Match Report

Canvey picked up an excellent three points with a 2-1 victory at league leaders AFC Sudbury in this Ryman Division One North match. Sudbury began the day on top of the division on goal difference after winning all of their opening four games but despite taking an early lead, were undone by a spirited and well organised Canvey side who could have scored more than their two goals.

In front of a crowd of over 400, Canvey produced a display of solid defending and took their chances when they came along. Canvey started brightly and were on the attack right from the off but ended up conceding the first goal against the run of play.

The Gulls’ defence failed to clear a cross from the left and the ball fell to Andy Claydon who fired an angled shot into the bottom corner beyond Ricky Wiseman after 13 minutes.
Canvey seemed stunned by this goal and Wiseman had to come to the rescue to deny the Sudbury forward soon after saving at his feet. Backed by an exceptionally vocal Yellow Army, Canvey worked their way back into the game taking the game to the opposition.

They grabbed an excellent equaliser on 23 minutes. Canvey won a free kick on the left hand corner of the penalty area. Steve Corbell stepped up and curled an excellent effort into the corner of the net with keeper Nathan Munson beaten at his near post. Canvey were back in the game and competing well for all the loose balls and stopping the Sudbury midfield and attack from making any real headway in the game.

Kevin Dobinson was booked for a fierce challenge but came back to haunt Sudbury a couple of minutes later. A corner from the right was inch perfect for the Canvey midfielder who scored with a powerful header to give Canvey a 2-1 half time lead.

The goal sent the Yellow Army into raptures and they upped the noise levels in the second half when they congregated in The Shed where most of Sudbury’s vocal support was based. It made for a tremendous and friendly atmosphere as both sets of fans got behind their teams in a nail-biting second half.

Sudbury dominated possession but could not break down a Canvey defence with Dave Kreyling and Andrew West in fine form. James Rowe curled an effort just over at the start of the second half as Sudbury looked for a way back into the game but Canvey remained threatening. Nicky Rugg lobbed an effort just over with the keeper beaten and Jay Curran remained a lively presence.

Sudbury nearly got back into the game 15 minutes from the end with a deflected effort that seemed to be creeping into the net. Ricky Wiseman was luckily able to keep the shot out.
With the referee playing a huge amount of injury time, it made for a tense end to the game. Sudbury’s efforts to break down Canvey were proving fruitless and the Gulls finished the game strongly. Jay Curran may have sealed the points in stoppage time but blazed too high and wide when a good chance fell to him.

In the end Canvey held on for a great victory that will boost confidence amongst players and management. They defended well and took their chances when they came. Sudbury will more than likely be amongst the frontrunners come the end of season so Gulls can take great satisfaction from a well earned three points.

Yellow’s Man of the Match

KEVIN DOBINSON: A commanding display in midfield capped off by a fine headed goal.

Match report by David Powell.