John Dingle
Athlone Town slumped to their biggest defeat of the season when Treaty United put four past the play-off aspirants at the Markets Field on Friday night last.
It had started well for the visitors when they took the lead but the turning point came when Jack Kavanagh was sent off for a deliberate handball after 19 minutes, Marc Ludden drilling home the resulting penalty kick. Athlone made it to half time still on level terms but the floodgates opened just before the hour mark as Treaty scored three times without reply.
Frantz Pierrot had the opening opportunity when firing wide with the first corner kick soon earned by the Town. Andy Spain needlessly conceded a second corner after 10 minutes and Patrick Hickey headed the ball home from the delivery. Jamar Campion Hinds came close to doubling the lead but fired wide following a counter attack. Pierrot was then forced off with injury which was the start of the Town’s downfall.
Treaty have proved to be a bogey team this season and their luck was about to change. Their first corner saw Kavanagh handle the ball on the line and he was shown a straight red card as Ludden made no mistake with the resulting penalty kick.
The home team then dominated to the break but could not add to their goal tally. An opportunistic strike from Lee Devitt was gathered at the second attempt by Shaun O’Donnell who then saved from Dean George. Success Edogun’s follow up effort was blocked behind. Athlone remarkably had two good chances either side of a home corner to go back in front. Dylan Gavin had a shot saved by Corey Chambers with the Treaty keeper doing even better to also block a Valerii Dolia effort.
Athlone did have the first chance when play resumed as German Rodriguez’s header following a free kick was saved but Treaty were soon on the attack again. George had two attempts to score with another corner keeping up the home pressure.
The visitors were finally undone however on 59 minutes. Noah VanGeenen failed to clear the danger from a left wing cross and Edogun took advantage, the former Athlone striker remaining calm to send his hot to the net. Treaty finally had the lead and a deflated Athlone team offered little resistance thereafter. Edogun had the chance to score again midway through the half but was denied by O’Donnell.
The win was all but sealed on 72 minutes with Treaty’s third goal. Athlone were beaten for pace down their left and substitute Stephen Christopher took advantage of the resulting cross to fire low past the helpless Town keeper.
Athlone tried to respond but two corners was the only time they troubled Treaty before the finish. The last chance of the 90 minutes fell to substitute Dean O’Shea, another former Athlone player in the home ranks, but his free kick was off target.
In the fifth and final minute of additional time, Tommy Barrett’s men completed the rout as George set up Christopher who once more found the net with a low shot.
