Match Report

Canvey’s interest in the Westview Ryman League Cup came to an end with an emphatic 4-0 defeat away to a strong AFC Hornchurch line up. Canvey played mainly a squad team with the likes of Glen Johnson, Danny Lamb, Matt Reade and Charlie Parker getting a chance to shine. Despite their endeavour they were no match for a strong Urchins side who played some excellent attacking football and could have won by more but for some excellent keeping by Glen Johnson.
Canvey did start brightly but were gradually forced back by Hornchurch.

Johnson made a great save to deny Simon Parker but Hornchurch eventually took the lead on 23 minutes. A cross from former Canvey trialist Mark Janney was only half cleared and Gary Cross smashed the loose ball home. The lead was extended 6 minutes later when Jon Stuart handled a left wing cross in the box and Janney stepped up to make it 2-0. There were very few complaints from the Canvey players over the penalty award.

It was almost non stop Urchins’ pressure now as they looked to kill the game off before half time. Many supporters would have been heading to the bar for a well earned drink when Hornchurch notched their third. Cross grabbed his second goal of the game when he managed to get a touch to Kris Lee’s cross.

Canvey were beaten but to their credit battled hard in the second half. Assistant manager Gary Britnell came on in the second half as well as young reserve Nick Reynolds as Canvey looked to restore some pride. Hornchurch though continued to dominate and a fourth goal was almost inevitable. That goal came on 68 minutes with Cross grabbing his hat-trick after a period of sustained pressure. Johnson saved his first effort but couldn’t prevent the follow up.

At 4-0 the game was all but over for Canvey. They still had time to possibly grab a consolation and they might have done this when Steve Corbell’s superb curling free kick from 30 yards was turned over the bar brilliantly by Dale Brightly. Andrew West was also lucky to receive just a yellow card when he pulled back Parker as he attempted to burst through in injury time. West appeared to be the last man but received a yellow card.

So Canvey’s interest in this competition came to a premature end but they’ll be keen to get back to winning ways when they face Lowestoft Town in a crucial FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie on Saturday.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

GLEN JOHNSON: A decent game in goal and made some excellent saves that kept the score-line respectable.

Match Report by David Powell.