League Preview: UCD AFC -v- Shamrock Rovers II

UCD AFC

It hasn’t been the best of starts – or even restarts – to the season for Andy Myler’s men. They have just the one win from their four league games played in 2020. They claimed a scoreless draw at home last week to Longford Town on the resumption of the league following the COVID-19 shutdown.

Depending on how results go on Friday, a win for the Students could propel them up to second spot in the table.

Both sides playing at the Bowl on Friday are known for having a youthful team and for playing good football.

There will be just 200 people allowed into the Bowl for this First Division behind-closed-door fixture – that includes players, staff and officials of both clubs along with all match day staff

With the government decision this week, it will a similar setup for the remaining matches in August at least.   

SHAMROCK ROVERS II 

The Hoops First Division team came within eight minutes of claiming their first win of the season last week but contrived, having led 2-0 against a Drogheda United playing with ten men for over an hour, to only come away with a point.

“They were more points dropped that we feel we didn’t want to,” said Price when speaking to extratime.com after the draw with Drogheda last Sunday. “As the season goes on hopefully they will learn from that and they will learn to manage games a little bit better. We need to concentrate.

“They are disappointed dropping points but I’m sure they are glad going home stiff and sore which is a  nice feeling after a game of football,” said Price reflecting on the long break between competitive games.

“We will reset, touch on some things we could do a bit better and prepare for UCD on Friday.”

The Hoops have signed Aaron Bolger on loan from Cardiff City. The player, who was previously with Rovers’ first team, was born in 2000 and so is also available to be part of the Rovers First Division squad – the cut off year of birth for qualification is 1999. Price can call up one overage player and a goalkeeper from the Rovers first team squad.

Referee: Mark Moynihan

MATCH STATS

Both managers – Andy Myler and Aidan Price - were part of the Shamrock Rovers first team squad that won the 2006 First Division. Price was the captain of that team.

This is the first time these clubs have played against each other in the First Division. The Hoops had a B team in the 2014 second tier but UCD were playing in the Premier Division that year.

Liam Scales (5), Dean Williams (3), Thomas Oluwa (1) and Brandon Kavanagh (1) have also made appearances with Stephen Bradley’s Rovers first team this season. Scales is the only overage outfield player that has played so far this season for Price’s team.

PREDICTION
1-1  

UCD AFC

Injured: Unknown

Suspended: None

Shamrock Rovers II

Injured: Unknown

Suspended: None

Price takes positives from draw on return of Rovers' First Division team https://t.co/KPmC3ofd15pic.twitter.com/AqrnWPoynD

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) August 3, 2020