Bohs tonight

[DmanDmythDledge]

From ucdsoccer.com (http://www.ucdsoccer.com/news.php?id=3964):

Mahon taking it one game at a time

UCD boss Pete Mahon is happy to take things one game at a time as UCD visit Bohemians in the league tonight ahead of their FAI Cup semi-final on Sunday.

"I don't think we can afford to rest any players because we're back in trouble again," said Mahon. "I'm going to focus on this game and not worry about Longford until Tuesday morning," he said.

Mahon said he doesn't know what to expect from Bohemians on Monday but the game is likely to provide a tough challenge for his charges. "They have one eye on their Cup semi but at the same time they are looking for a UEFA Cup spot through the league," he said.

UCD will have a near full strength side available for Monday night's clash away to Bohemians in Dalymount Park. Paul Crowley, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, is the only player (aside from long term injury victim Derek Doyle) unavailable for the Students. Brian Shorthall returns from injury after coming through an under 21 game.

UCD have added two young players to the first team squad. Striker Darren Forsyth and midfielder Tony Doyle have both joined the squad ahead of Monday's game.

Anyone else going to it?

We're 5/1 for anyone that's tempted. Bohs missing a few players.

[pineapple stu]

Can't make it this evening; Deco may be heading in as one last hurrah before emigrating.

Hope for another draw this evening; haven't conceded a goal to them yet this season. Be nice to get another point on the board away frmo that play off.

[Aberdonian Stu]

Where's Deco emigrating to?

[pineapple stu]

Australia.

[Bunny Kelly]

Anyway of getting updates on the matches tonight? Presume RTE forgets the league does exist because its not a Friday night

[John83]

I can't make it tonight either.

[Bald Student]

I can but won't make it.

[John83]

Dmanetc's at the match, and via the miracle of modern telecommunications (and a relay station of Pineapple Stu), I've learned that the team is:

Gregg
Shortall
McMillan
McNally
Bermingham
McWalter
McDonnell (c)
King
McFaul
C. Byrne (left wing)
Moran.

From the updates thread, I've learned we're 1-0 down.

[John83]

Oh dear. Bohs 2-0 up.

[CollegeTillIDie]

No wonder we freakin' lost :( less than 6 of that team are likely to start on Sunday. AND we're in danger of being in a play off into the bargain.

[DmanDmythDledge]

No wonder we freakin' lost :( less than 6 of that team are likely to start on Sunday.
Typical of you to give a comment like that about a game you weren't at. Very good performance- we definitely deserved something from the game.

[Poor Student]

We played some of our nicest football this season today. Definitely deserved at least a goal. McFaul got injured unfortunately.:(

[CollegeTillIDie]

We played some of our nicest football this season today. Definitely deserved at least a goal. McFaul got injured unfortunately.:(

We played great football against Shamrock Rovers on TV and lost. Playing well and losing is relegation form!

Dmand
I was in A and E for 6 freaking hours, with my father, and didn't even get to see the doctor so I don't have any time for your ,..... you weren't even at the match crap! Conceding 2 goals in a game when it's UCD usually means they lose. We don't score more than a goal a game on average. In fact our current average is just less than a goal game.

P.S. Nice guys finish last.....

[DmanDmythDledge]

It was not the fact that you were not at the game, I was the fact that you were commenting negatively on the performance, on a game you did not see, when your comments were well wide of the mark.

[CollegeTillIDie]

It's UCD , when they concede two goals , they usually lose.. End of!

[Bald Student]

Why can't we all just get along?

[DmanDmythDledge]

"I don't think we can afford to rest any players because we're back in trouble again," said Mahon. "I'm going to focus on this game and not worry about Longford until Tuesday morning," he said.

Another bluff from Pete.:D

Will have the report up by tomorrow afternoon.

[Schumi]

Strange match. We played some really good football at times and probably deserved a draw, I still don't understand how we lost 2-0. The midfield was excellent, King was brilliant; he should start on Sunday if McFaul is out. As someone was saying to me at the game, we missed Sammo up front. Moran wasn't able to hold up play well enough to be up front on his own and didn't have the pace to get onto through balls. He looked wrecked by the end too!

[Ceirtlis]

I was at the match myself. Whoever your number 9 was i thought he was useless. Ye had alot of good chances but most of them were hit straight at the keeper.

[DmanDmythDledge]

6Bab1ZiPe84

[pineapple stu]

Whoever your number 9 was i thought he was useless. Ye had alot of good chances but most of them were hit straight at the keeper.
Fran Moran, I assume. It was his first start, and I think his fourth appearance.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Defensive errors prove costly for Students

UCD lost their second straight game, failing to hit the target in their third consecutive game, as they were defeated by two goals against Bohemians in Dalymount Park. Despite dominating the game for spells the Students lacked a killer instinct upfront and went home with nothing to show for their efforts.

Pete Mahon made several changes to his side, with this Sunday's FAI Ford Cup semi-final against Longford Town clearly in his mind. Darren Quigley, Alan Mahon, Conor Kenna, Ronan Finn and Conor Sammon were all rested and replaced by Matt Gregg, Brian Shorthall, Evan McMillan, Tony McDonnell and Fran Moran respectively.

With only three minutes gone in the game UCD got off to the worst possible start. Dean Pooley was allowed to move upfield unchallenged and picked out Darren Mansaram with a precise pass. The bustly striker evaded the attention of three UCD defenders and spread the ball wide to the unmarked Harpal Singh. The winger's brilliant cross was met by Michael McGinely, who powerfully headed into the bottom left, giving Matt Gregg no chance.

The visitors responded well and their 4-5-1 formation ensured that they had the majority of possession. Their attacks were focused on Bohs' left flank and created many opportunities using this tactic. Pat McWalter found himself in space on numerous occasions but his enticing crosses were not capatalised on by the UCD attack.

On 28 minutes Bohemians almost doubled their lead, against the run of play. A long ball over the top from Pooley released Glen Crowe who shot at goal from a narrow angle. However Gregg, a former Bohs player, got down well to deny him.

UCD had a glorious chance to level the game five minutes later. Brian King, who was dictating the game from midfield, split open the Bohs' defence with a superb through ball. Fran Moran was clean through on goal but a poor first touch took the ball away from him. Despite this he still managed to get a shot at goal, which beat Brian Murphy. However his effort lacked power and was cleared off the line by the retreating Owen Heary.

The visitors were made pay for that missed chance as the Gypsies extended their lead after 37 minutes. A long ball upfield fron Brian Murphy was sublimely controlled by Crowe, who moved the ball inside to Ryan McCann. The Scottish midfielder found the overlapping Singh who struck a powerful shot at goal. Gregg appeared to have saved it, but somehow managed to deflect the ball onto the post and into the path of Mansaram who tapped home the rebound into an empty net.

UCD's woes were compounded minutes later when influential midfielder Shane McFaul limped off with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Pete Mahon was not prepared to take any chances and immediately replaced him with Ronan Finn.

The Students began the second half brightly and almost pulled a goal back in spectacular fashion. Pat McWalter picked up a loose ball just outside the Bohemians' penalty area and pulled the ball back to Finn. The creative midfield struck at goal with a magnificent effort from 35 yards. However the ball sailed inches over the crossbar, with Murphy well beaten.

Poor UCD defending almost gifted Bohs a third goal. Evan McMillan took to long in attempting to clear the ball and his clearance was blocked by a Bohs' attacker. The ball fell fortuitously to Darren Mansaram but his shot at goal hit the inside of the post, much to the relief of the visitors.

UCD continued to be a threat and again created goalscoring opportunites. Ronan Finn capatalised on hesitation from Kevin Hunt in midfield and set off on a surging run through the heart of the Bohemians' defence. He picked out McWalter with a pass to his left but the Wicklow native shot straight at Murphy.

The tempo of the game began to slow down as both sides made changes to their teams. Bohs were content to sit back and allow UCD to try and break them down. As a result the remainder of the game was devoid of many scoring opportunities.

UCD had one last chance to get on the scoresheet late on. The lively Finn continued to impose himself on the game and his sliding challenge left Conan Byrne one-on-one with Brian Murphy. However the diminutive winger shot weakly at goal, albeit with his weaker left foot.

This defeat for UCD means that they are still not quite safe from the relegation battle. With only one win in their last eight league games they have dragged themselves down the table and an anxioius few weeks lie ahead.

UCD: Gregg; Shorthall (A. Doyle '71), McMillan (Kenna '63), McNally, Bermingham; McWalter, McDonnell, King, McFaul (Finn '41), C. Byrne; Moran.
Subs not used: Quigley, Forsyth.

[pineapple stu]

The injury is going to keep McFaul out of Sunday's game.

[Schumi]

Fran Moran, I assume. It was his first start, and I think his fourth appearance.9 was Moran, yeah. Poor game from him, offside far too often and didn't have the pace to make use of through balls.


The injury is going to keep McFaul out of Sunday's game.****

[Poor Student]

Kinger was great. Seems to be going from strength to strength. I think Fran Moran could be handy enough given some more experience. He was wrecked by 65/70 mins.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Kinger is a good player he has been great for us this year and can fill in a number of positions. What does the A. stand for in substitute Doyle's name?

[Schumi]

Anthony. He scored for the under 21s last week. He played on the right wing last night and looked pretty good. He's got plenty of pace and his crossing looked pretty good.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Thanks I shall have to add him to the list on my spreadsheet ;)

[pineapple stu]

Think he goes by Tony though.

And speaking of Tony, the way is open for the Messiah to lead the way on Sunday!!

(Apparently McFaul is gutted, incidentally; Colin won't even ask him his website questions because he wants to give him a bit of space!)

[CollegeTillIDie]

Think he goes by Tony though.

And speaking of Tony, the way is open for the Messiah to lead the way on Sunday!!

(Apparently McFaul is gutted, incidentally; Colin won't even ask him his website questions because he wants to give him a bit of space!)

So we should add him to our list of Tony's? Good. Perhaps there haven't been enough Tony's in the team lately , good to see that the Messiah is fit. Now if he can only last 90 minutes......

[Schumi]

And speaking of Tony, the way is open for the Messiah to lead the way on Sunday!!Not based on yesterday. King and Finn should start.

Is Paul Byrne injured BTW?

[DmanDmythDledge]

I don't think I've seen a better peformance from any centre mid this season better than what King and Finn produced last night.

Kev tony was a passenger, even in a five man midfield. He's a centre back and nothing else now.

Also comment from Bohs forum:


that was ronan finn, had an excellent second half when he came on. king was a bit quieter in the second.

When he came on?? Number 12 played the whole game and played class.

:D

[CollegeTillIDie]

Tony could probably do a job as an impact sub up front. He was top scorer for us one season don't forget.

[Schumi]

Originally Posted by flynnerbohs
When he came on?? Number 12 played the whole game and played class.Excellent. :D

[DmanDmythDledge]

The injury is going to keep McFaul out of Sunday's game.
And the rest of the season, ligament damage in his ankle. 2-3 weeks out.

[Schumi]

And the rest of the season... 2-3 weeks out.
Hopefully, that won't be the rest of the season.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Schumi

Fingers crossed!

[DmanDmythDledge]

Hopefully, that won't be the rest of the season.
I'd say it will be even if we make the final. A few U-21 games won't get him up to full fitness.

[John83]

You don't lose that much fitness in 3 weeks.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Enough not to be fit though. It would be different if we were stuck for him but King and Finn are more that adequate.