- Éanna Mackey
- Sun, Jul 28 2024
Eanna Mackey reports from Markets Field.
Treaty United hearts were broken on Saturday afternoon following a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Wexford in the Women’s Premier Division.
Ellen Molloy snatched victory for the visitors in the 94th minute with a wondergoal, confining Dominic Foley’s side to their sixth defeat in seven.
Ninth-place Treaty welcomed fifth-placed Wexford on the back of a 2-0 away victory over DLR Waves that ended the Shannonsider's seven-game winless run.
Meanwhile, Wexford arrived in Limerick in a good run of form being undefeated in five league games despite this week's dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat to Galway in the All-Island Cup semi-final.
Treaty made an aggressive start with Katie Lawlee rattling off a shot inside the first minute but she couldn’t direct her effort goal ward. Three minutes later Jillian O’Toole dragged her header harmlessly wide.
In the seventh minute, Teegan Lynch found herself in space on the edge of the Treaty box but she blasted her effort from Ceola Bergin’s cushioned pass but Anne-Marie Ulliac got down well to save.
Wexford then took the lead in the 11th minute as Ceola Bergin capitalised on a defensive error to latch onto the loose ball and coolly flick it beyond Ulliac.
Treaty tried to respond with half chances from Cayleigh Boeckx, Delana Friesen, and Anna Rockett but none managed to trouble Wexford goalkeeper Jayne Merren.
In the 27th minute, Wexford very nearly doubled their advantage. Alyssa White curled her effort from the edge of the box but Mijke Roelfsema made a vital headed intervention to keep it out.
New signing Friesen came close to restoring parity in the 35th minute as she found herself in space in the box after a lofted pass from O’Toole. However, the Canadian could not stretch to get enough contact on the ball as it was smothered by the on-rushing Merren.
Following the break the first chance was not until the 61st minute when Danielle Steer flashed her header well wide. Katie Lawlee was next to have a go when she drove her effort off target following a bursting run in the sixty-seventh minute.
Treaty were handed a lifeline in the 80th minute when Merren fouled Friesen after she parried a shot from distance by Lawlee. Danielle Steer stepped up to take the resulting penalty and made no mistake, rifling her shot to the back of the net.
Lawlee had the chance to win it for the home side in the 88th minute as the young attacker raced through on goal after getting on the end of a long ball from defence. The Ballingarry native unleashed her driven shot but Merren managed to parry it with her knees and away to safety.
On the stroke of the final whistle, Danielle Steer found herself free in the Wexford box but she skied her header over from six yards out before Wexford immediately went up the other end to snatch the game right at the death.
Ellen Molloy found a pocket of space on the edge of the Treat box and unleashed a thunderbolt to the roof of the net beyond the helpless Ulliac in what was essentially the last kick of the game.
Heartbreak for Foley’s side as they now turn their attention to the visit of Ferns United in the FAI Cup First round next weekend. Meanwhile, Wexford will make the trip to the capital to take on Shamrock Rovers.
Treaty United: Anne-Marie Ulliac; Ayaka Ikeza (Aibhlinn Cotter 86), Anna Rockett, Mijke Roelfsema, Erin Van Dolder; Caleigh Boeckx (Cara Griffin 68), Delana Friesen, Kate O'Donovan, Jillian O'Toole, Danielle Steer; Katie Lawlee.
Subs not used: Katie Irwin, Chloe Wallace, Esra Kangal, Laura O'Neill, Kayleigh Shackford, Kate Jones.
Booked: Mijke Roelfsema (51), Delana Friesen (82).
Wexford FC: Jayne Merren; Orlaith Conlon, Della Doherty, Meabh Russell, Abby Tuthill; Aoibheann Clancy, Teegan Lynch (Rianna Jarrett 88), Ellen Molloy, Kylie Murphy (Leah McGrath 59), Alyssa White (Ciara Rossiter 59); Ceola Bergin (Aine Walsh 77).
Subs not used: Maeve Williams, Nicole Nix, Grace Fitzpatrick Ryan, Nicola Sinnott, Millie Daly.
Booked: Ciara Rossiter (90).
Referee: Ian O'Keefe.
Attendance: 192.
