Longford Town crash to demoralising defeat against Treaty United

Longford Town . . . 1    Treaty United . . . 4 

Enda Curran scored a hat-trick as Treaty United cruised to a comprehensive victory over rock bottom Longford Town in the SSE Airtricity League First Division game at Bishopsgate on Saturday night last. 

Lee Devitt was also on target for the visitors who are now just three points adrift of the promotion play-off places while Jordan Adeyemo scored the consolation goal for the demoralised home side. 

Tommy Barrett’s men fully deserved the win in stretching their unbeaten streak to five games while Longford are idle next weekend due to the FAI Cup Round 3 fixtures but are back in league action in the bottom of the table clash against Kerry FC at Bishopsgate on Saturday August 24. 

Lethal striker Curran gave Treaty the lead 18 minutes into the contest. The former Longford Town player collected a pass from Mark Byrne and fired home a first-time shot into the back of the net from 20 yards out.

Curran was again to the fore as Treaty doubled their advantage on 23 minutes. The visitors were awarded a penalty when Kyle O’Connor fouled Curran. The latter scored his fourth goal of the season from the resultant spot-kick.

Longford could have scored three minutes later. Mohammed Boudiaf out-manoeuvred Lee Devitt and Steven Healy before shooting wide from 25 yards out.

The home side pulled one back on the half hour mark courtesy of Jordan Adayemo. Treaty goalkeeper Corey Chambers parried Adeyemo’s initial effort but the latter fired home the rebound to make it 2-1.

Treaty threatened again 15 minutes later. Ben O’Riordan connected with Lee J Lynch’s corner but couldn’t direct his glancing header on target.

Curran completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time. He collected Fionn Doherty’s long ball and fired home a first-time shot on the half-volley.

Treaty went 4-1 up 11 minutes into the second half. Lee Devitt connected with Doherty’s left-wing cross and found the net with a cushioned header.

Town then spurned a rare opportunity on 73 minutes. Daniel Norris connected with Francis Campbell’s right-wing cross but couldn’t direct his header on target.

Treaty almost scored again four minutes later. Substitute David Tarmey controlled Stephen Christopher’s cross with his chest but saw his subsequent effort sail narrowly over the crossbar.

Treaty were reduced to ten men two minutes from time. Doherty fouled Francis Campbell 20 yards out and received a second yellow card.

Former Treaty player Dean O’Shea took the resultant free-kick but his effort was easily saved by Chambers. 

Longford almost scored two minutes into stoppage time. O’Shea saw his effort tipped over the crossbar by Chambers as Treaty consolidated their commanding advantage to collect all three vital points. 

Longford Town: Harry Halwax; Shane Elworthy, Carl Lennox (Eric Yoro 62 mins), Dean O’Shea, Kyle O’Connor (Ross Fay 80 mins); Viktor Serdeniuk, Bastien Hery; Francis Campbell, Mohammed Boudiaf (Karl Chambers 62 mins), Adam Wixted (Daniel Norris 62 mins ); Jordan Adeyemo (Chris Lotefa 62 mins). 

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Robbie Lynch, Ben O’Riordan, Evan O’Connor, Fionn Doherty; Steven Healy, Lee Devitt; Thomas Considine (David Tarmey 66 mins), Lee J Lynch (Christoipher Horgan 90 + 1 mins), Stephen Christopher (Jack Kavanagh 90 + 1 mins); Enda Curran (Yoyo Mahdy 66 mins). 

Referee: Adriano Reale.