Longford Town seeking another positive result against UCD at Bishopsgate

Bishopsgate could house one of the biggest crowds of the season for the visit of UCD to the Strokestown Road venue this Saturday night, kick-off 7.30pm.

UCD come to Longford on a fine run that includes three wins in their last five games. I suppose on the other hand the Town also are in a good vein of form also with two wins and a draw in their last three games.

To draw with a Cobh side that are only a point from the top of the table was a fine result and followed that up with a great victory in Wexford and then win the midlands derby on Monday night, a result that puts the Town six points ahead of Athlone who are now managed by Ian Ryan.

Two wins over the weekend is a huge boost for the Town players and management and they will go into Saturday night’s game in a confident mood against UCD. 

Longford manager Wayne Groves will undoubtedly be wary against possibly the best footballing side in the league. 

The Town have played UCD twice this season and both were very close affairs. The first meeting was in early April at Bishopsgate and on that occasion a goal from Mikey Raggett was the decider in a game that was very close and the visitors just about deserved the victory. The return game in Belfield ended 1-1 in early May. 

Emmanuel James gave the Town the lead on the half hour mark but that man Raggett equalised just on half time to give the home side a share of the points. 

Last season UCD were the victors on three occasions and the other game was a draw. The first meeting at Bishopsgate at the end of March ended 2-1 to the students. 

The next meeting at Belfield ended 1-0 to UCD who also won (2-1) when the clubs clashed at Bishopsgate at the end of July. 

The final game of the season was at Belfield and it ended 2-2 in mid October. 

Oisin Hand gave the Town the lead on the stroke of half-time and Emmanuel James scored no 2 in the 76th minute.

UCD got back in the game with a goal from Parker and they equalised in the 85th minute with a McCullagh goal.

 As we all know Raggett is the danger man for UCD but they also have a fine player in Eanna Clancy who is a very good central defender who chips in with important goals.

Sean Brennan is another exciting prospect who will need to be very closely watched for the full 90 minutes. 

You can’t talk about UCD without mentioning a certain Ronan Finn who has relations around Longford. Finn is a top class midfielder even though he is in the twilight of an outstanding career and he is a key player in midfield.

 The Town deserved all three points against Athlone on Monday night and it was pleasing to see the team play good attacking football.

The post saved Athlone twice and their second goal undoubtedly was an early Christmas present.

Eric Yoro was outstanding in the centre of the defence but this was a real team effort from all the players on the pitch and if they can do the same on Saturday night then another win could be possible.

UCD  are beatable as Cobh proved recently. Having said that, the students scored an excellent 3-1 win over Bray on Monday night.

Let’s hope that Longford’s good run continues on Saturday.

SSE Airtricity League First Division

Longford Town v UCD 

at Bishopsgate

Saturday 28 June

Kick off 7.30pm