The players of the RISSC (London) football team continued their adventure of pursuit at the top of Division Two of the APFSCIL League on Sunday afternoon last. With the vista of league leaders Manchester United Supporters Club looming large in their sights the team sought to maintain the smooth running momentum built up in recent weeks on their drive to the top. The next barrier on their route to pole position was presented by Blackburn Rovers.

Manager, Paul Franklin was forced to make one change to the side that trounced Bristol City last week. Martin Flannery starting at left back with Jon Carey switching to midfield in place of the absent Tim Nagle. The redoubtable Carey revelled in his advanced position and was very much the leading light in the opening stages. Two confident long range shots forced saves from the Blackburn goalkeeper and a further adventurous effort struck the post. The freedom of expression shown by the erstwhile full back belied the fact that he was still seeking his opening goal of the season.

RISSC were again dominant in the midfield area and several chances were created. The strike partnership of Mauricio Carillo and Mick Coffey went close on a number of occasions and right side midfielder Adrian Ward hit the cross bar with a speculative effort. The attacking control enjoyed by the Irish team was such that goalkeeper Darren Nolan and his defence were rendered almost redundant.

The much anticipated opening goal eventually arrived courtesy of a delicate chip from central midfielder Gary Stockwell. The breakthrough engendered a greater calmness in the offensive play of the team and the energetic Carillo reaped the reward for his unstinting effort with a brace of goals before the half time interval.

With the raucous encouragement of club stalwart Noel McNevin echoing across the park, the second period of the game resumed. RISSC continued where they left off in the first by applying constant pressure on the Blackburn defence. Despite the best endeavours of Coffey and substitute Paul Lavelle, who replaced a near exhausted Carillo, they were unable to extend their lead.

As the encounter entered the final quarter, player manager Franklin joined the fray as a replacement for Ward. Franklin immediately set about showing his charges how it was done by driving home a close range shot following a sublime headed pass from rampaging full back Mark O’Connor. Further opportunities presented themselves in the closing stages but Franklin, O’Connor and Donnie Mullen were unable to find the finishing touch.

The sheen of another comfortable victory was slightly tarnished by a lapse in defensive concentration in the final minute of the game which offered Blackburn the opportunity to score an undeserved consolation goal.

The squad will travel west to Ealing Central, Perivale on Sunday afternoon next, 29th January 2006, where they will engage Plymouth Argyle in the next episode of this exciting challenge to the current league leaders. The match will kick off at 2.00pm and the team would welcome all the support their ongoing performances deserve.

Team
Darren Nolan
Mark O’Connor, Karl McGee, Dan Healey, Martin Flannery
Adrian Ward, Gary Stockwell, Donnie Mullen, Jon Carey
Mauricio Carillo, Mick Coffey

Substitutes
Paul Franklin, Paul Lavelle