League Preview: UCD -v- Bray Wanderers

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, May 29 2014




UCD

UCD host Bray Wanderers on Friday night hoping to bounce back from last week’s disappointing result at the hands of Athlone Town where The Students were beaten 2-0, becoming the first team to suffer defeat at the hands of Athlone this campaign.

 

This season’s table is one of the tightest in recent memory with UCD currently sitting in 11th having the ability to move themselves up to 6th with a victory over The Seagulls.

 

Naturally Aaron Callaghan is hoping that his young side do not dwell on last week’s disappointment.

 

"Last week, in the first half especially we played some good football and created some good opportunities. Unfortunately we weren’t able to take them and their keeper made some brilliant saves."

 

"If we are to win on Friday we will need to be more clinical in front of goal. However our performances have been good and we have been creating some good chances and if we continue to do that on Friday we will have a great chance of getting back to winning ways."

 

The Students have a number of injury concerns in the build up to this game with Thomas Boyle and Cillian Morrison both set for late fitness tests although the club have stated that they are quietly confident of the pair making the game. However Dean Clarke and Ayman Ben Mohammad are both set to once again occupy seats in the stands as they continue to undergo their long roads back from injury.

 

The only other absentee for the College will be Colm Crowe who is unavailable due to international duty.

 

BRAY WANDERERS

Alan Mathews takes his Seagulls to Belfield on the back of some mixed results in recent weeks that has caused many people to question if Wicklow's League of Ireland Club are slightly overachieving this season.

 

Defeats to Cork and Sligo have meant that the Seagulls will be hoping that they can avoid the dreaded three defeats in a row record.

 

“Over the last few weeks our performances have not got the points we deserved and we are hoping to rectify that as we move forward,” explained manager Mathews.

 

Mathews will be without a number of first team players for this clash. Shane O'Connor is back in contention but Adam Mitchell, Dave Scully and Shane O'Neill are all ruled out through suspension. Gary Curran joins the trio behind the dugout as he has a groin injury.

 

O'Connor who is only back from a nine game injury lay off will be joined by the returning Rob Maloney and Eric McGill in hoping to make it onto the team sheet.

 

Referee: Rob Rogers

 

MATCH FACTS

The last scoreless draw between these sides was in January 2003 when both sides were battling it out in the First Division.

 

4 is the average amount of goals scored between these sides when you review the score lines from the past 16 games.

 

When these sides last met it was UCD that came out with a 5-3 victory.

 

BETTING

UCD 8/5 Draw 11/5 Bray Wanderers 8/5

 

PREDICTION

UCD 4-2 Bray Wanderers

 

UCD

Injured: Aymen Ben Mohammed (Knee), Dean Clarke (Back)

Doubtful: Thomas Boyle, Cillian Morrison

Suspended: None

International Duty: Colm Crowe (Republic Of Ireland U19s)

 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Gary Curran (groin)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Shane O'Neill, Dave Scully, Adam Mitchell