Joseph Hanson the hero as Treaty United take lead over Cobh Ramblers in play-off semi-finals
Treaty United 1 Cobh Ramblers 0
Joe Hanson of Treaty United celebrates after the SSE Airtricity First Division play-off semi-final first leg win over Cobh Ramblers at Markets Field in Limerick. Photo: John Sheridan/Sportsfile
Treaty United have taken a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead over Cobh Ramblers in their play-off semi-final following the tightest of victories for Tommy Barrett’s side at the Markets Field.
Joseph Hanson got the game’s only goal in the 77th minute after guiding in a Mark Cross at the far post.
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday night under the lights at St Colman’s Park, with Cobh aiming to reach the promotion play-off final for the second time in three seasons.
The Ramblers went into the game reeling from the departure of manager Mick McDermott earlier in the week and they struggled early on to match the intensity of the home side.
Treaty thrived under the lights, with a number of early chances falling to Lee Lynch. Cian Bargary went the closest to scoring for Cobh with a curling effort midway through the second half that hit the underside of the crossbar.
Everything seemed to fall easier for the Shannonsiders by comparison, even a Lee Devitt shot on the hour mark that was scrambled away by a flurry of claret and blue jerseys.
It was a tense game all round with only small moments, until Hanson turned in a cross from the left.
The Ramblers poured forward in search of an equaliser, with Matthew Whelan brought on to give numbers into their forward line.
It wasn’t to be as Treaty United held out to get the first leg victory on home soil.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Richkov Boevi, Benjamin Lynch, Eoin Martin, Evan O’Connor, Karl O’Sullivan, Mark Byrne, Colin Conroy, Lee Devitt, Lee Lynch (Ben Lee), Patrick Ferry (Joseph Hanson 60).
Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Iestyn Hughes, Cian Coleman, Jonas Hakkinen, Shane Griffin, Niall O’Keeffe, Rhys Gourdie (Matthew Whelan 83), Cian Bargary, Barry Coffey, Dylan McGlade (Samuel Bellis 72), Cian Murphy.
Referee: O Moran.
