U.C.D v Derry City, Belfield Bowl, 7.45pm
(Game live on Drive105MNL)
Derry City will be on the road again this Friday evening when the travel to the U.C.D Bowl to take on Martin Russell’s students in a Airtricity Premier division clash. The Candystripes will be looking to put a bad restart to the season behind them, that has seen them lose a two goal lead to Cork City and be beaten in the League Cup away to Sligo and at home in the league to Drogheda United, scoring only two goals and conceding nine.
Sitting fifth in the table on 19 points 12 points behind current leaders Sligo Rovers, the Foylesider’s need to start to pick up points on their travels if they are to finish in a European place for next season. And after a 0-0 draw at home to the students already this season Declan Devine will be looking for a response from his players to their recent slump in form.
Speaking ahead of the game Devine said. “ After a bad restart to the league campaign since the summer break, we would be happy just to keep a clean sheet at the minute, we need to keep our minds focused and cut out the silly mistakes that we have been making of late, the lads know that we need to be more ruthless in front of gaol as well as at the back. We go to U.C.D knowing that this is where we need to start over again. We expect a hard test tomorrow night against a team that have had good results against Sligo and Shamrock rovers of late and any team that can cause teams like them problems are not to be taken lightly.”
Derry will be without the services of Kevin Deery, Mark Farren, Stewart Greacen and Brian McGroary, while Gerard Doherty, Ruaidhrí Higgins, Patrick McEleney and Rory Patterson are all doubtful.
