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RISSC (London) avenged their early season defeat by Stoke City SC in an absorbing encounter at the LPR Sports Ground this afternoon. The ‘Potters’ entered the game on a high, having won their opening three fixtures, to top the League. Among those early successes was an emphatic 6-2 defeat of an under strength RISSC.

RISSC were without regular custodian Darren Nolan who was allegedly spinning a wheel or two in Las Vegas, while looking for Elvis. Tim Nagle deputised for the absent Nolan between the posts. Manager Paul Franklin had most of his squad available and was able to field, arguably, his strongest side this season. Still smarting from their earlier defeat, the RISSC players were quickly out of the blocks, displaying an eager appetite for action.

The match ebbed and flowed, as Stoke are a redoubtable outfit and were not prepared to concede readily. Their primary striker, who had caused mayhem in the RISSC defence during the first meeting, was the subject of special attention and encountered skipper Karl McGee at his belligerent best. As time elapsed, RISSC began to edge proceedings but were caught cold when an in swinging corner was allowed to drift directly into the net.

The disappointment of conceding such a soft goal was swiftly cast aside and RISSC began to make inroads into the Stoke defence. Strike partners Mick Coffey and Richie Dempsey both went close as the interval approached. RISSC suffered a setback five minutes before the break when Mark O’Connor had to be replaced and Paul Lavelle entered the fray.

Wind conditions favoured RISSC after the resumption and aligned to the industry of all the players they began to take a firm hold on proceedings. The deserved equaliser came as no surprise when Dempsey slipped through the Stoke defence and scored with ease. Buoyed by his goal, the Laois man continued to create panic in the Stoke defence, and his sharp reactions brought further joy as his well struck shot gave RISSC the lead.

The opportunity to seal the victory fell to Brian Moriarty but his effort came back off the post and was cleared. Credit must be given to Stoke who showed a large degree of resilience and were rewarded with an equaliser, again from a set piece corner. On this occasion the cross was met on the full by a Stoke player and powered to the net.

RISSC responded to this setback with renewed ambition and Dempsey’s long range free kick struck the bar and flew over. Undaunted, the team continued to press the opposition and justice was done when a sublime piece of skill from Finton McKeon beat three opponents and his delicate pass found Dempsey who fired home the winner and his hat trick.

As the match approached the final stages, Stoke tried desperately to retrieve the situation but RISSC stood firm and resisted all their efforts with calm assurance. Indeed, RISSC came closest to scoring when another fine effort from Dempsey clipped the crossbar again. This victory, over a Stoke side who will challenge for the title, is crucial to the resurgence of RISSC and manager Franklin and his players believe that it can be the catalyst for another successful campaign.

Team
Tim Nagle
Dan Healy, Karl McGee, Mick Cusack, Martin Flannery;
Mark O’Connor, Finton McKeon, Donnie Mullen, Brian Moriarty;
Richie Dempsey, Mick Coffey;

Substitutes
Paul Lavelle, Liam Quirk, Paddy McGee, Paul Franklin.