Late McNamee winner means a Good Friday for Finn Harps at Treaty

A captain's goal by Tony McNamee was enough for Finn Harps to end Treaty United’s unbeaten start to the SSE Airtricity League First Division  in front of a crowd of 1,712 in the Markets Field.

The sides went into the game level on points having played a handful of matches with just one goal separating them on scoring difference.

Although the Ballybofey side held the bulk of possession in the opening quarter, the first chance of the night broke to the home side after a hoofed ball from Scott Kirkland found the run of Thomas Considine whose shot was straight at Tim Heimer in the 'Harps goal.

Harps continued to dominate the opening 30 minutes keeping Treaty hemmed into their half. A half chance fell to David Cawley and Patrick Ferry, but both fizzed their efforts over the crossbar.

A glorious chance then fell to Noe Baba, but he blazed his shot over from ten yards out, followed by Ferry’s powerful header that was gathered at the second attempt by Chambers in the Treaty United goal.

Harps then had the ball in the Treaty net as Ferry rebounded Success Edogun’s parried shot from close range. However, the flag went up for offside.

That seemed to shake the home side as they began to get a foothold in the game, but seemed most threatening from set-pieces. Mark Walsh drove his long-range effort over the bar before a Curran free kick caused chaos in the Harps box. 

That was followed up minutes later by a Walsh header that was cleared off the line, before Hiemer was forced to make a fingertip save to keep the sides level at the interval.

The home side began the second half in a similar vein as a perfectly-weighted pass by Mahdy was met by Christopher. However, his shot was well saved by the on-rushing Hiemer in the Harps goal.

Harps then had a couple of gilt edge opportunities to open the scoring. A marauding Edogun squared a drilled cross to Doherty on the counterattack. However, he scuffed the ball wide from what was a terrific goal-scoring opportunity. Moments later, the unmarked Edogun drove his close-range shot over the bar and into the visiting supporters. 

Treaty played themselves into trouble on a number of occasions, attempting to pass out from the back with keeper Chambers being forced to make several good saves to keep the game scoreless.

Eventually, the visitors broke the deadlock in 79th minute as a loose ball broke to captain Tony McNamee and he swept a low shot into the bottom corner for the decisive goal of the game.

Finn Harps make the long journey back home full value for their victory as Treaty will be forced to try and bounce back in an away fixture against Athlone Town on Easter Monday.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Ben O’Riordan, Oisin O’Reilly, Yoyo Mahdy (William Armshaw 66 ), Thomas Considine (Shane Costelloe 90), Stephen Christopher (Mark Byrne 76), Scott Kirkland (Alec Byrne 66), Enda Curran, Evan O’Connor, Mark Walsh, Robbie Lynch.

Finn Harps: Tim Heimer, Jamie Watson, Conor Tourish, Matthew Makinson, Noe Baba, Patrick Ferry (Chris Lotefa 77 ), Success Edogun (Max Johnston 90), Shane McMonagle, Stephen Doherty (Ryan Rainey 80 ), David Cawley, Tony McNamee.

Referee: Alan Patchell (Dublin)