Match Report

Canvey picked up a useful away point from a goalless draw with Wingate & Finchley but will come away from the game feeling they did enough to gain all three points. They dominated the first half but found Wingate’s defence in uncompromising mood with their number 5 Billy Amarteifio having an outstanding game. He won everything at the back and was in commanding form especially in a second half in which Canvey were unable to break down a solid Wingate rearguard.

The Yellow Army made up over half of the 150 attendance and made themselves heard right from the start.

It was Canvey who started the brighter with Ryan Edgar forcing keeper Ed Thompson into a low save after 5 minutes. Canvey then won a string of corners. George Blewer volleyed an effort just too high and wide and Clyde Roberts saw a shot just curl wide of the upright.

After a bit of a lull in proceedings Canvey finished the half strongly. It seemed it was going to be one of those nights when Nicky Rugg’s shot from the corner of the area seemed to be destined for the net. Instead it came back off the post and was cleared to safety.

Wingate were defending tenaciously and made several fine blocks when goal-scoring opportunities seemed likely. Edgar saw a free kick deflected wide as Canvey tried to snatch a goal before the end of the half.

Canvey supporters at half time would have been encouraged by the team’s dominance and would have hoped for more of the same in the second period. Unfortunately Gulls just couldn’t repeat this in a rather scrappy second half. They started to play long ball as their patience started to wear thin but found the Wingate defence soaking everything up and stifling any creativity Canvey had. Kevin Dobinson saw a spectacular volleyed shot from fully 30 yards arrow just too high and then he nearly repeated the trick a few moments later with a low drive.

That was as good as it got for Canvey in the second half as they struggled to find the rhythm they had shown in the first half.
With the game getting rather scrappy and a bit niggly, Wingate started to come a bit more into the game as an attacking force. Ricky Wiseman had to make several great interceptions as Wingate’s speedy forwards threatened to embarrass the Canvey backline on a couple of occasions. Luckily Dave Kreyling and Andrew West were in decent form.

Wingate may have snatched victory when Stolerman headed Craig Scotcher’s cross against the bar with 10 minutes left.

Jay Curran came on for Leon Gordon but was unable to change things. He volleyed an effort into the car park and was then booked for an altercation with a Wingate player. George Blewer and Leon Gordon were also booked in the second half.

Craig Davidson came on for the injured Chris Bourne and did well in his 12 minutes on the pitch. The other sub Colin Wall played his part making a superb challenge to win the ball to halt a particularly threatening Wingate break in the last few minutes.

In the end Canvey had to be content with a draw. They will feel slightly disappointed as a promising first half was not built on and they certainly created some good chances to have won the game in the first half. Credit must go to Wingate who stifled the Canvey attack and midfield to such an extent that the Gulls resorted to long ball and long range shooting in the second half.
Some positives to be taken out of tonight was another clean sheet was kept as the defence rarely looked trouble. Dave Kreyling in particular had an excellent game. Once again the Yellow Army were excellent in their support and should make a colourful and noisy contribution to every ground they visit this season.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

DAVE KREYLING: Solid game at the back. Rarely put a foot wrong in a commanding display.

Match Report By David Powell