Match Report

Canvey Island’s impressive unbeaten run was extended to 11 matches in all competitions with an impressive 2-0 victory over fellow play off contenders Brentwood at the Brentwood Arena.

Canvey now move into the play off positions with this victory leap-frogging both Edgware Town and Redbridge into 4th place.

They dominated much of this game, taking their chances when they came as well as defending solidly with both Kevin Dobinson and George Blewer once again having excellent games.

Canvey started brightly making all of the early running. After just three minutes, Nicky Rugg tested keeper Marc Palmer with a low drive that he did well to push away.

A few minutes later and Palmer fumbled a left wing cross back into the goalmouth. Fortunately for him the Brentwood defence was able to get in a couple of important blocks in the resulting scramble to keep the score level.

Gabriel Fanibuyan replaced the injured Jay Curran up front and despite not being fully fit, enjoyed an excellent game and did well on 14 minutes to knock the ball down to Rugg in space. Rugg though fired an angled shot across goal and wide of the target.

Minutes later and Canvey were ahead. Fanibuyan received the ball on the left hand side of the area and showed good strength and skill to hold off a couple of defenders and then lay the ball off to Leon Gordon in space. Gordon drilled a low shot into the corner of the net beyond Palmer.

Brentwood inevitably responded by putting the Canvey defence under some pressure. Despite some good build up play by both Danny Carroll and Lee Noble at times, they found the Canvey defence working as a solid unit with both Dobinson and Andrew West clearing the danger with a calm assurance.

Their best opportunity of the half fell to Carroll on 32 minutes but after picking up a miscued clearance on the edge of the box, his shot just cleared the crossbar.

James Russell had to be sharp on a number of occasions to come off his line to pick up loose balls but the on loan keeper was rarely tested in the first half and also impressed with his kicking and distribution.

Canvey finished the half on the attack and satisfied with their night’s work so far.

Brentwood replaced Rikki Holmes with Joao Carlos at half time and they started the second period strongly. Carlos’ skill and direct running was posing a few problems for the Canvey defence and after the tricky winger was fouled, Russell did well to help the resulting long range free kick from Terry Scotchmer over the bar on 53 minutes.

Russell then did well to get down and hold a low drive but Canvey defended this period of pressure very well and always looked dangerous on the counter attack.

Some great persistence and skill by Fanibuyan down the right wing saw him nearly pick out Steve Corbell at the near post but Corbell was unable to control the ball.

Then on 64 minutes some good play by Blewer and Gordon down the right saw Corbell firing Gordon’s cross high over the bar at the far post.

Canvey only had to wait a further 7 minutes to increase their lead after a fine attacking move. Rugg released Corbell down the left and his fine cross to the near post was bundled home by Fanibuyan much to the delight of the travelling Yellow Army.

Canvey thought they had added a third soon after but Gordon’s lob over the keeper was ruled out for offside.

Brentwood to their credit responded well winning a string of corners but the Canvey defence provided a stubborn resistance.

From Lee Noble’s left wing corner, Jon Whittaker got a header in on goal but Richard Halle did brilliantly to clear it on the line.

After this brief attacking flurry, Brentwood heads seemed to go down and Canvey finished the game the stronger side.

Corbell did brilliantly on 85 minutes to keep the ball in play on the left and find Rugg who couldn’t quite turn the ball home.

The Gulls finished the game comfortably to seal the three points that they thoroughly deserved for a professional but classy display.

Canvey are next in action on Saturday when they travel to bottom of the table Ilford.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

GABRIEL FANIBUYAN:  Despite not being fully fit he terrorised the Brentwood defence with his skill and pace and scored the second goal.

Match Report by David Powell.