Credit:
Bohemians -v- UCD
- P.J. Murray
- Thu, Sep 09 2010
The students travel to the masters on Friday night as Bohemians look to keep their slim hopes of a league retention alive. (Kick off 7.45pm)
UCD were denied a win at home to lowly Drogheda United last week by virtue of the penalty spot as Bohemians failed to hit the net in a 0-0 draw at Morton Stadium.
Third place Bohemians will be without the services of Anto Murphy and Steven gray who both are still suffering Achilles injuries. Paddy Madden is a doubt for Pat Fenlon, the youngster returns from U-21 international duty and may not be able to overcome the travel fatigue.
The Students begin a three game series against the Top Three in the country and will be looking to get it off to the best possible start as a relelgation playoff spot could still potentially be theres.
Martin Russell will be without midfielder Robert Creevy who was sent off against Drogheda United last week while Chris Mulhall and Brian Shortall are available following suspension. David McMillan is on the way back to full fitness but Sean Harding still has some time to go in rehab. The commanding figure of Andy Boyle is missing and his knee injury is of the kind that needs rest so he may be out for a couple of weeks. Fortunately Michael Leahy proved an excellent deputy against Drogheda.
Bohemians and UCD have faced each other in three league games this season. They played a 0-0 draw in Dalymount Park but Bohemians collected six points in the UCD Bowl with 2-1 and 2-0 wins. UCD have not had a win in eight league games but earlier in the season recorded wins over St Patrick’s Athletic and Sporting Fingal among others.
Speaking about his opponents Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon said “They’re a good footballing side. Martin [Russell] has done a very good job with them. They always give us something to worry about.”
Regarding the scoreless draw last week Fenlon has said: “We’ve been working on finishing this week,” said manager Pat Fenlon. “It can be frustrating to have so much of the ball and not put away the goals. But the encouraging thing is that we are creating the chances. We certainly have the players who can score goals.”
Speaking ahead of the three game series against the best sides in the country Martin Russell remained defiant. “This is what we won promotion for,” he explains, “to take on the best and see how good we can be. Certainly it will be difficult to win points against opposition of this calibre but if we play to our potential, anything is possible.”
Bohemians
Injured: Anto Murphy, Stephen Gray
Doubtful: Paddy Madden
Suspended: None
UCD
Injured: Daid McMillian, Sean Harding, Andy Boyle
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Robert Creevy
Referee: A Buttimer
Extratime.ie Prediction: Bohemians to take all three points 3-1
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night.