Match Report

Canvey Island extended their unbeaten run to 4 matches in Ryman Division One North with a convincing 3-0 win over Witham Town at Park Lane. In front of a crowd of 359, Canvey dominated from start to finish and only a combination of weak finishing and some inspired keeping by Witham’s Stuart Crumpton stopped Canvey from racking up a cricket score.

Throughout they played some excellent attacking football and were solid in defence keeping their third clean sheet in a row. This was certainly one of Canvey’s most impressive displays so far this season. Canvey were on the attack right from the off and Leon Gordon should have put them ahead on 9 minutes but somehow managed to put a free header wide after an excellent cross from the right wing.

Steve Corbell was having a lively start to the game and was the next to test Crumpton. His powerful strike at the far post was beaten away by the keeper with nobody able to get on the end of the rebound. Minutes later Corbell got on the end of Leon Gordon’s corner but his header was spectacularly pushed away by Crumpton.

Crumpton nearly gifted Canvey a goal on 29 minutes when his punch out fell straight to Jay Curran. Curran instinctively struck a chipped shot towards goal that seemed to be dropping under the crossbar until Kaan Hawes headed off the line. A minute later and Ryan Edgar exploded into life with a powerful run that saw a low shot from the edge of the area parried by the keeper. Gordon was quick to anticipate the rebound but a defender managed to get in a block to deny a goal.

Ricky Wiseman and the Canvey back four had very little to do and the only time Wiseman was ever really called into action was from backpasses and a couple of set pieces. The Canvey rearguard of George Blewer, Dave Kreyling, Jon Stuart and Craig Davidson were solid throughout and never really tested.

At half time though, Canvey must have been wondering why they wasn’t in front. They continued where they left off in the first half probing the Witham goal for openings.
Eventually on 56 minutes they found the breakthrough. Dave Kreyling headed down a right wing cross at the back post straight into the path of Leon Gordon who swept the ball home instinctively.

Canvey were up and running and piled forward looking for the second goal that would kill the game. Jay Curran’s shot on the turn was held well by the keeper but on 62 minutes Canvey were further in front. Leon Gordon put in a perfect delivery from his left wing corner and the ball found the head of Dave Kreyling who scored with a bullet header at the near post.

Canvey were rampant now with Edgar and Clyde Roberts bossing the midfield and Lee Jay tormenting the full back down the right. Jay thumped a shot high and wide after an exciting run down the right.

On 71 minutes, Canvey killed the contest with their third goal. From a corner, Jon Stuart’s near post header seemed to be handled on the line by a Witham defender. The rebound fell perfectly to Jay Curran who buried his shot from a few yards out. Curran was booked a few minutes afterwards and as a precaution was replaced by Nicky Rugg. Matt Reade also came on for Steve Corbell with 10 minutes to go and both subs were soon involved in the action.

Rugg burst clear down the right and his cross was inch perfect for Reade who was coming in at the near post. Somehow he blazed his shot wide with the goal gaping.
Reade nearly redeemed himself minutes before the end with a sublime effort. After teasing the full back on the left his lobbed effort appeared to be heading for the top corner until Crumpton got up to punch the ball over.

It was exhibition stuff from Canvey now as even Dave Kreyling took a turn to play left wing! Canvey nearly added the icing on the cake when Stuart Batch on as a substitute picked out Leon Gordon with a magnificent pass but like he did in the first half, Gordon’s header was directed poorly off target. Nevertheless Gordon was superb throughout and thoroughly deserved his man of the match award.

A 3-0 victory will boost Canvey’s confidence even further and although they remain in 8th place they are just 3 points behind Bury Town in third place.

John Batch’s young side seem to have grown in confidence over the last few weeks after an inconsistent run of results. If they can reproduce the sort of performance shown today consistently over the next couple of weeks, then they may well have a say in the promotion race come the New Year.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match:

LEON GORDON:  Run his heart out for the entire game and a constant irritation to the opposition. Took his goal well.

Match Report by David Powell.