UCD -v- St. Patrick's Athletic

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Fri, Oct 04 2013




UCD

The Students will provide the entertainment for the Saints who currently sit atop of the Premier Division table. UCD head into this game on the back of a very disappointing two goal defeat last Friday night against Cork City.

 

Not only did UCD limp to a two goal defeat they also managed to sustain six injuries in Turner’s Cross. Martin Russell will therefore be without the services of Thomas Boyle, Gareth Matthews, Sean Russell, Mark Langtry, Cillian Morrison, Tom O Halloran, David O'Connor and Aymen Ben Mohammed.

 

UCD are currently third from bottom but a victory would see them back up to 9th position. Martin Russell says he will still approach this game just like any other despite the odds being firmly stacked against his young side.

 

"St Pat's have proven to be worthy champions in waiting, with their style of play. We have picked up a number of injuries from the game in Cork. However we will be out to do our best to prove our own players credentials and further their progression by staying in the top tier."

 

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

This game will have knock on effects all around the league and as it is one of only two Premier Division games on it will likely be watched in person by many of the leagues managers.

 

Pats good recent league form continued last time out with a convincing 3-1 win over Bray Wanderers. Tonight's game against Martin Russell's men will be seen as a game the Saints must win in order to push on and claim that title. Therefore Liam Buckley has every reason to be in confident mood ahead of the clash in Belfield.

 

“Last week was a good win for us against Bray Wanderers,” Buckley told stpatsfc.com. “I thought we were a bit tired from the Dundalk game the week before and Bray came on strong in the end. But Christy Fagan got a great goal at the end of it to wrap it up so it was a good three points in the end.
 

“We’ve had a little bit longer to recover from the Bray game this week and now we’re all really looking forward to the UCD game. There are never any easy games at the end of any season so our approach is to just take it one game at a time and prepare as best as possible for each one.”

 

The Saints don't have the injury crises that UCD do but they do have a number of players who have been ruled out through suspension. Stephen Maher is out for the remainder of the season due to a broken leg. Liam Buckley will also be without Daryl Kavanagh and Killian Brennan who have been handed one game bans.

 

In some more positive news however influential defender Kenny Browne returns from his one game ban. Browne speaking ahead of the game admitted that it had been extremely frustrating having to watch last weeks game from the stand.

 

“Last week was probably as nervous as I ever was for a game since I’ve been at the club as I was watching it in the stand! But listen the lads did a great job, got a great win, and now we’re all really excited and can’t wait for Friday. We’ve a few suspensions this week again, but anyone who has come in recently have really been on top form so everyone really is chipping in for us at present.


“It has been a longer week waiting for the UCD game to come around so everyone’s raring to go. It’s a massive game for us, we all know that. UCD will go out and play football and they never play for a draw either so it’s really up to us. We know what we have to do so we’re just excited to go out there and do it.”

 

Referee: Paul Tuite

 

MATCH FACTS

Pats come out on top in the head to head battle between these sides having recorded four victories and a draw in their last five games.

 

For every one point UCD have earned this season Pats have managed to get 2.46 points.

 

Both teams are heading into this game with better away records than home records which does not bode well for tonight's hosts.

 

BETTING

UCD 9/1 Draw 4/1 Pats 2/7

 

PREDICTION

Pats to win this one with ease mainly due to The Students long injury list. UCD 1-4 Pats

 

UCD

Injury: Thomas Boyle, Gareth Matthews, Sean Russell, Mark Langtry, David O'Connor, Aymen Ben Mohammed, Tom O'Halloran

Doubful: None

Suspended: None

 

St Patrick's Athletic

Injured: Stephen Maher (broken leg)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Daryl Kavanagh, Killian Brennan