Treaty Utd Women return to winning ways with crucial victory
Caroline Penner’s first-half goal proved the difference on the day as Treaty Utd moved to within three points of fourth-placed Shamrock Rovers
TREATY United Women got back to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bohemians at the Markets Field on Saturday afternoon in the SSE Airtricity League Women’s Premier Division, boosting their hopes of a top-three finish.
Caroline Penner’s first-half goal proved the difference on the day as the Shannonsiders moved to within three points of fourth-placed Shamrock Rovers.
Laurie Ryan made two changes from the side that suffered a 4-2 defeat to Wexford a fortnight ago, with Ciara Breslin and Laura O’Neill coming into the starting XI in place of Fiona Doherty and Jodie Griffin. In the opposing dugout, Alan Murphy made just one change from the side that lost to northside rivals Shelbourne last time out, with Sarah McEvitt coming in in place of Hannah O’Brien.
It took the home side just six minutes to hit the front, and they did so through American attacker Caroline Penner, who notched her third goal contribution in as many games. Penner burst through the Bohemians defence before burying a low shot into the net to register her second league goal since joining from Seattle University in June.
The Gypsies looked to respond and almost did so in the twenty-fifth minute. A loose ball wasn’t dealt with by the Treaty backline, allowing Sarah McEvitt a free shot at goal from close range, but Madison McGuane did brilliantly to head the ball off the line.
The last real opportunity of the half fell to Penner once again. She burst through on goal before rifling her shot off the outside of the post. However, it wouldn’t have counted had it gone in, as the linesman had raised his flag for offside.
The visitors almost drew level ten minutes after the restart as Sarah Power drilled a snapshot following an uncleared corner, but her low effort clipped the post before rolling wide of Katherine Hess’ goal.
Substitute Hannah O’Brien forced a good save from Katherine Hess in the sixty-fifth minute, earning Bohemians a corner. From the resulting inswinger, O’Brien hit a half-volley towards goal that dipped narrowly over the crossbar. At the other end, Katie Lawlee squared to Emma Oliphant, who took a shot from outside the box, but Rachael Kelly easily gathered.
With ten minutes to play, Treaty almost grabbed a second. Lawlee delivered a lofted ball towards Sarah Rice at the back post, with Rachael Kelly failing to claim cleanly. The ball pinballed around the six-yard box before eventually flashing wide of the post.
As the clock ticked into the red, Ciara Breslin forced a smart save from Kelly after a powerful run from Penner. Breslin picked up possession unmarked in the box, but Kelly got her fingertips to the effort to avert the danger.
The Shannonsiders will head west next weekend as they take on third-placed Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park. Meanwhile, Bohs will hope to end their winless streak when they host Dublin rivals Peamount United at Dalymount Park.
TREATY UNITED: Katherine Hess; Kyah Coady, Emma Oliphant, Ellen Goggin, Kate Jones (Fiona Doherty 64); Caroline Penner, Madison McGuane, Katie Lawlee, Laura O’Neill; Ciara Breslin, Sarah Rice.
BOHEMIANS: Rachael Kelly; Ciara Maher, Fiona Donnelly, Alannah McEvoy (Jane Smyth 65), Sarah McEvitt (Hannah O’Brien 65); Sarah Power, Aoife Brophy (Shauna Carroll 81), Savannah Kane; Aoife Fennell, Leiagh Glennon (Lauryn McCabe 65), Alex Devoy (Lisa Murphy 82).
REFEREE: Ian O’Keefe.