League Report: UCD 1 - 0 Longford Town

Andrew Dempsey reports from the UCD Bowl

UCD stretched their unbeaten run to nine league games as they ran out 1-0 winners over Longford Town at the UCD Bowl. 

Jake Doyle’s first-half strike proved to be the difference between the two teams as he pounced on a defensive mistake from the visitors. 

Winless since September, Longford Town interim boss Wayne Groves made four changes from his side’s most recent loss at home to Wexford last weekend. 

Viktor Serdeniuk, Conor Crowley, Bastien Hery and Adam Wixted all came in for Sami Clarke, Dean O'Shea, Jordan Tallon and Mohamed Boudiaf. 

Meanwhile, UCD made just one swap from their win over Treaty United with Luke O’Regan starting in place of Alex Dunne. 

And it was the Students who started the game the better of the two at the Belfield venue. 

Hugh Parker and Mikey McCullagh forced the visitors into some early blocks to keep the game scoreless. 

Adam Wells also tried his luck on goal from distance but he dragged his effort wide of goal after some good play involving Sean Brennan and McCullagh. 

But UCD did not have to wait too long to take the lead as Jake Doyle broke the deadlock just past the half hour mark. 

Ireland under-19 international Luke O’Regan played in a cross that was not cleared by makeshift defender Viktor Serdeniuk - and Doyle pounced to slot home past Jack Brady with a calm and collected finish. 

Serdeniuk was perhaps unfortunate to find himself in the awkward position as he found himself marking three UCD players at once. 

Longford’s task got even tougher just moments later as winger Wixted was forced off with a suspected arm injury - with Mo Boudiaf coming on in his place. 

The Students ought to have doubled their lead on a number of occasions before the break - with Doyle having their best chance. 

The Red and Black once again failed to clear a set-piece and the ball fell kindly to the unmarked Doyle but he blazed over the bar from close range. 

But Doyle almost made amends for his miss soon after as he played in a great ball to Hugh Parker who raced in on goal with Brady to beat. 

The Longford keeper, however, stood tall and denied the Ireland schools international. 

It was a tough opening half for the visitors but they did at least create an opening during UCD’s dominant spell at the end of the half - but Francis Campbell saw his effort saved well by Kian Moore. 

The game threatened to boil over as the referee blew for the half-time whistle, with Kyle O’Connor and McCullagh squaring up to one another. 

But referee Aaron O’Dowd calmed things down before they left the pitch as he brandished both players with a booking each. Although, that was as heated as the game got. 

UCD picked up on where they left off before the break and went close through a Doyle header from a Brennan cross - but it dropped wide of Brady’s goal. 

The lively forward then had a great chance just before the hour mark but he leaned back too much as he lifted the ball over the bar. 

Longford grew into the game as the second half wore on, although UCD’s sloppy play encouraged them. Boudiaf and Conor Crowley both threatened from distance - but neither could especially threaten. 

The closest Longford came to an equaliser was before that, but Jordan Adeyemo was off balance and shot wide just before the hour. 

While Groves’ side enjoyed lots of territory, they were unable to find that killer pass to unlock the UCD defence - and they could have coughed up a second with just over 15 minutes to play. 

Sub Ciaran Behan headed over from close range for the hosts after a McCullagh cross but it mattered very little in the end as UCD held on. 

Winless in 19 games, Longford will be desperately seeking a win on Monday at home to Kerry, while UCD will be looking to close the gap on leaders Cork City when they host Cobh Ramblers on the same day.

But if Longford turn in a similar performance to this one against the Students, a first win of the season is not far away.

UCD:Kian Moore; Éanna Clancy, Niall Holohan, Luke O'Regan, Adam Wells; Seán Brennan, Donal Higgins, Mikey McCullagh; Jake Doyle, Hugh Parker, Michael Raggett (Ciaran Behan 61).

Subs not used:Dara Kavanagh, Adam Verdon, Harry Curtis, Colin Bolton, Adam Brennan, Stephen Mohan, Sam Norval, Danú Kinsella-Bishop.

Booked:Mikey McCullagh (45), Seán Brennan (78).

Longford Town:Jack Brady; Shane Elworthy, Kyle O'Connor, Viktor Serdeniuk, Luke Wade Slater; Conor Crowley, Ross Fay (Emmanuel James 83), Bastien Héry (Samuel Clarke 73), Adam Wixted (Mohamed Boudiaf 37); Jordan Adeyemo, Francis Campbell (Callum Bonner 83).

Subs not used:Jack McCarthy, Ryan Boyle, Guilherme Rego Priosti, Vasyl Tropanets.

Booked:Kyle O'Connor (45), Bastien Héry (72), Ross Fay (82), Francis Campbell (82), Emmanuel James (90).

Referee:Aaron O’Dowd.

Attendance:252.

extratime.com Player of the Match: Luke O’Regan (UCD).