Goals from Leon Gordon and Gabriel Fanibuyan gave Canvey a 2-0 victory over a Metropolitan Police side visiting Park Lane for a pre season friendly.

Canvey dominated the game against their opponents from Ryman One South, playing some exciting attacking football with plenty of good passing and playing at a pace that opened up the opponent’s defence on numerous occasions.

In defence they also looked strong with Dave Kreyling and Daryl Bourgeois in particular having outstanding games.

Canvey took the game to the opposition right from the off. Both Daniel Francis and Leon Gordon were looking dangerous on the wings whilst the tenacity and movement of both Nicky Rugg and Ian Luck asked questions of the Met Police defence time after time.

With Gabriel Fanibuyan and Ryan Edgar showing great creativity and pace, a goal seemed almost inevitable.

After Leon Gordon volleyed an effort over, the winger got on the score sheet latching on to Edgar’s intelligent through pass to go on and fire home beyond the keeper after 10 minutes.

Canvey continued to attack at pace and really stretch the Met Police defence.

The Gulls did have a scare on 30 minutes when a free header was squandered at the near post after a left wing cross had found the forward completely unmarked. Ricky Wiseman had to be alert on a couple of occasions to race from his goal to reach loose balls but was generally well protected by Canvey’s back three.

Met Police did start to come into the game a little more at the start of the second half but never really threatened the Canvey goal despite winning free kicks in several decent positions.

Chris Bourne on for Daniel Francis showed great pace and skill to beat his man and play in a great left wing cross that the Met Police defence scrambled away with both Rugg and Luck poised to score on 48 minutes.

A few minutes later Nicky Rugg saw his shot deflected just wide as Canvey began to dominate again.

They sealed the game with a second goal of real class on the hour mark. Gabriel Fanibuyan latched on to a through pass but still had a lot of work to do. A quick turn of pace and his sheer strength left a couple of defenders for dead and he poked the ball past the keeper for a goal that left the Yellow Army in raptures and improves Fanibuyan’s growing reputation.

With Canvey making several substitutions the game began to drift towards its’ conclusion but with the Gulls very much on top and continuing to play some exhilarating football.

Clydie Roberts had now moved to the right wing from his position in centre midfield and was continually teasing the full back with some exciting runs.

With the likes of George Blewer, Matt Reade and Stuart Batch getting a run out, Canvey saw out the last twenty minutes or so relatively comfortably.

Chris Bourne may have scored a third with six minutes to go after cutting in from the left and unleashing a powerful drive that the keeper punched away from danger.

A fine passing move that involved virtually the whole Canvey 11 saw Jay Curran receive the ball in the penalty area but he was off balance when striking his volley and fired well over.

In the end it was a comfortable victory that had many positives and Canvey will now go to Clacton of the Ridgeons League on Saturday looking to build on a positive pre season thus far.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:
Daryl Bourgeois: Excellent game at the back, looked composed on the ball and read the game superbly.

Match Report by David Powell.