RISSC (London) News Archive

League results to date indicated that the visit of Aberdeen SC to the LPR Sports Ground was likely to provide RISSC (London) with a challenge which would be a barometer of their current standing within the APSCIL League, and so it proved. In a gripping encounter, RISSC swept into an early two goal lead but were pegged back by Aberdeen SC before the interval. The second half followed a similar pattern, with RISSC again getting their noses in front only for their high flying opponents to not only equalise, but obtain the goal to give them victory.

RISSC manager Paul Franklin and his squad were disappointed with the final 4-3 result but will have taken great heart from their performance. On this showing, it is clear that the team can hold their own with the top sides in this division, and they will look to recover their winning ways, when Middlesbrough SC visit Sudbury Hill next Sunday.

An autumn afternoon, with hazy sunshine filtering across the playing surface, welcomed the teams. RISSC were uplifted by the appearance of leading goalscorer Richie Dempsey, who flew back from Ireland especially for the game. Ten minutes into the match, Dempsey’s decision looked a wise one, when he sprinted past his marker and fired home to put RISSC in front. The situation got better midway through the half when a through ball from Karl McGee, deputising in midfield for the absent Donnie Mullen, was collected by Mick Coffey and he struck the second goal.

The well worn adage, that a team is at its most vulnerable immediately after scoring, turned out to be true, when a lapse of concentration allowed Aberdeen SC to pull a well worked goal back. The first real moment of controversy occurred as half time beckoned. A well timed tackle by Dan Healy was deemed a foul by the referee and from the resultant free kick, the visitors scored the equaliser.

There still remained sufficient time for RISSC to launch another attack which led to a corner. Coffey’s in swinging kick beat everybody and nestled in the back of the net. RISSC’s joy, however, was short lived as the official disallowed the effort, decreeing that he had blown for half time during the flight of the ball.

The early stages of the second half saw Aberdeen SC, no doubt relieved by their lucky escape, dominate proceedings and ask a series of questions of the RISSC defence, which stood firm. As the half developed, RISSC regained their composure and began to launch a series of attacks, one of which led to another corner. On this occasion, Dempsey delivered the kick and came within inches of replicating Coffey’s disallowed effort.

The game was very competitive and the evenly balanced exchanges provided rich entertainment. Mid way through the half, RISSC scored again and unbelievable as it may seem, the score came directly from a corner kick taken by Mick Coffey. As the half progressed, RISSC came under mounting pressure and eventually the rearguard was breached. Another disputed free kick led to the equaliser for their opponents. The impact of conceding a second equaliser, despite their sterling defensive efforts, took its toll on the players. A weary defensive error led to the fourth goal and success for Aberdeen SC.

Try as they may, RISSC could not retrieve the situation, although substitute Mauricio Carillo went close, and in the final seconds a Dempsey shot flew inches past the post. Despite feeling disappointed with the result, RISSC can look forward, with some degree of confidence, to achieving a successful return to the top division. Speaking after the match, manager Franklin, though disappointed, was philosophical and echoed the view that the future would indeed be bright.

Team for 12 November 2006
Darren Nolan
Jon Carey, Mick Cusack, Dan Healy, Martin Flannery;
Brian Moriarty, Karl McGee, Finton McKeon, Tim Nagle;
Mick coffey, Richie Dempsey

Substitutes
Adrian Ward for Moriarty 46 minutes
Mauricio Carillo for Nagle 80 minutes
Paul Franklin - Unused