On a bright but chilly Sunday afternoon, Paul Franklin took his RISSC (London) team to South London to face a Manchester City outfit who have themselves been returning some fine recent results. RISSC travelled in confident fashion following their excellent victory over Bristol City on the previous weekend.

Both Timmy Nagle and Adrian Ward returned to the starting eleven and manager, Franklin was joined on the bench by Colombian Irish import Mauricio Carrillo. In the absence of Liam Kelly, veteran midfielder Paddy McGee linked with Mick Coffey to form a new strike partnership.

RISSC dominated the opening proceedings with exemplary ball retention and some splendid phases of passing. The team created a number of half chances but were unable to convert them. It came therefore as quite a surprise when on their first real sortie into the Irish half after 20 minutes, the home team took the lead. A ball played across the face of goal was deflected past the helpless Darren Nolan by an Irish defender.

Jolted by this setback the Irish increased the tempo and both Karl and Paddy McGee had efforts which just missed. Undaunted, the Irish continued to press and reaped their reward shortly before half time when a well delivered Mick Coffey corner was powered to the net by the forehead of Karl McGee.

On the resumption, Mauricio Carrillo replaced Paddy McGee and he was immediately to the fore with his height and strength creating serious problems for the home defence. RISSC continued to dominate and took the lead from another Coffey corner, with full back Mark O’Connor heading his first goal for the club. In time worn fashion, following the goal, RISSC were caught napping and conceded an equaliser shortly afterwards. At this stage, the injured Dave Hester was replaced by Martin Flannery

The Irish response was swift and positive with last week’s four goal hero, Mick Coffey drilling the club back into the lead with a fine shot. Coffey was again in the vanguard minutes later when he struck another powerful shot off the far post and into the net. The Irish were now rampant and Mauricio Carrillo was rewarded for his industry when he collected a pass, rounded the goalkeeper and tucked away the fifth goal.

RISSC were now in cruise control and manager Franklin, who had just entered the fray, set the seal on a rewarding exercise when he himself was on hand to stroke home a fine pull back from Coffey. In the dying moments, Jon Carey was unlucky when his diving header struck the post and stayed out.

The squad, which will be strengthened by the return of Emmett Mannion and Donie Mullen, will travel to King Georges Park, Wandsworth, to meet Dundee United on Sunday next the 20 November 2005.

Team
1. Darren Nolan, 2. Mark O’Connor, 3. Jon Carey, 4. Karl McGee, 5. Dan Healey, 6. Tim Nagle, 7. Gary Stockwell, 8. Adrian Ward, 9. Dave Hester, 10. Paddy McGee, 11. Mick Coffey.

Substitutes
Mauricio Carrillo, Martin Flannery, Paul Franklin.