League Preview: UCD -v- Cobh Ramblers

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, Aug 13 2015




UCD entertain Cobh Ramblers in the second of three straight home games for the Students. Kick off in Belfield is set for 19:45.

 

UCD

Collie O’Neill’s charges go into this contest having not lost in the league since March and are fast becoming odds-on favourites to win the First Division.

 

Four players managed to get on the scoresheet last time out against Waterford, something which manager O’Neill was particurly pleased about.

 

“You’re always going to be pleased when you score five goals, especially when there are a number of players getting on the scoresheet," said O'Neill. "Every game from now to the end of the season is going to be a fight. We have the quality and desire to win each game and it is important, though, that we concentrate on each game as it comes and look to win every game to keep the pressure up on Wexford.”

 

This past week Ryan Swan became the first UCD winner of the Player of the Month award since May 2010 – when David McMillan claimed it – but Swan, speaking after being presented with the award, is just determined to continue to play his part in his side's promotion push.

 

“The European run has brought us even more together and it has definitely helped us even since we have gone back to the league," said the UCD striker. "We have won all our games since we went out of Europe. The European run has given us momentum and we’re really looking forward to every game and trying to get those points to win the league.”

 

Stephen Henderson has certainly succeeded in tightening up Cobh’s defensive frailties but with eight goals in their last two games surely the Boys in Blue will be able to find a way through.

 

“Since Stephen Henderson came in, Cobh have become a very difficult side to play against and have had some brilliant results. It is important we keep our good performances up, be patient with our play, take our chances when they come and work really hard not to concede,” concluded O’Neill.

 

UCD have no suspensions for this game but up to four players may be sidelined through injury. Mick Leahy and Thomas Boyle will both likely face late fitness tests ahead of the contest as they have both been labelled as doubtful for this clash.

 

Elsewhere Greg Sloggett continues to suffer from his longstanding groin injury while Jamie Doyle, having scored in his last two outings, misses out with a hamstring injury.

 

 

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh enter this having not lost in their last three games while his team are also unbeaten against the Students in their last two encounters.

 

Cobh currently sit in fifth position in the league which is a serious improvement to where Stephen Henderson found the club when he took over just a month into the season.

 

Henderson will know heading into this game that he is facing the form team in the whole of the First Division and that if his side are going to pick up any sort of a result they will have to keep it tight at the back, something Waterford failed to do last week when they let in five at the hands of a rampant College outfit.

 

In team news Cobh have no players suspended while it is still unclear as to who is out injured for the Cork based outfit as the club have yet to issue a bulletin.

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Following this Friday’s fixture both teams have only three home games left during the 2015 regular league season.

 

UCD and Cobh are the only two First Division teams to have drawn six games.

 

UCD’s top goalscorer is Ryan Swan, with ten league goals, while Cobh’s leading scorer is Stephen Kenny, who has bagged himself seven in this season’s First Division.

 

 

BETTING

UCD 1/4; Draw 4/1; Cobh Ramblers 9/1.

 

PREDICTION

UCD 2-1 Cobh Ramblers.

 

 

UCD

Injured: Greg Sloggett (groin), Jamie Doyle (hamstring).

Doubtful: Mick Leahy (ankle), Thomas Boyle (knee).

Suspended: None.

 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.