Match Report

Canvey Island produced a stunning attacking display in thrashing Aveley 6-1 at Mill Field as they extended their unbeaten run to 4 league matches. Canvey dominated the game from the first whistle and despite losing goalkeeper Mel Capleton and forward Danny Curran to injuries in the first half, the Gulls were never really troubled and could have quite easily achieved double figures but for better finishing. Nicky Rugg was the star of the show bagging a hat-trick.

They created the first chance after just two minutes when some slick passing football involving Craig Davidson found Leon Gordon in some space. Aveley goalkeeper Ronnie Worster did well to block the shot from close range with his feet at his near post.

On 11 minutes, Canvey made their early pressure tell by scoring the opening goal of the match. Ryan Edgar’s shot from outside the area was blocked by a defender but deflected into the path of Danny Curran. Curran knocked the ball on for Nicky Rugg who turned and fired home past Worster from inside the area.

Despite Canvey’s pressure, Aveley did cause them one or two problems. On 15 minutes, Shahed Ahmed weaved his way through the Gulls’ defence but Capleton came out well to spread himself and block his shot. Moments later Canvey should have made it 2-0 when Chris Bourne’s fine chipped cross from the left found the head of Danny Curran. Somehow Worster managed to save the effort from point blank range with his legs.

Canvey lost goalkeeper Mel Capleton on 19 minutes through injury and his replacement Ricky Wiseman was soon called into action as Aveley started to get a bit of a foothold in the game.
They threatened occasionally from set pieces and the pace of Ainsley Gasper at times troubled the Canvey rearguard of Colin Wall, Jon Stuart and Andrew West during this period.

Gasper managed to find some space in the box after a long pass had found him on 32 minutes but he blazed over from the right hand side of the penalty area.This was as good as it got for Aveley and it served as a wake up call for Canvey. Danny Curran picked up an injury and was replaced by Ian Luck on 39 minutes and Canvey’s top scorer started to worry the Millers’ defence with his pace and unpredictability.

Down the flanks, Canvey were extremely dangerous with both Leon Gordon and Chris Bourne tormenting the full backs time after time. In midfield Ryan Edgar and Gabriel Fanibuyan were both strong and creative with Craig Davidson intelligently prompting the play from his position just in front of the defence.

As half time approached, Canvey piled on the pressure sensing another goal. Colin Wall’s header on 41 minutes came back off the underside of the bar and dropped into Worster’s grateful arms after an excellent right wing corner from Gordon had picked out the tall defender in the box.
Jon Stuart headed just off target from another excellent Gordon delivery a few minutes later before finally Canvey gained the second goal that their pressure had deserved on the stroke of half time.

Chris Bourne again did superbly to beat his man down the left. His low drilled cross was flicked on by Rugg and bounced rather fortuitously off Ian Luck’s thigh, deceiving Worster who could not prevent the ball from entering the net.

Canvey virtually had the game killed off within the first ten minutes of the second half as two quick-fire goals ended any resistance Aveley might have. On 48 minutes, Bourne did well again to beat the defender on the left flank and drill in a low cross that Aveley captain Glen Golby could only turn into his own net under pressure from Nicky Rugg.

Then six minutes later the lead was increased when after a goal mouth scramble, Luck’s shot was blocked and fell conveniently to Gabriel Fanibuyan who hammered home past Worster for his first competitive goal for the club.

Canvey were playing some exhibition football now and looked likely to increase the score-line either further. Ian Luck had a decent penalty shout turned down when it seemed he was pulled down in the box on 63 minutes.

Aveley did restore some pride grabbing a consolation goal on 75 minutes. Gasper’s shot struck a post and fell to Ryan Imbert who fired the rebound home past Wiseman. Canvey though were intent on finishing with a flourish and after a couple of near misses they bagged two goals in the final few minutes to complete a comprehensive victory.

The first came on 88 minutes when Jon Stuart flicked on substitute Daniel Francis’ right wing corner into the path of Nicky Rugg who had an easy tap in. Then in injury time Rugg completed his hat-trick latching on to a cross from the right to fire home past Worster at the near post.

The final whistle went shortly after to complete a fine Canvey performance.

After a slow start to the season Canvey seem to be finding their form and now are nicely positioned in 5th place in the Ryman One North table. They take a break from league action next Saturday when they begin their FA Trophy campaign at home to fellow Ryman One North side Wingate & Finchley.

Man of The Match

Nicky Rugg: A well taken hattrick by the clinical striker.