Match Report

Canvey negotiated a safe passage through to the first qualifying round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win over Fakenham Town of the Ridgeons Eastern Counties League Division One.

Despite the score line it was a far from comfortable game for Canvey but their class eventually told in a second half in which despite the windy conditions they played some exciting attacking football in front of a crowd of 341.

Canvey were on the attack right from the first minute. A first time dipping shot from Dobinson tested keeper Stephen Lewis as Canvey started brightly. Within 10 minutes they were in front.

Lee Jay who had a superb game on the right wing put in an excellent high ball to the centre of the penalty area. The Fakenham defence hesitated allowing Steve Corbell to nip in ahead of the keeper and head home.
Canvey were up and running and looking for a second goal. Jay Curran’s effort was deflected over as Canvey dominated.

They were in for a shock on 20 minutes when Fakenham managed to grab a surprise equaliser. A long ball managed to elude both Dave Kreyling and Andrew West and Steve Johnson was able to burst through and toe-poke his effort beyond the onrushing Ricky Wiseman.

It was a sloppy goal to concede but Canvey continued to dominate the first half without quite finding the killer touch. Dobinson cracked a shot wide and Canvey were finding a lot of joy down the right as Lee Jay’s crosses were causing keeper Lewis a lot of problems especially in the swirling wind. Nicky Rugg nearly opened his account for the season but could only toe poke his effort straight at the keeper.

Steve Corbell might have grabbed a second goal for himself right on the stroke of half time but he curled his free kick against the cross bar with the keeper beaten.

So 1-1 at half time and Canvey were playing into the wind in the second half. They started rather sluggishly with Ricky Wiseman forced to palm a shot over after 47 minutes.

There was then a real scare when Wiseman handled outside his area. Luckily the referee showed him just a yellow card and Fakenham could not use the free kick to their advantage.

Canvey now started to sense that maybe their luck was in and started to play the free flowing football that has opened up many teams in the past.
They finally regained the lead after 55 minutes. Some good build up play down the left saw Steve Corbell put in a superb high hanging cross to the back post. The keeper could only palm the ball out straight to Clyde Roberts who had a simple tap in.

It was all Canvey now as they looked for the third to kill off the game. Jay Curran’s shot on the turn was somehow cleared off the line and then Nicky Rugg nearly got on the end of a great pass from Curran but the keeper did well to smother.

Fakenham still posed something of a threat but their resistance was broken on 76 minutes when after a free kick on the left caused panic in the box, Nicky Rugg was able to turn and shoot and his effort was deflected into the net.

Canvey were now rampant as they looked for further goals. Dobinson forced the keeper into a low save and Jay Curran who had, had a quiet first half suddenly came alive.

He curled a superb effort against the crossbar from outside the area and then moments later nearly beat the keeper with a clever chipped shot that dipped just wide of the post.

A fourth goal seemed on the cards and this came two minutes from the end. Nicky Rugg broke free of his marker on the left hand side of the penalty area. His low driven cross was deflected perfectly for George Blewer to tap home at the far post.

The final whistle blew soon after to complete an excellent win for the Gulls. Despite the difficult windy conditions they managed to play some excellent passing football something they’ve not been able to do in recent games. Fakenham were tricky opponents though and gave Canvey one or two scares along the way but overall this was a decent performance that will increase confidence amongst the players. Canvey now have a tricky tie at home to Ridgeons Premier side Lowestoft Town in the next round.

Oyster Fleet Man of the Match:

STEVE CORBELL: Excellent first goal and had a great game on the left wing. Influential in the second goal.

Match report by David Powell.