UCD -v- Sligo Rovers

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Apr 28 2011


Sligo Rovers will be looking to put last weekend’s reverse at the hands of Bohemians behind them as they travel to Dublin to take on UCD at the Belfield Bowl on Friday night. (Kick off, 7.45pm)

Sligo’s defeat against Bohemians showed us a team that can play superb football when the mood takes them but who are also vulnerable against organised and energetic opponents. So far this term Paul Cook’s men have won four of their eight league games and lost twice. Both defeats came at the Showgrounds against Bohs and Shamrock Rovers while they remain undefeated on the road.

Cook will have a fully fit squad to choose from on Friday night as Mathew Blinkhorn and Raffaele Cretaro are back to full fitness. They also welcome Richie Ryan back from the suspension that kept him out of Monday’s EA Sports Cup victory over Cockhill Celtic.

UCD have had a less impressive start to 2011 than their visitors from the west but recent performances have given Martin Russell’s men some encouragement. Two weeks ago the students ended a run of three consecutive defeats when they held St Patricks Athletic to a draw at Richmond Park. Another defeat at Tallaght Stadium last Friday was not entirely unexpected but there was enough about the student’s play to suggest that they have more to offer than their league position might indicate.

Of course, scoring goals is UCD’s big problem with just four from their opening eight games. But Robbie Benson’s cracker last weekend against Shamrock Rovers will give Russell some hope that the midfielder might help out in that department now that he has recovered from injury.

Young striker Cillian Morrison is definitely out of Friday’s game and Martin Russell has worries over another three of his players, Samir Belhout, Mark Langtry and David O’Connor.

The state of the UCD pitch is a subject that has been much talked about but with the visit of Sligo it will be hosting two teams that depend on a decent surface for their brand of passing football to be effective. Unless there has been a dramatic improvement in the surface over the past few weeks it could ruin what should be a good game. But it might also narrow the gap between two sides battling at opposite ends of the table.

UCD
Injured: Cillian Morrison (ankle).
Doubtful: Samir Belhout, Mark Langtry, David O’Connor.
Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Graham Kelly.
Paddy Power Odds: UCD 4/1; Draw 5/2; Sligo 4/6.
Extratime prediction: A 1-0 win for UCD.