No joy for Longford Town as Treaty United snatch all three points

Treaty United . . . 1    Longford Town . . . 0 

Longford Town are still stuck at the bottom of the First Division table after suffering the misfortune of losing to Treaty United in a tight contest at the Markets Field on Friday night.

Wayne Groves, who was appointed the permanent manager earlier in the week, has certainly improved the bleak situation since he took charge on an interim basis in the 2-2 draw away against Wexford on April 16 and Longford will feel that they should have earned at least a draw in Limerick.

The game was heading for stalemate until Mark Byrne struck to score the winning goal for Treaty in the 81st minute and the Town will be hoping for better luck back on the road again on the Bank Holiday Monday when they face Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park, kick-off 3pm.  

It wasn’t until the 12th minute that the game had its first shot, albeit a tame effort from Longford attacker Francis Campbell.

Ten minutes later Treaty had their first sniff at goal as Lee Devitt’s free-kick was flicked narrowly behind for a corner by Town defender Shane Elworthy.

Longford were dealt a blow when Luke Wade Slater was forced to retire injured with 28 minutes gone on the clock and he was replaced by local lad Emmanuel James. 

A glorious chance then fell to Treaty's Mark Byrne in the 37th minute following a lofted pass from Devitt. 

Byrne found himself clear through on goal but he drove his shot over the bar from just inside the box.

On the stroke of half-time, Byrne again found himself on the end of a Devitt cross but this time his effort was well saved by former Treaty keeper Jack Brady.

Karl Chambers then drove an effort from distance shortly after the restart but it never troubled Treaty's Chambers in the home side's goal.

In the 61st minute, a loud round of applause sounded around the Markets Field as experienced striker Enda Curran made his long-awaited return from injury.

Just moments later a Mark Byrne cross almost found its way into the Longford net but neither Curran nor Evan O’Connor could direct their follow-up efforts goalward.

Down the other end, Campbell’s driving run ended with his effort sailing harmlessly over the crossbar.

In the 74th minute,  Longford were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the Treaty penalty area but Conor Crowley’s low shot was well saved by Chambers.

From the counter-attack, Byrnes’ goal-bound effort was well blocked before Willie Armshaw’s follow-up attempt was driven well over the bar. 

Four minutes later, Mo Boudiaf forced a diving save from Chambers from his shot from distance.

Then in the 81st minute, Mark Byrne scored the decisive only goal. Jack Brady failed to claim the in-swinging corner and Byrne was alive to pounce on the loose ball and drive the ball into the net as the home side snatched all  three precious points.  

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Ben O’Riordan, Colin Conroy, Robbie Lynch (Enda Curran 61), Evan O’Connor, William Armshaw (Adam O’Halloran 79), Lee Devitt, Alec Byrne (Leon Kirrane 61), Mark Byrne, Stephen Christopher, Fionn Doherty (Scott Kirkland 55).

Longford Town: Jack Brady, Jordan Tallon, Dean O’Shea, Kyle O’Connor, Shane Elworthy, Mo Boudiaf, Conor Crowley, Francis Campbell, Luke Wade Slater (Emmanuel James 28), Jordan Adeyemo, Karl Chambers (Guilherme Priosti 84).

Referee: Lucas Keating.