League Preview: UCD -v- Treaty United

UCD

Two teams who are both unbeaten after six rounds of games in the SSE Airtricity League First Division come together on Friday night when UCD host newcomers Treaty Utd in what should be a highly competitive match at the Belfield Bowl (kick-off 7.45pm).

The students were not tipped to be among the promotion contenders when the experts made their predictions before the season commenced but they have surprised everybody, but perhaps not themselves, by being unbeaten so far.

The Students have the highest goals for tally at 18 goals and they occupy second place in the table, on 12 points, one behind league leaders Athlone Town.

The students have drawn three and won three games so far, with their goals for tally boosted by last weekend’s six goal haul against bottom of the table Wexford in a bizarre match which saw their opponents goalkeeper and replacement goalkeeper both sent to the line.

In the very one-sided affair in Ferrycarrig Park, Adam Lennon opened the scoring after only 4 mins shortly after Wexford keeper Jimmy Corcoran had been sent off to be replaced by sub keeper Sean Martin.

In a ten minute spell just before half time the game was effectively over, Colm Whelan with a penalty and goals from Mark Dignam and Liam Kerrigan made it 4-0 at the break.

Whelan added two more goals after the break to finish the scoring, and his three-goal tally means he is now the leading scorer in the First Division on eight goals, five goals ahead of his nearest rivals.

As well as scoring goals, Andy Myler’s side also have an excellent defensive record, conceding only five goals all season, a record they share with their opponents this weekend, Treaty Utd.

TREATY UNITED

The newcomers from Limerick have been the surprise packet of the 2021 season, they are unbeaten in six games, have only conceded five goals and are in 4th position in the table on 10 points, only 3 points off the leaders Athlone Town.

As well as their great defensive record, what is most impressive about the side is their spread of scorers, their seven goals so far having come from six different players.

Tommy Barrett’s side showed they mean business this season when they scored a 97th minute equaliser to secure a 2-2 against Shelbourne in Tolka Park last weekend.

They led for most of the that match through a 37th minute goal from Kieran Hanlon only to see the win almost stolen from their grasp with two late Shelbourne goals in the 90th and 95th minutes.

They showed their resilience however in the two minutes of remaining time when Mark Ludden’s superb delivery from a 97th minute corner found Clyde O Connell who levelled the game in the most dramatic of circumstances.

This draw against 2nd placed Shelbourne coupled with the previous weekend’s 2-1 victory over 2020 Premier Division side Cork City means that the Limerick team will head for the capital full of confidence and will be looking to, at a minimum, maintain their unbeaten record against the students.

Referee: David Keeler

MATCH STATS

This is the first game between these two sides as this is Treaty United’s first season in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland.

UCD’s Colm Whelan currently tops the goal scoring chart in the First Division with eight goals, five better than his nearest rivals.

Both sides are unbeaten so far this season.

BETTING

UCD 13/20; Draw 13/5; Treaty United 7/2.

PREDICTION

UCD 2–1 Treaty United

UCD

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Treaty United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Mark Walsh.

Suspended: Anthony O’Donnell