Credit: Laszlo Geczo (ETPhotos)
League Preview: UCD -v- Longford Town
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Jul 07 2017
UCD
UCD welcome Longford Town to the UCD Bowl on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) knowing that a victory is essential if they're to keep the pressure on table-toppers Waterford.
The Students were left frustrated after missing a chance to move within two points of the Blues after they were held to a scoreless draw in Wexford while Waterford drew at Shelbourne.
The result meant UCD slipped back into third place behind Cobh Ramblers, and manager Collie O'Neill knows they won't get too many more opportunities to bridge the gap.
“Last week proved a frustrating night at the office for us,” O'Neill told the club's media team.
“I can’t fault the performance too much, we had plenty of the ball and created a lot of good chances however our finishing let us down, and quite simply wasn’t good enough.
“In fairness to Wexford they worked really hard and defended well at times but we missed a great opportunity to close the gap on Waterford.
“We know we are going to have to have a big improvement, particularly in our finishing if we are going to give ourselves a chance of picking up the result we need.”
The injuries continue to mount for O'Neill, who's been missing his captain and namesake Gary for the last weeks and now has to do without Simon Power and Gareth Coughlan.
Midfielder Greg Sloggett will face a late fitness test on an ankle injury.
LONGFORD TOWN
Longford Town are now unbeaten in five games following last week's 1-0 win over Cabinteely, results amazingly achieved with three different managers.
New boss Neale Fenn got off to the ideal start as Town boss as Daniel O'Reilly netted five minutes from time as Longford climbed back above Shelbourne into fourth place.
He faces a much tougher proposition in his first away game, as demonstrated by the fact that despite being separated by just a point, UCD sit eight points ahead of them.
Longford Town haven't supplied any team news.
Referee: Sean Grant.
MATCH STATS
The sides have met twice so far this season with the Students coming out on top on both occasions.
Had the two meetings between the sides turned out in Longford's favour, just two points would separate the sides in third and fourth.
BETTING
UCD 11/10; Draw 5/2; Longford Town 23/10.
PREDICTION
UCD 1 – 0 Longford Town
UCD
Injured: Gareth Coughlan, Gary O'Neill, Simon Power.
Doubtful: Greg Sloggett (ankle).
Suspended: None.
Longford Town
Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Unknown.
Suspended: None.
