League Report: Treaty United 2 - 0 Athlone Town

Michael Cooke reports from the Markets Field

A goal in each half from Dean George proved decisive as Treaty defeated Athlone Town 2-0 in the SSE Airtricity League first division at the Markets Field.

Athlone Town failed to record a single victory over Treaty last season and the feat never looked like changing as Treaty dominated proceedings overall.

Both sides were lacking in cohesion during the opening exchanges which in turn translated to a shortage of meaningful scoring chances but poor defensive play from Athlone almost gave Treaty the lead.

Andrew Spain passed the ball back to Micheal Schlingermann who’s miscued clearance fell to Enda Curran and his first-time effort was kept out by the Athlone netminder.

12 minutes later, Schlingermann was called into action again as Charlie Fleming tried his luck from 30 yards out, but his volleyed effort was parried by Schlingermann.

Kieran Hanlon followed up on the rebound, but his shot was blocked by McBride and the resultant corner kick amounted to nothing.

Treaty almost rued the missed chances on 34 minutes when the visitors nearly took the lead, albeit against the run of play.

Oisin Duffy passed the ball to Youri Habing who tried to catch Treaty goalkeeper Jack Brady off his line but rifled it off the crossbar from 35 yards out.

The deadlock was broken on 42 minutes and it was an almost instantaneous impact from Dean George who was only introduced as a substitute five minutes prior.

Matt Keane headed Stephen Christopher's towards Schlingermann and he deflected the ball into the path of Dean George who finished to the net as Treaty led 1-0 at the break.

Athlone almost restored parity four minutes after the restart. Thomas Oluwa made a marauding run down the left flank before finding Success Edogun inside the box.

Edogun's subsequent shot was tipped over the crossbar by Jack Brady resulting in a corner kick which the visitors couldn’t exploit.

George doubled Treaty’s advantage on 59 minutes. The move started with a sumptuous pass from Joe Collins which sent Stephen Christopher away on the left.

Christopher cut inside and his subsequent shot deflected off Schlingermann and out to Dean George who tapped in from six yards out.

Treaty almost scored again on 70 minutes as Christopher’s 20-yard effort was deflected out for a corner kick by Schlingermann but it amounted to nothing.

Athlone were under the cosh but carved out a rare chance three minutes later. Andrew Spain’s left-wing cross found Thomas Oluwa in the box but shot straight at Brady.

Treaty could’ve embellished the scoreboard further nine minutes from time as substitute Lee Devitt fired his 20-yard effort wide.

The missed chance didn’t prove detrimental however as Treaty completed back to back victories while Athlone Town now have six defeats from seven games.

Treaty United: Jack Brady; Mark Walsh, Marc Ludden (c), Joe Gorman, Charlie Fleming (Martin Coughlan 90); Callum McNamara (Lee Devitt Molloy 76), Matt Keane (William Armshaw 76), Joe Collins, Stephen Christopher; Kieran Hanlon (Dean George 37), Enda Curran (Joel Coustrain 76).
Subs not used: Conor Winn, Colin Conroy, Sean Guerins, Jack Arra.
Booked: Charlie Fleming (86), Lee Devitt Molloy (90).
Sent off: None.

Athlone Town: Mícheál Schlingermann; Andy Spain, Aaron McBride, Oisin Duffy, Daniel Dobbin (Donal Curtin 64); Stephen Kenny, Youri Habing, Gary Armstrong; Carlton Ubaezuonu (Derek Daly 65), Thomas Oluwa, Success Edogun.
Subs not used: Andrew Skerritt, Cian Kelly, Quincy Nkansah, Aaron Connolly, Shane Barnes.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.

Referee: Paul Norton.
Attendance: Unknown
extratime.com Player of the Match: Dean George