RISSC v LONDON HIBS - match report

A trip to Norbury to face the league leaders, with 2 no shows, 2 key players injured and 4 others unavailable due to other commitments we took to to the field, the wind blowing and snow falling with 10 players. Hibs started the stronger, playing with the wind behind them breaking through the Irish defence only to be stopped by Darren Nolan making his 2nd appearance in goal this season. We held out for the 1st 15 mins then Hibs took advantage of the overstreched Irish defence to make it 1-0. 3 more goals followed in the first half leaving the Irish with an uphill battle in the 2nd half.
After a few words at half time we switched formation moving Adrian Ward into midfield and I dropped in behind him at left back.

We took the game to Hibs with Tim Nagle and Mick Coffey winning balls in midfield, our Columbian import Mauricio Restrepo overcoming the elements and battling for every ball out on the right, Red Hughes had our best chance after some slick passing from central midfield just shooting wide. Mick Coffey and Tim Nagle both came close. The defence marshalled by Dave Hestor and Donnie Mullin were winning every ball that came there way and Karl McGee who needs an appearance up front to have played in every position this season was great at right back. Hibs made 3 changes to try and break the deadlock and they scored a 5th goal in the last minute.

Darren Nolan kept the score down in both halves any ball that beat the defence he gathered up bravely diving at the forwards feet and making reaction saves which earned the appplause from the Hibs forward line, and Mauricio eventually thawed out by the time I dropped him at Tooting Bec Stn.

The Irish were also cheered on from the touchline by John McDonagh a South London member who bravely stuck it out despite the wind, rain and snow !!!

Despite the final score Hibs knew they were in a game and I am proud of all the players that battled for Ireland today.

1-DARREN NOLAN, 2-KARL McGEE, 3-ADRIAN WARD 4-DAVE HESTOR
5-DONNIE MULLIN 6-MICK COFFEY, 7- MAURICIO RESTREPO,
8- TIM NAGLE, 9- RED HUGHES, 10- PAUL FRANKLIN
(Irish man of the match - Darren Nolan)