League Preview: Shelbourne -v- UCD

• Fran Reilly
• Fri, May 01 2015




 

SHELBOURNE

After enjoying a solid start to the season with two wins and a draw from their opening three First Division games, Shelbourne have earned just one point from their last five league outings – their last victory coming against Cabinteely at Stradbrook in March courtesy of a Philly Hughes penalty.

 

With the first series of fixtures completed, the strength of the other sides chasing promotion has been revealed, with Finn Harps proving to be the surprise package of the season so far – the Ballybofey side sit five points clear of second placed Wexford Youths at the top of the table after eight games. Shels, meanwhile, are currently closer to the bottom of the table than the top, sitting in fifth place with eight points.

 

Given the expectation is promotion at Tolka Park, Reds boss Kevin Doherty will be feeling the pressure to turn things around as soon as possible – and their next game against UCD provides ample opportunity, given the Students are just one place and three points above them.

 

One of Shels' two league wins came against UCD at Belfield earlier in the campaign, a Sean Heaney header proving the difference in a 1-0 win. Still, a major problem that needs rectifying for Shels is a lack of goals – the Reds have scored just seven in their eight league games so far, whereas the four teams above them, all promotion rivals, have hit double-digits already in the same period.

"It was a very tough game when we played them [UCD] early in the season,” Doherty told shelbournefc.ie. “They have had a number of good results lately. No doubt we can expect them to come to Tolka and play their usual passing game and I expect that there won't be much between us at the final whistle.”

 

Doherty's luck has changed on the injury front at least, with long-term absentee Simon Dixon the only player set to miss the visit of the Students.

 

UCD

Collie O'Neill's side travel to Tolka Park on the back of a missed opportunity in last week's 1-1 draw with Cobh Ramblers at the UCD Bowl. The Students dominated for much of the game but failed to take their numerous chances, allowing Stephen Henderson's side to nick a point thanks to a Stephen Kenny penalty.

 

That said, O'Neill will be pleased with how his players have responded to a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions by going unbeaten in their last four league games, winning two and drawing two, including a 2-2 draw with pace-setters Finn Harps – scoring the only two league goals Harps have conceded so far this season in the process.

 

However, given the effect profligacy in front of goal has had on upcoming opponents Shels' season to date, O'Neill will be keen to ensure that wastefulness doesn't become a bad habit his young charges develop. The UCD boss will be looking to form players and top goalscorers Chris Mulhall and Ryan Swan (three goals apiece) to spearhead the attempt to avenge the 1-0 loss to the Reds in Belfield in March.

“We played some good football last week and created some good chances,” O'Neill told ucdsoccer.com. “Perhaps at times the final ball was lacking a bit, and we will need to be more clinical with the chances we do create. Defensively I thought we were good again and didn’t give Cobh many chances.

 

“The match [against Shels] earlier in the season was a tight game with both sides giving little away,” added O'Neill. “We were disappointed with the result on the night as I thought we deserved more from the game. I know if we play to our strengths on Friday we have the quality and hunger to get the win in Tolka.”

 

Ian Ryan's wait for a first appearance of the season goes on as a troublesome foot injury continues to keep him sidelined, with Greg Sloggett also joining him once again after missing last week's game with a groin injury. Meanwhile, Robbie Benson, Conor Cannon and Maxi Kougoun are doubts for the Students.

 

Referee: Marc Lynch.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne have scored less (7) and conceded more (11) after eight games than any of their promotion rivals: Finn Harps (11/2), Wexford Youths (18/7), Athlone Town (13/7) and UCD (12/7).

 

A league game between these two sides hasn't ended scoreless since their Premier Division clash at Tolka Park on November 10^th, 2003.

 

This is also the last time UCD managed to keep a cleansheet against Shels in a league game. 16 matches across both tiers (12 in the Premier Division and four in the First Division) have elapsed since, with Shels scoring in all 16 and UCD failing to score in six.

 

 

BETTING

Shelbourne 11/8; Draw 11/5; UCD 7/4.

 

PREDICTION

1-1.

 

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Simon Dixon.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

 

UCD

Injured: Ian Ryan (foot), Greg Sloggett (groin).
Doubtful: Robbie Benson, Conor Cannon, Maxi Kougoun.
Suspended: None.