- Éanna Mackey
- Sat, Mar 30 2024
Eanna Mackey reports from Markets Field.
Treaty United’s unbeaten start to the SSE Airtricity League First Division came to an end as they were defeated by Finn Harps in front of a crowd of 1,712 in the Markets Field this Friday evening.
In this table-topping clash, both sides went into the game level on points having played a handful of matches with just one goal separating them on scoring difference.
Although the Donegal side held the bulk of possession in the opening quarter first chance of the night broke to the Shannonsiders after a hoofed ball from Scott Kirkland found the run of Thomas Considine whose shot was straight at Tim Heimer in the Harps goal.
Harps continued to dominate the opening thirty minutes keeping Treaty hemmed into their half. A half chance fell to David Cawley and Patrick Ferry both fizzed their efforts over the crossbar.
A glorious chance fell to Noe Baba who blazed his shot over from ten yards followed by Ferry’s powerful header that was gathered at the second attempt by Corey Chambers.
Harps then had the ball in the Treaty net as Ferry rebounded Success Edogun’s parried shot from close range but the flag went up for offside.
That seemed to shake the home side as they began to get a foothold in the game but seemed most threatening from set-pieces. Mark Walsh drove his long-range effort over the bar before a Curran free kick caused chaos in the Harps box.
That was followed up minutes later by a Walsh header that was cleared off the line before Hiemer was forced to make a fingertip save to keep the sides level at the interval.
The home side began the second half in a similar vein as a perfectly weighted pass by Yoyo Mahdy was met by Stephen Christopher but his shot was well saved by the on-rushing Hiemer in the Harps goal.
Harps then had a couple of gilt edge chances. A marauding Edogun squared a drilled cross to Stephen Doherty the counter attack but he scuffed what looked like a certain goal wide. Moments later the unmarked Edogun drove his close-range shot over the bar into the visiting support.
Treaty time again played themselves into trouble attempting to pass out from the back with Chambers being forced to make several good saves to keep the game scoreless.
Eventually, the visitors broke the deadlock in the seventy-ninth minute as a loose ball broke to captain Tony McNamee and he swept a low shot into the bottom corner for which Treaty had no response.
Finn Harps make the long journey back to Donegal full value for their victory as Treaty will be forced to bounce back away to fellow play-off chasers Athlone this Monday.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Scott Kirkland (Alec Byrne 66), Robbie Lynch, Evan O'Connor, Oisín O'Reilly, Ben O'Riordan; Stephen Christopher (Mark Byrne 77), Thomas Considine (Sean Costelloe 90), Mark Walsh; Enda Curran, Yousef Mahdy (William Armshaw 68).
Subs not used: Michael Dike, Fionn Doherty, Leon Kirrane, Adam O'Halloran, Mark Murphy.
Booked: Enda Curran (63), Alec Byrne (84).
Finn Harps: Tim-Oliver Hiemer; Noe Baba, Matthew Makinson, Conor Tourish, Jamie Watson; David Cawley, Stephen Doherty (Ryan Rainey 80), Shane McMonagle, Tony McNamee; Success Edogun (Max Johnston 90), Patrick Ferry (Chris Lotefa 77).
Subs not used: Conor Walsh, Luke O'Brien, Darragh Coyle, Sean O'Donnell.
Booked: Matthew Makinson (27), David Cawley (54).
Referee: Alan Patchell .
Attendance: 1,712
extratime.com Player of the Match: Success Edogun (Finn Harps)
