Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Wexford -v- UCD
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Jun 30 2017
WEXFORD
Wexford welcome UCD to Ferrycarrig Park fresh from their first away win of the season at Cabinteely last Friday (kick-off 8pm).
Eoin Porter's first goal of the season was enough to seal the win for Wexford, thought they saw Ricky Fox dismissed deep into injury time for an altercation with Christian Lotefa.
"We're on a good run of form of late, but we have to be cautious,” manager Damian Locke told the club's official website.
The last thing we want is to repeat what happened after our win against Shelbourne when we went to Longford and were beaten comprehensively.
“Our home form has been reasonably good and we'll be looking to build further on that. It's going to be a tough challenge, but it's one that we are all looking forward to.”
Locke will be without the suspended Fox and Andrew O'Connor, while Sean Hurley and Mark Slater miss out with knee and hamstring complaints respectively.
Conor Sutton and Dean George are also unavailable, but Shane Dunne returns from injury and Locke could hand debuts to new recruits AJ O'Connor and Conor Dunne.
Ferrycarrig Park will be open from 5.30pm, two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, as the club's annual family fun day takes place.
UCD
UCD reignited their promotion challenge last week with a much-needed 3-2 win over league leaders Waterford, a result that lifted them above Cobh Ramblers into second.
The Students were made to sweat for their win, however, as they let a seemingly unassailable 3-0 lead with 20 minutes remaining very nearly slip from their grasp.
Jason McClelland scored either side of half time and Greg Sloggett added a penalty before Davy McDaid scored twice in five minutes to set up a nervy finish as UCD just held on.
With Waterford facing a tricky trip to in-form Shelbourne, UCD manager Collie O'Neill will see this evening's fixture as another chance to close the four-point gap at the top.
O'Neill will have his fingers crossed for the return of inspiration captain Gary O'Neill from injury but should otherwise have a full squad to choose from.
Referee: Eoghan O'Shea
MATCH STATS
Wexford and UCD have met twice already this season, with the Students holding a slight edge over the two games.
It took a late equaliser from UCD captain Gary O'Neill to share the spoils at Ferrycarrig Park on St Patrick's Day after Ross Kenny had given Wexford the lead.
In the most recent meeting at the UCD Bowl in May, a spectacular second-half overhead kick from Georgie Kelly and a second from Jason McClelland secured a 2-0 win.
BETTING
Wexford 5/2; Draw 5/2; UCD 3/4 .
PREDICTION
Wexford 0 – 2 UCD
Wexford
Injured: Sean Hurley (knee), Mark Slater (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Ricky Fox, Andrew O'Connor.
Unavailable: Dean George, Conor Sutton.
UCD
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Gary O'Neill.
Suspended: None.
