League Report: Treaty United 1-0 Athlone Town

Tom Clancy reports from Market’s Field 

Treaty United returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Athlone Town. The result at the Markets Field sees the Limerick outfit climb to fourth place in the SSE Airtricity League First Division.

Jack Lynch’s first goal of the season proved decisive meaning Tommy Barrett’s side have now collected three wins and a draw from their opening four home games, while Athlone have lost three games in as many outings. 

Captain Lynch, a First Division winner with Waterford, powered the hosts in front on 22 minutes. He raced onto a wonderful reverse pass from Sean McSweeney and powered the ball beyond the experienced Michaél Schlingermann. 

Athlone had first half efforts from James Doona and Stephen Meaney, but neither gave Tadhg Ryan much to worry about. Adrian Carberry’s side lacked the fluidity in attack and appeared out of sorts at times. 

Leading 1-0 at the break, Lynch almost added a second just after the hour mark, but with Schlingermann beaten he was denied by a desperate Athlone block. 

His opposite number, Ryan was at his best in the final quarter, getting his body in the way of an effort from Shane Barnes. Substitute Barnes met a low cross first time but Ryan saved with his body and Treaty scrambled clear. 
That ensured a second clean sheet of the season for Ryan and a third from Treaty, who have settled into life in the First Division with plenty of confidence and quality. 
The opening series of games concludes next week, with Treaty travelling to Cabinteely, while Athlone Town host struggling Cobh Ramblers, hoping to regain some positive momentum. 

Treaty United: Tadhg Ryan; Charlie Fleming, Sean Guerins, Anthony O'Donnell, Marc Ludden; Ed McCarthy (William Armshaw 85), Clyde O'Connell, Jack Lynch (C), Sean McSweeney (Matt McKevitt 79), Keane (Callum McNamara 80); Kieran Hanlon (Joel Coustrain 58).

Subs not Used: Shane Cusack (gk), Joe Collins, Alan Murphy, Shane Lowth.

Booked: Kieran Hanlon (55), Sean McSweeney (63)

Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Tumelo Tlou (Jack Reynolds 80), Kilian Cantwell, Dylan Hand, Derek Daly (David Brookes 63); Adam Wixted, Daniel McKenna, Jamie Hollywood (Brandon McCann 70) Doona; Kurtis Byrne; Stephen Meaney (Shane Barnes 70). 
Subs not Used: Kayelum Rice (gk), Scott Delaney, Jonathan Carlin, Oisin Duffy,Jack Watson
Booked: Daniel McKenna (24), Adam Wixted (52), Dylan Hand (90)

Referee: Alan Patchell.

Extratime.com Player of the Match: Sean McSweeney (Treaty United)