Match Report

Canvey Island’s long unbeaten run finally came to an end as they were beaten 1-0 by second placed AFC Sudbury at Park Lane. In front of an excellent crowd of just over 450, a superb strike from Sudbury substitute Darren Bethell in the third minute of injury time won a tight contest spoilt by a strong swirling wind that made any good football almost impossible.

Despite this defeat, Canvey will take heart from a spirited performance in which they edged the game in terms of possession and chances created.

The Gulls with the wind to their advantage, dominated a first half of very few clear cut chances.
They won a number of free kicks and corners in good positions but the Sudbury defence held firm clearing their lines superbly. Nicky Rugg and Leon Gordon were both working exceptionally hard up front but very few opportunities were falling their way.

At the other end, both Colin Wall and Kevin Dobinson were in fine form and rarely gave the Sudbury attackers a sniff of a chance during the first half although Stuart Boardley volleyed over for the visitors after 8 minutes.

On 18 minutes, Steve Corbell nearly got on the end of Leon Gordon’s right wing cross but it took until just before half time for Canvey to really test Sudbury keeper Nathan Munson.

They won a string of corners as they ended the half strongly. Munson punched away a swerving right wing corner by Corbell and then from the resulting corner from Gordon, the ball fell loose to Wall whose cross was pushed away from danger by Munson with the Canvey attackers loitering.
With the wind increasing slightly in the second half, Sudbury began to edge the game but rarely tested Mel Capleton in the Canvey goal.

Gabriel Fanibuyan had a sniff of a chance on 48 minutes when Daniel Francis’ right wing cross nearly picked him out at the far post but Sheridan Driver did enough to get a block in.

On 55 minutes, Sudbury could have gone down to ten men when Gordon’s run towards goal was halted by David Head on the edge of the area. As the last man, the Sudbury skipper could certainly have received a red card but the referee decided a booking was enough.

From the resulting free kick, Corbell curled his shot high over the bar.

Soon afterwards, Capleton did well to hold a powerful free kick from Boardley.

Sudbury made a couple of changes but by now the game was getting rather scrappy and seemed to be heading towards a draw.

James Rowe did well on 77 minutes to get down the right wing and send in a dangerous low cross that flashed across the goal mouth with nobody able to get that important final touch.

Substitute Luke Hammond tried his luck from nearly 40 yards on 86 minutes with a free kick that dipped high and wide of Capleton’s goal.

As the game approached its’ conclusion, Canvey attacked with more urgency but Corbell’s corner was cleared and it was Sudbury who snatched victory with a superb goal.

A loose ball dropped to Darren Bethell on the right wing who took a couple of touches before unleashing a powerful thirty yard drive that dipped over Capleton and into the net.

It was a cruel way for Canvey to lose the match but a great goal to win any game.

The final whistle was greeted with great delight by the Sudbury travelling support with Canvey going away feeling that they deserved at least a draw.

Despite defeat, Canvey will be encouraged by a hard working and committed display and credit must go to both sides who produced an entertaining game in difficult conditions.

Canvey are in action on Tuesday night in the Thames-side Trophy before playing Witham in the league at Park Lane next weekend.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match:

COLIN WALL:   Rock solid at the back winning numerous tackles and headers.

Match Report by David Powell.