UCD -v- Sligo Rovers

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sat, Aug 20 2011


Sligo Rovers travel to Belfield to take on UCD on Saturday night knowing that three points are a must if their campaign for the Airtricity Premier Division title is to stay on track. (Kick off, 7.45pm)

Sligo have failed to win in their last three league outings and have lost valuable ground to both Shamrock Rovers and Derry City. They enter Saturday’s game three points behind Rovers who have a game in hand, and six points behind league leaders Derry, although the Candystripes have played a game extra.

Having inflicted an 8-0 defeat on Galway United in mid July, Sligo went on to drop two points in a 0-0 draw at home to St Patrick’s Athletic and then concede a 93rd minute equaliser away to Dundalk. This was followed last weekend by a 2-1 defeat at home to Bohemians, a match in which the Bit o’ Red led at half time.

Speaking to the Sligo Rovers website Paul Cook said, “ It was a very disappointing night against Bohemians and time is running out for us. It is a big test of our squad with just 10 matches left to play. We didn’t play well and Bohs punished us. I think there are some twists and turns to come in the league but unless we start winning games it will not matter. We have slipped back dropping these points but we had a few poor results earlier this season and we responded. That is something we need to do again.”

Cook is also aware that UCD beat Sligo 2-1 in the corresponding fixture back in April and a similar result this weekend would hand valuable breathing space to their title rivals who already edging ahead in the race for the 2011 league crown.

In terms of squad news Cook will welcome Alan Keane and Danny Ventre back, Keane finally having recovered from a thigh injury that has kept him out in recent weeks, while Ventre is back from suspension. His only absentee is midfielder John Russell who serves a one match suspension for picking up four yellow cards.

UCD enter the game having acquired just five points from their last 13 league games. Three points were barely secured with a 4-3 win against a Galway United side that seem to be in terminal decline while 2-2 draws were achieved against both Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic in recent weeks.

But the Students have not won at home since a 3-0 over Galway in early May and Martin Russell will know that his side will have to play to the peak of their abilities if they to inflict another defeat on Sligo. He has doubts hanging over the fitness midfielder Robbie Creevy and full back Ciaran Nangle but otherwise he has a full squad to choose from.

UCD suffered a morale sapping 6-0 hiding away to Shamrock Rovers in their last league outing but, more significantly, his side were beaten 4-0 when they last lined out against Sligo at the Showgrounds in mid June.

Speaking to ucdsoccer.com, UCD boss Martin Russell said, “Sligo are going to come at us with everything that they have as they try to win the league, our boys know that it is going to be a massive test. We are constantly asking our young squad to push on and this game will provide a real test. We going to be looking to put our best foot forward from the off and we feel if we play well we can give them a good game”.

UCD
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Robbie Creevy, Ciaran Nangle.
Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: John Russell.

Referee: Graham Kelly.
Paddy Power Odds: UCD 11/2; Draw 11/4; Sligo 1/2.
Extratime prediction: Sligo to do the necessary; 3-0.