League Preview: Shelbourne -v- UCD

• Macdara Ferris
• Thu, Apr 07 2016




SHELBOURNE

Last time out at Tolka Park Shelbourne earned their first league win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Drogheda United. They will be looking for inspiration from that victory and putting their last league outing to the back of their mind when the Reds take on UCD at home on Friday evening (kick off 7.45pm).

 

Last Saturday evening Shels were routed 5-1 away from home by a rampant Limerick side who after five games are already an 11 points clear of the Reds, who sit fifth in the First Division table. Shels do have a game in hand and they will play that re-fixed match away to Athlone Town next Monday, hoping the floodlights don’t fail this time around.

 

The Shelbourne boss Kevin Doherty was reasonably happy with some elements of his team’s performance in Market’s Field last weekend but felt his side were let down by errors that Limerick were able to easily exploit.

 

“We lost 5-1 and people might think we stood off them but we didn't,” said Doherty. “In the first half, they had so much of the ball and we couldn't get it off them.

 

“At half time we were 1-0 down and the game plan was to stay in the game and have a go then. We changed it a little bit at half-time. We brought Cian Kavanagh on as an extra man in the middle and pushed Carl [Walshe] up front. It changed the game.

 

“Gavin Boyne scored on the hour to make it 1-1. We then had a couple of chances and were disappointed when they weren’t taken. Most disappointing though were the poor individual mistakes that led to goals being given away. If you let Limerick go 2-1 up, they just blitz you.”

 

Other than defender Aidan Collins, Doherty does at least have a full squad to choose from on Friday. His team have been involved in games with lots of goals in the last three matches – 14 in total – but the Shelbourne manager reckons the game against UCD will not be so free scoring.

 

“We scored eight goals in the last two home games – 5-0 against Cabinteely in the League Cup and 3-0 against Drogheda in the league. I think it'll be a bit tighter on Friday. UCD are a really good side and were probably the best team in the league last season.

 

“I went and watched them against Athlone last Friday and it was fairly tight but I got a bit out of it. It'll be a tough game – it always is against UCD – but hopefully we'll be able to kick on”
 

 

UCD

The Students sit third in the early season SSE Airtricity League First Division table but, with second placed Drogheda facing league leaders Limerick also on Friday, Collie O’Neill’s men could go second with a result in Tolka Park.

 

UCD missed out on the win last week when they could only draw 1-1 with bottom side Athlone Town at the UCD Bowl. Gary O’Neill had given UCD an early lead before Athlone’s David Cassidy equalised in the 24th minute for the final goal of the game.

 

“We are gradually improving with each week that goes by,” said O’Neill speaking ahead of the trip to Tolka Park. However, we are going to have to be at our best against Shelbourne if we are to have a chance as they will be looking to start moving up the table themselves.”

 

There are only three points between the two teams (and just four points between second and second last in the First Division table) so this is an important early season test for both sides. O’Neill will be without Jason Byrne, Samir Belhout and Ryan McLaughlin due to injuries but good discipline means UCD do not lose anyone to suspension.

 

Referee: Robert Hennessy.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Shels have had the upper hand between the sides in the league in the last decade with nine wins to UCD’s seven. The other two league encounters ended in draws. UCD’s recent record in Tolka Park is actually better than Shelbourne’s. The Students earned five of their seven wins away from home whereas Shels have beaten UCD in Tolka Park just three times in the last 10 years.

 

It was honours even overall in the league last season when the sides met. Shels book ended their 2015 season with wins in Belfield in March and Tolka Park in August. In between, UCD won the matches played in May and June.

 

Joint top scorers for the Reds with three goals each are Sodiq Oguntola and Gavin Boyne. Oguntola scored twice in the EA Sports Cup with Boyne netting once as well in that competition. Georgie Kelly is the top scorer for the Students with four goals in all competitions.

 

 

BETTING

Shelbourne 6/4; Draw 9/4; UCD 13/8.

 

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1-1 UCD

 

 

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Aidan Collins (shoulder).

Suspended: None.

 

UCD AFC

Injured: Jason Byrne (calf), Samir Belhout (knee), Ryan McLaughlin (hamstring), Cathal Brady (ribs).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.