League Preview: Athlone Town -v- UCD

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, May 22 2014




ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone will be hoping to pick up some points against a UCD side who are in the bottom half of the league but have moved out of the relegation play off places. Keith Longs men welcome Aarron Callaghan's charges to Athlone Town Stadium for a 7.45pm kick off.

 

Since Long took over from Mick Cooke Athlone have begun to look like a side that is heading in the right direction despite a 2-0 set back against Sligo Rovers on Tuesday night.

 

Athlone have created many chances this season and the same was the case when they took on The Students in the first round of games this season but heroics from goalkeeper Conor O'Donnell meant Athlone went down by two goals to one in the Belfield Bowl.

 

Manager Long has no suspension concerns and with just Aidan Collins missing through injury he will be able to choose from an almost fully fit squad.

 

UCD

The College make the trip to the midlands in confident mood having secured an unlikely point last time out against League Champions St Patrick’s Athletic.

 

Speaking about that great team outing last Friday Aaron Callaghan was delighted about how his side was progressing over the season.

 

"Last week was obviously a very good defensive performance. Over the last few weeks since the Dundalk and Sligo games we have tightened up at the back, and this has given us a great ground to push on and pick up some good results.”

 

Unlike his counterpart in Keith Long, Aaron Callaghan does have a real injury crises developing in Belfield. Key players Aymen Ben Mohammed and Dean Clarke continue to be ruled out until after the mid season break with knee and back injuries respectively which they suffered over a month.

 

In fresh news Cillian Morrison and Thomas Boyle both face a race against time including a late fitness test in order to try and make the crucial clash.

 

Whilst clearly frustrated by this the clubs manager, in his first season in charge, is remaining upbeat.

 

“Obviously it would be nice to have a full squad to pick from, however in football that is rarely the case. We have a great squad here, and the players who have come in have done brilliantly. I thought Tom O’Halloran and Samir Belhout did very well and looked a constant threat going forward, while our back four played extremely well despite missing the experience of Ian Ryan and Tomas Boyle.”

 

Referee: Ray Matthews

 

 

MATCH FACTS

UCD have averaged 2.07 goals a game in their previous 14 encounters with Athlone whilst they have conceded just 0.93 over that period.

 

Athlone Town will be looking for just their fourth ever win against The Students.

 

The College are unbeaten in four games with their last defeat coming over a month ago against Cork City where they went down by just a solitary goal.

 

 

BETTING

Athlone Town 2/1 Draw 11/5 UCD 13/10

 

PREDICTION

Athlone 1-3 UCD

 

Athlone Town

Injured: Aidan Collins (shoulder)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None

 

UCD

Injured: Aymen Ben Mohammed (knee), Dean Clarke (back)
Doubtful: Cillian Morrison, Thomas Boyle
Suspended: None