Finn Harps fall to ninth after home defeat by Treaty United

Finn Harps fell to ninth in the First Division as Dean George’s goal early in the second half saw Treaty United leapfrog Dave Rogers’ side.

Finn Harps 0 Treaty United 1

Sheets of rain lashed down as supporters headed into a gloomy Ballybofey night with George’s netting the only goal of a disappointing outing. The silence at the conclusion spoke volumes. 

Harps had enough chances to bag a point, but defeat leaves them bottom-bar-one in the First Division with only newcomers Kerry FC beneath them in the standings.

The second half was barely ninety seconds old when Treaty broke the deadlock. The Limerick side broke on the counter with Stephen Christopher eating up the ground before feeding wide on the left to George.

The attacker still had plenty work to do to fashion a chance out of the move, but he came into the area before steering past Rory Kelly, the ball squeezing into the bottom corner. Finn Park fell into a stunned silence.

Five minutes later, the lively Sean O’Donnell might have levelled things up, but after turning in behind Ben O’Riordan, Treaty goalkeeper Corey Chambers got down to save.

Adam Lennon arrowed off target after a corner broke into his path in the 55th minute with Treaty probing the possibilities of doubling their advantage.

Caoimhin Porter was inches from drawing Harps level on the hour, but his effort was hacked off the goal-line by Mark Walsh after an initial header by Max Hutchison wasn’t fully cleared. Momentarily, the home support threw eager glances the way of assistant referee David Berry. The wide eyes were hopeful, rather than expectant.

Four nights previously, Rogers blasted a 4-1 defeat to Athlone as unacceptable. In the bowels of the Athlone Town Stadium, an irate Rogers - who saw his team ship four goals in the opening half - had reflected: “That’s the worst performance we’ve had all season since myself and Darren have been here. It’s just not acceptable, and I’ve told the boys that.”

The Scouser rang the changes for the visit of the Shannonsiders.

Kelly was restored in goal in place of Antonio Tuta, while captain Ryan Rainey was restored having sat out Monday’s game with a dead leg and there were also recalls for Caoimhin Porter and O’Donnell.

Injury ruled Jamie Watson and Patrick Ferry out of action with Max Hutchison dropping to the bench.

After George fired tamely wide with a first-timer that was the game’s first shot in anger on 11 minutes, Harps had a big let off eight minutes later.

Christopher spotted the scampering Lennon in acres of space wide on the right. As Lennon charged towards the Town End area, Christopher’s pass had too much punch and the chance was gone by the time the winger got control.

Treaty arrived in the Twin Towns on the back of four successive League defeats, including a 3-0 loss against Galway United on Monday.

Former Derry City forward Enda Curran thumped well wide from distance before visiting ‘keeper Chambers saved bravely at the feet of O’Donnell who had been fed by a BJ Banda ball in from the left.

George, Christopher, Curran and Lennon were promoted to the Treaty starting XI as Tommy Barrett, like Rogers in the opposite dugout, shook things up.

Before many in attendance had settled themselves into their perches for the second half, George put Treaty in front.

As Harps attempted to get back on a level footing, Scott Wara was the next home player denied on the line.

Chambers managed to get enough behind his palms to turn Ryan Flood’s tester from distance over the top as the clock ticked towards the conclusion with the hosts now in a frenetic push.

Harps saw Ellis Farrar return for his first game in six weeks following an injury but, with Treaty content to take the pressure, they couldn’t break the resistance.

Finn Harps: Rory Kelly; Scott Wara, Daithi McCallion, Matthew Makinson (Ellis Farrar 79), Stephen Doherty (Max Hutchison 55); Caoimhin Porter (Aaron McLaughlin 66), Ryan Rainey, Ryan Flood, Tony McNamee; BJ Banda, Sean O’Donnell.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Jordan Tallon (Darren Nwakwo 79), Ben O’Riordan, Mark Walsh, Marc Ludden; Lee Devitt; Adam Lennon (William Arhshaw 79), Conor Barry, Stephen Christopher (Colin Conroy 90), Dean George (Dean O’Shea 71); Enda Curran (Success Edogun 71).

Referee: Daniel Murphy.