points ahead of bottom-dwellers Finn Harps.
It is a fourth straight game without a win for Treaty, who now have just six games to play before the end of the campaign.
The first opening fell to the Shannonsiders in the twelfth minute. Ronan Manning delivered a glorious lofted ball over the top of the Wexford defence to Dare Kareem, who broke the first tackle to put the ball beyond Paul Martin, but the Youths got back in numbers to clear.
Wexford’s first opportunity came nine minutes later as Jamie Wynne flashed an effort goalwards, but it was well gathered by Jack Brady.
Moments later, Ronan Manning had a glorious opportunity after Treaty turned over possession with a high press. Instead of hammering home himself, however, he tried to square to Kareem, but the pass was cut out by Rhys Bartley.
On the stroke of the half-hour mark, the Slaneysiders were awarded a spot-kick as Mark Murphy handled in the box with Mickie Rowe looking set to volley home.
Wexford skipper Rowe stepped up and slotted into the bottom-right corner, sending Brady the wrong way to score his tenth of the season.
Treaty tried to respond as Manning forced a save from Martin with a close-range free-kick. Meanwhile, Jake Doyle nearly doubled Wexford’s advantage with a timid shot after a driving run at the Treaty backline.
Meanwhile, Wexford finished the half strongly, with a couple of chances falling to Doyle, but they failed to make them count as they went into the break with Rowe’s spot-kick proving the difference.
Tommy Barrett’s men pushed for an equaliser after the restart, with Colm Whelan going close, but his looping effort dropped over the Wexford crossbar.
Soon after, Killian Cantwell forced a save from Martin with a powerful 35-yard drive. Right on the hour mark, Liam Doyle went close for the visitors as his effort flashed wide of the target.
Substitute Zak O’Sullivan then made a powerful burst down the right flank before cutting inside and curling an effort goalward, but his left-footed shot hit the side netting.
With nine minutes to play, the Shannonsiders almost drew level, but for a vital intervention from Martin. Kyle Foley’s inswinging delivery was met by the head of 18-year-old Billy Regan, but Martin got across to keep his effort out at the very last moment.
Ninety seconds later, Jason Oyenuga let fly from the edge of the box, but his effort flashed agonisingly close to the right upright.
On the counter, Gideon Tetteh combined with Wynne to put the midfielder straight through on goal, but Jack Brady was quick off his line to make a crucial save and keep Treaty in the game.
As the clock entered stoppage time, the Shannonsiders pushed for a last-gasp equaliser but could not fashion another opening, as Wexford held on for a vital three points to reignite their playoff hopes.
Next up for the Shannonsiders is a trip to the midlands to take on fifth-placed Longford Town in what is a season-defining game if they are to keep any hopes of a return to the playoffs alive.
Meanwhile, Wexford will hope to make it back-to-back victories when they welcome basement side Finn Harps to Ferrycarrig Park.
TREATY UNITED: Jack Brady; Ben Lynch, Robbie Lynch (Billy Regan, 30 mins), Killian Cantwell; Ronan Manning, Colin Conroy (Eric Yoro, 80 mins), Kyle Foley, Mark Byrne (Ben Feeney, 64 mins); Dare Kareem (Jason Oyenuga, 64 mins), Mark Murphy, Colm Whelan (Brian Cunningham, 64 mins).
WEXFORD FC: Paul Martin; Kaylem Harnett, Kian Dignam, Rhys Bartley; Jamie Wynne, Ryan Ritchie, Gavin Hodgins (Zak O’Sullivan, 77 mins), Zayd Abada; Jake Doyle, Mikie Rowe (Gideon Tetteh, 72 mins), Liam Doyle.
Referee: John Walsh.