Treaty On the Brink of Play-off Exit Following Waterford Defeat

Treaty United were left with a mountain to climb if they wish to advance to the next round of the Airtricity League Promotion/Relegation play-off following a heavy 1-4 defeat at home to Waterford FC.

Waterford took a 2 goal lead into half-time with a brace from the in-form Phoenix Patterson. Treaty halved the deficit when referee Damien McGrath awarded the home side a penalty and Enda Curran duly dispatched the spot-kick. Moments later, Colin Conroy was shown a second yellow card and Waterford added goals through Junior Quitirna and a late own goal to seal a big win.

Treaty United made several changes to the side who lost their final league game of the season with the likes of Jack Brady, Marc Ludden, Enda Curran and Steven Christopher returning to the starting line-up. Treaty made one tactical alteration with Lee Devitt moving to the left-wing in an attempt to deal with the marauding forward runs of the powerful Tummise Sobowale. Despite his best efforts, it would prove to be a tough evening for Devitt and his teammates against a skillful and determined visiting side.

The home side were roared on by a huge home crowd and in the first minute, Ludden’s whipped cross was flashed wide by the head of Jack Lynch. Four minutes later, disaster struck for Treaty when Yassine En-Neyah was afforded far too much space to run into and his perfectly waited ball was slid home by Patterson.

After a period of total dominance, Danny Searle’s side extended their lead when Shane Griffin found the run of the lively Patterson who once again placed the ball coolly past Brady. With five minutes remaining before half-time, Waterford were awarded a penalty when Willie Armshaw was adjudged to have fouled Quitirna but the winger hit the post with a casual effort and the deficit remained at 2 at half-time.

In the opening 10 minutes of the second half, two dipping shots from Griffin and Power travelled just over for the visitors as Treaty were forced into a substitution when Ben O’Riordan was forced off after a clash of heads and replaced by Colin Conroy. Within 20 seconds of his arrival, Conroy was yellow carded and worse was to come.

In saying that, the home side managed to gain a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Sobowale. Curran confidently scored the penalty and Treaty regained hope. Immediately afterwards, Armshaw forced a save from Martin as the home crowd began to believe that a comeback was on. However, that hope was extinguished when Conroy received a second yellow card despite the protestations from the home support, players and management.

Two minutes later, Power’s run and deep cross was not dealt with by Ludden at the back post and Quitirna pounced to poke the ball past Brady. In added time, substitute Timmy Sobowale was played through but fired inches wide. As everybody waited for the final whistle, Waterford put the final nail in the coffin as Quitirna reached the byline before pulling the ball back and it was turned into his own net by Sean Guerins.

Treaty are now left with the task of creating a minor miracle to reach the next phase of the play-offs as they travel to the RSC on Saturday night for the second leg.

Treaty United: Jack Brady, Ben O’Riordan (Colin Conroy 51), Sean Guerins, Callum McNamara, Marc Ludden, Jack Lynch, Mark Walsh, Steven Christopher (Success Edogun 74), Willie Armshaw (Matt Keane 74), Enda Curran (Fionn Doherty 85)

Waterford FC: Paul Martin, Tummise Sobowale (Timmy Sobowale 74), Killian Cantwell, Alex Baptiste (Richard Taylor H/T), Daragh Power, Niall O’Keefe, Shane Griffin, Yassine En-Neyah, Phoenix Patterson, Junior Quitirna, Wassim Aouchria (Raul Uche 74)