TREATY UNITED 2 ATHLONE TOWN 1
A half time lead for Athlone Town was surrendered in Markets Field on Friday night as Treaty United struck twice late on to claim all three points.
Frantz Pierrot had handed the visitors the lead which was still intact as the game headed into the last quarter of an hour, but Treaty drew level with 12 minutes remaining and then completed the comeback moments later to make it three wins in a row.
Athlone had an early opportunity to take the lead when Jamar Campion-Hinds delivered a cross from the right which picked out the unmarked Valerii Dolia. The Town number 10 however blasted the ball over the bar.
The first chance for Tommy Barrett’s men saw Stephen Christopher fire wide. Treaty’s first corner soon followed with Dean George then having a shot saved By Vlad Velikin. Pierrot was also off target for the Town on the quarter hour mark.
Athlone gradually to attain ascendancy as the first half progressed with Patrick Hickey heading wide following a free kick and Haji Abdikadir also firing over the bar. Athlone then deservedly took the lead as Pierrot made it goal number 10 for the season. Dolia played the ball to the Town top scorer on the left edge of the penalty area who then rolled his shot past the home keeper. Athlone could easily have doubled their lead 10 minutes before the break but Pierrot headed wide following a right wing cross from Campion-Hinds.
Treaty were quickly into action in the second half as Colin Conroy fired over and George had a shot saved. The visitors had their first chances of the half just before the hour mark as Dolia drilled a free kick over and Campion-Hinds was also off target. Athlone still held the lead but were lucky to see their advantage survive as Alec Byrne saw his strike hit off the underside of the bar.
Goalkeeper Vlad Velikin was also called upon to tip over a dangerous left wing cross as United searched for an equaliser. Three more corners were earned as Enda Curran was also denied by Velikin who parried his shot. Athlone had a rare opportunity to double their lead on 73 minutes as Pierrot beat the home keeper in the air but then saw his goal bound header cleared behind. It was a crucial intervention as Treaty drew level on 78 minutes when a back pass to Velikin saw Curran close down the clearance and Lee Devitt took advantage to score.
Athlone conceded again on 82 minutes. After losing possession in midfield, Athlone were further punished when Conor Barry’s back heel inside the box gave substitute Marc Ludden the opportunity to shoot to an unguarded net. George had the chance to make it three moments later following another Athlone mistake but fired into the side netting.
The final chance in normal time saw home substitute Willie Armshaw shoot over. Athlone had one final opportunity to salvage a point in the fourth additional minute but Hickey headed wide following a free kick.
