Bohemians -v- UCD

• Sam Griffin
• Wed, May 25 2011


Bohemians and UCD lock horns for the second time this season on Thursday night as the Gypsies host the Students in Dalymount Park (Kick off 7.45). Bohs will be hopeful of mustering up a similar performance to the one which saw them run out comfortable 2-0 winners at the Belfield Bowl on the opening day of the season.

The Phibsborough club have made an unspectacular start to the season and currently sit in 6th position. Interestingly it is at home that they have struggled most this year recording only one win and four losses in Dalymount Park.

However the statistics don’t quite give a fair account of Bohs’ home performances. Indeed in most of their games they have dominated possession for long phases but have failed to create enough clear cut chances, and lacked ruthless finishing up front.

For these reasons, manager Pat Fenlon will welcome back Chris Fagan to his squad. The striker came on a substitute in the Gypsies’ 1-0 defeat to St. Pat’s last Friday. Fagan could well earn his first start since mid-March. Barry Murphy and Glen Cronin are also available for selection, returning after lengthy injury lay-offs. Ger O’ Brien returns from suspension.

It’s not all good news for Bohs, however. Influential midfielder Mark Rossiter is out with a hamstring strain, while club stalwart Ollie Cahill is struggling for match fitness.

Despite this, Fenlon is concentrating on the positives: ““We may be able to adapt the system now we have some players back. Their return gives us different options” he said. “We need to approach the games at a higher tempo, on the front foot, rather than being a bit apprehensive.”

UCD’s problems are not dissimilar from those of Bohemians - primarily a failure to find any consistency in their performances. They come into this one having lost their two previous games. Moreover they have only won two league games in the past two months, and they came against table footers Galway and Drogheda United.

Another unfortunate characteristic of their game this year has been their leaky defence. UCD have conceded 25 goals so far this year. Only Galway and Drogheda have conceded more.

It hasn’t been all doom and gloom in Belfield this season. The wins against Galway and Drogheda show there is plenty of potential in the UCD squad while the 2-1 win over high-flying Sligo Rovers proves this team is capable of mixing it with the best in the league on their day.

On the injury front, Robbie Creevy, Graham Rusk and Cillian Morrison are rated doubtful. Manager Martin Russell will be keen to get Creevy and Rusk in particular back in the starting eleven as soon as possible.

Speaking during the week, Russell was hopeful of getting something from the tie. He said “We will go there and try and take points off a good team. We have a young team that is always learning and we will try to make it difficult for them and look to express ourselves as we can.”

While there can be no doubt the Students will certainly give their utmost, endeavour alone hasn’t been enough for UCD on too many occasions this year. Bohemians will be buoyed by the return of some key individuals to the squad and will hope to kick on as the 2011 season hots up.

Bohemians
Injured: Mark Rossiter (hamstring)
Doubtful: Ollie Cahill
Suspended: None

UCD
Injured: None
Doubtful: Robbie Creevy, Graham Rusk and Cillian Morrison
Suspended: None

Referee: Neil Doyle

Betting odds: Bohemians 4/7 Draw 12/5 UCD 11/2

ExtraTime.ie prediction: A 1-0 win for the hosts.