Five Star Treaty United Open Campaign with Wexford win

Treaty United had a near perfect start to the first division season with a 1-5 victory over Wexford FC at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night. Callum McNamara and Joel Coustrain scored their first competitive goals for the club as they raced Treaty into a 0-2 lead before Conor Davis scored directly from a corner to halve the deficit before half-time. Second half goals from Enda Curran x2 and Joe Gorman completed the rout for the visitors.

Wexford began the game with attacking intent and both wing-backs Aidan Friel and Thomas Considine were providing problems for the visitors. Jack Brady punched clear in the opening exchanges but the ball only fell to Friel whose shot was blocked by Lee Devitt. Dinny Corcoran also had a shot blocked in the area as the home side looked to break down a stubborn defence.

However, it Tommy Barrett’s side who opened the scoring as Joel Coustrain played the ball to the right hand side and a clever first touch and cross from Charlie Fleming was flicked on by Devitt and Callum McNamara headed home from close range.

Moments later, the hosts had a huge chance to equalise as Conor Crolwey’s chip over the top found the head of the onrushing Aaron Dobbs but the striker was denied by a superb save from Brady. An uncharacteristic error from Sean Guerins allowed the ball to fall to Conor Davis in the box but the striker snatched at his shot which travelled wide.

With ten minutes remaining in the first half, Treaty were handed a gift as Joe Gorman’s free-kick was deflected but a calamitous mix-up between Lorcan Fitzgerald and Paul Hunt allowed the ball to spill out to Joel Coustrain to grab Treaty’s second.

Five minutes later, Wexford grabbed a goal in fortunate circumstances as Davis corner evaded the attention of Brady and several defenders at the front post to go directly into the net.

Treaty supporters would have been forgiven for fearing an onslaught in the second half given the timing of the concession and their worst fears were almost realised when Dobbs raced through a minute into the second period but following a good pass from Corcoran, Friel blazed over from the edge of the area.

Wexford were made to pay shortly afterwards as Devitt raced through the middle of the field before being taken down inside the penalty area and referee Oliver Moran awarded the penalty. Enda Curran converted the spot kick on his debut.

Just 6 minutes later, Fleming grabbed his second assist of the night as he tackled Conor Davis before playing a one-two with Coustrain and delivering a perfect cross for Curran who scored his second of the night from close range. After the hour mark, the goal scoring was completed as Joe Gorman headed home from close range following a free-kick delivery from the right.

With 15 minutes remaining, Ian Ryan’s side came close to pulling a goal back but Len O’Sullivan was denied by Brady. Substitutes Kieran Hanlon and Willie Armshaw combined before the latter’s effort travelled just over the crossbar. With virtually the last action of the game, Marc Ludden and Gorman got in each other’s way and allowed Corcoran to shoot but Brady once again denied the striker.

Referee Moran brought an end to proceedings much to the delight of the sizeable travelling support. Barrett was afforded the opportunity to give lengthy game time to the returning Matt Keane along with Dean George and debutant Colin Conroy.

It is the biggest victory for the team since its formation last year and now the focus will be on continuing the great start with a home tie against Athlone Town at the Markets Field next week.

Wexford FC: Paul Hunt, Aidan Friel, Paul Cleary, Mitchell Byrne (Adam Wells 31), Lorcan Fitzgerald, Conor Crowley (Luke Scanlon 70), Thomas Considine (Len O’Sullivan 70), Harry Groome, Conor Davis, Aaron Dobbs, Dinny Corcoran

Treaty United: Jack Brady, Charlie Fleming, Sean Guerins, Joe Gorman, Marc Ludden, Mark Walsh (Matt Keane 72), Callum McNamara (Willie Armshaw 76), Lee Devitt, Conor Melody (Colin Conroy 72), Joel Coustrain (Dean George 60), Enda Curran (Kieran Hanlon 76)