Galway United laid down another marker ahead of tomorrow night’s top-of-the-table clash against Waterford in the RSC with an impressive win against Treaty United on Monday night.
Having been held in Finn Park to a frustrating 2-2 draw the previous Friday, United returned to form with a dominant attacking display in front of their home crowd with a 3-0 victory.
It was an open and exciting contest in Eamonn Deacy Park with John Caulfield replacing the suspended Vincent Borden with Wassim Auoachria and employing an attacking 4-4-2 formation.
The dividends came early as United were ahead after eight minutes. From a quick throw-in from Ed McCarthy, Auoachria, who turned in a very impressive performance, got in the way of Darren Nwankwo’s attempted clearance and Mark Houlihan had no choice but to point to the spot.
Although Treaty keeper Corey Chambers kept out the first spot kick with a great dive low to his left, he was adjudged to have come off his line. Then David Hurley went the opposite way with the retake to give his side a valuable early advantage.
Despite their lowly league position and having made five changes prior to this game, Treaty had moments of real danger on the break. Lee Devitt hit the post with a trickling effort that Brendan Clarke had thought was going wide. Outside of this error, the United stopper was outstanding. He denied Success Edogun from the rebound and had already thwarted his earlier effort when the striker had found himself through on goal after a rare Killian Brouder lapse.
After these scares, United turned in a memorable first half-performance. They created plenty with Ronan Manning to the fore, but McCarthy, Auoachria and Stephen Walsh could not convert the good chances that fell their way.
The second goal eventually arrived after the ball fell to McCarthy at the edge of the box. He feinted a shot, but instead dinked through to Walsh, who laid it off to Auoachria, and he deftly finished for a deserved goal in the 40th minute.
Hurley hammered a free on target just after before Chambers made another good save. But at the other end, Clarke pulled off a top-class double save from Conor Barry on the stroke of half-time after another Treaty raid forward.
The pattern continued after the break when Chambers denied Auoachria and Manning in the opening five minutes. The pace dipped thereafter, but Galway retained control, aided by the energy of sub Aodh Dervin. Auoachria, Manning and Hurley almost combined brilliantly in the 66th minute, but Mark Walsh snuffed out the danger for the away team.
Treaty continued to ask questions going forward and would have felt unfortunate not to have won a penalty. United, though, were in uncompromising form, and sub Rob Manley sealed the three points just 60 seconds after his introduction. He tucked away a rebound after Francely Lomboto had his shot parried by Chambers.
As a result of this win, United travel to Waterford in rude health. The performances of Oisín O’Reilly, as well as Auoachria and Dervin, means there are positive selection headaches to be solved. A strong travelling support will be eager for any type of positive result to solidify United’s commanding position with games running out for the chasers.
•Galway United Friends Co-op is running a bus to Friday's first division match in Waterford, departing The Connacht Hotel, Galway at 3pm and picking up at The Maldron Hotel, Oranmore. To book a seat contactStephen Connolly (085 ) 2206645.
Galway United: Clarke; Horgan, Nugent (Manley 81 ), Brouder, O’ Reilly (Donelon 69 ); McCarthy, McCormack (Dervin 45 ), Hurley, Manning (Lomboto 69 ); Auoachria (Slevin 77 ) Walsh.
Treaty United: Winn; Tallon, O’ Riordan (George 45 ), Guerins (Lennon 84 ), Nwankwo, Ludden; Barry (Armshaw 84 ), Kirkland (Conroy 56 ), Walsh, Devitt; Edogun (Curran 56 ).
Referee: M Houlihan
