League Preview: UCD -v- Longford Town

• Andrew Dempsey
• Fri, Jul 31 2020




UCD

As football restarts it is the second home league game of the season for UCD who play host to promotion rivals Longford Town at the UCD Bowl on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

It was a mixed start to the season for Andy Myler’s men, with a win, draw and a loss all coming in the Students’ opening three games of the year. 

The Belfield side opened their season with a 1-1 draw away to Brian O’Sullivan’s Wexford FC- with Colm Whelan’s opener being cancelled out by Conor English’s late strike. 

In their second league outing of the season, UCD earned a late, late win over Cobh Ramblers thanks to a close-range Yoyo Mahdy winner. 

However, the Students were easily defeated 5-1 in their last league outing back in March by Drogheda United on a sobering night for Myler’s young guns. 

While Longford have been boosted by the arrival of Lido Lotefa on loan from Dundalk, it is unclear what kind of shape UCD find themselves in ahead of the restart. 

It has been reported that forward Sean McDonald has left the club to pursue other interests while there has been no indication on any possible arrivals or departures. 

UCD have not released team news ahead of Friday’s restart. 

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town restart their First Division campaign with a trip to face UCD in Belfield on Friday evening. 

Town’s last visit to UCD Bowl saw the then Neale Fenn managed side earn an incredible 5-1 victory away to the Students. 

However, plenty has changed at the club since then – as it has at UCD – but Longford will be eyeing another win at the Bowl to solidify their 2020 promotion hopes. 

Last week – Longford boss Daire Doyle told extratime.com: “We want to win the league and we’re not going to make a secret about that.  

“To win the league we’re going to have to win the majority of games, so we want to do that. 

“We’ve had a great start so that does set us up nicely. With some of the teams not having the starts they would’ve liked it puts us in a strong position, but you could say the same with Cabinteely. 

“Anyone who’s had a start like us, and Cabinteely will feel confident if they can maintain that for another 15 or sixteen games. 

“Consistency and the use of the group is going to be key to ensure that we’re able to do that. We’re really positive that we can perform and do what we need to do.”

Referee: Alan Patchell. 

MATCH STATS

Longford Town have not won a First Division game in Dublin since their last win over UCD in June 2018 – losing and drawing against both Shelbourne and Cabinteely since then. 

UCD’s last win at home was their first since July 2019, when they saw off Dublin rivals Bohemians 1-0 on the pitch.

However, the game would later be expunged from the record books as Bohs were found to have fielded an ineligible player in Daniel Mandroiu. The Students were awarded a 3-0 win as a result. 

BETTING

UCD 2/1; Draw 23/10; Longford Town 11/10.

PREDICTION

UCD 0 - 2 Longford Town

UCD

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: None. 

Doubtful: Thomas McLaughlin, Dean Byrne. 

Suspended: None.

League Preview: Athlone Town - v - Wexford https://t.co/hmubye4d26pic.twitter.com/GGBWjwai6J

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) July 30, 2020