Rampant RISSC Annihilate Argyle

This would be RISSC’s first encounter with Plymouth whose season to date bore a Jekyl & Hyde commodity with a series of fluctuating performances and results. The pitch at Perivale wore the scars of a hectic season but the weather, while cold and crisp, was more than acceptable for a January afternoon.

Manager Paul Franklin was forced to make two changes to the successful side of the previous week with erudite centre back Dan Healey and the injured Adrian Ward both unavailable for selection. The returning Tim Nagle replaced Ward on the right hand side of midfield while Paul Lavelle found himself in a starting role on the other midfield flank. The centre back position was handed to the versatile Jon Carey.

The initial focus of the team was to secure victory and to that end the side immediately set out their stall by taking firm control of affairs. RISSC retained possession of the ball with simple accurate passing and very quickly, some goal scoring opportunities were created. The strike partnership of Mauricio Carillo and Mick Coffey both went close in the early stages. Soon, a passage of measured passing culminating in an excellent right foot volley from Lavelle brought the opening goal.

Within a short space of time RISSC were two ahead, with Carillo and Coffey combining well for the latter to fire home. The Irish team continued to control matters and the enthusiastic Carillo was rewarded for his endeavours with goal number three. As the half time interval approached, the security of the three points was assured, when midfield dynamo Donnie Mullen struck a powerful shot from outside the penalty area to bring up the quartet of goals.

Following the interval, confident that victory would ensue, manager Franklin switched to a 3-4-3 formation, with Nagle joining the front line troops and peerless Paddy McGee, a first half replacement for injured full back Mark O’Connor, slotting into the midfield role. McGee was soon involved when his delicate pass released Coffey and the resurgent striker drove home a 25 yard shot.

Enterprising movement from Carillo created another excellent opportunity and having rounded the goalkeeper his goal bound effort was finished to the net by Nagle. With the team utterly dominant, centre back Karl McGee ventured forward and after his initial pass was switched across field, McGee arrived in the penalty area to send a looping header to the net. The eight and final goal of the afternoon was scored by Coffey with another of his trademark strikes.

With the current leaders not in action, RISSC have joined them on thirty seven points and significant inroads have also been made into the goal advantage which is now down to four. Could it yet be possible that these lads could climb their Everest? With four matches remaining, you can rest assured that the team will make every effort to do just that.