League Report: Treaty United 2 – 3 Galway United

Michael Cooke reports from the Market’s Field

Stephen Walsh’s late winner saw Galway United come from behind to beat Treaty United 3-2 at the Market’s Field in the SSE Airtricity League First Division.

A brace from Dean George saw Treaty lead 2-0 midway through the second half before goals from Ronan Manning and Alex Murphy levelled the game.

Galway’s scorer-in-chief subsequently bagged the winner three minutes from time resulting in a major boost for the visitors’ promotion ambitions.

The visitors were favourites to win the game given their superior standing in the table and had two chances to ease the weight of expectations during the opening exchanges.

Firstly, Manu Dimas’ effort sailed over the crossbar from inside the box before Wilson Waweru’s tame 20-yard effort was repelled by Jack Brady nine minutes later.

Treaty capitalised on Galway’s inaccuracy on 14 minutes as George opened the scoring. As usual, Marc Ludden was the architect.

Waweru gave possession directly back to Ludden from the initial throw-in and his subsequent left-wing cross was headed in by George at the near post.

Galway could’ve restored parity on 23 minutes as Stephen Walsh outpaced Joe Gorman while making a surging run down the left-hand side before shooting straight at Brady from a tight angle.

Three minutes from the break Galway appeared to have equalised when Waweru collected Walsh's cross inside the box and found the net. 

The Galway midfielder was subsequently deemed to be offside and Tommy Barrett’s men went in leading 1-0 at the half-time break.

One of the most interesting subplots prior to the kick-off was the prospect of numerous players facing their former clubs.

Ludden was among that group, and he was yet again to the fore as Treaty doubled their advantage on 63 minutes.  

Firstly, one of his trademark long throws was headed into the path of Matt Keane whose 20-yard effort was deflected out for a corner kick.

Ludden’s subsequent delivery triggered a scramble in the Galway goalmouth before George pounced on a loose ball to score his fourth goal of the season.

A surprise victory for the hosts looked conceivable as the clocked ticked closer towards the end but Galway had other ideas.

John Caulfield’s men received a lifeline on 75 minutes as Max Hemmings combined to set up fellow substitute Ronan Manning for Galway’s opening goal.

Hemmings found Manning 20 yards out and he exhibited some delightful ball control before rifling the ball into the net.

Galway were lacking in attacking ruthlessness for much of the contest but suddenly, parity was restored ten minutes from time.

Sean Guerins fouled Francely Lomboto out wide on the right resulting in a free-kick and David Hurley's superb delivery was headed in by Alex Murphy at the far post. 

Galway then snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on 88 minutes when Gary Boylan’s long ball was headed in by Walsh.

Galway’s scorer in chief registered his sixth goal of the season but probably his most important one as the Tribesmen sustained pressure on league leaders Cork City.

Treaty United: Jack Brady; Marc Ludden, Sean Guerins, Joe Gorman (Conor Melody 46), Charlie Fleming; Callum McNamara, Jack Lynch (c), Matt Keane (Martin Coughlan 86), Lee Devitt Molloy, Joe Collins (Colin Conroy 71); Dean George.
Subs not used: Conor Winn, Scott Kirkland, Lee Mulready, William Armshaw, Jack Arra, Josh Quinlivan.
Booked: None.

Galway United: Conor Kearns; Diego Portilla (Gary Boylan 76), Conor O'Keeffe (Max Hemmings 66), Alex Murphy, Killian Brouder; Wilson Waweru (Ronan Manning 66), Conor McCormack (c), Edward McCarthy (Jordan Adeyemo 66), David Hurley; Stephen Walsh, Manu Dimas (Francely Lomboto 66).
Subs not used: Matthew Connor, Charlie Lyons, Evan O'Connor, Ben Molloy.
Booked: None.

Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan.

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