Match Report

Canvey Island went down to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Park Lane to Bury Town despite leading at half time. Canvey dominated much of the game but two goals in three minutes in the second half gave Bury Town the vital three points.

Canvey will feel aggrieved by the decision of referee Mr Harris not to send off Bury Town goalkeeper Dean Greygoose for handball outside the penalty area and preventing Ian Luck a goal-scoring opportunity on 20 minutes. Although Canvey scored from the resulting free kick, Greygoose was to prove a thorn in Canvey’s side as he made a series of excellent saves to keep the Gulls at bay.
Canvey started the game in positive fashion and Danny Curran forced Greygoose into an early save after he twisted past a defender and fired a shot in from inside the area after 5 minutes.

Ricky Wiseman had to be alert in the Canvey goal after 10 minutes doing well to parry an effort from the left hand side of the box. On the counter attack Bury looked a threat at times and on occasions the Canvey defence gave them too much space to work openings especially on the right flank.bNevertheless it was still Canvey creating the better chances and a good move on 16 minutes saw Ian Luck lay the ball off to Curran but he fired his shot straight at Greygoose.

Canvey eventually took the lead on 21 minutes but in controversial fashion. Dean Greygoose came racing from his goal to block an effort from Luck with his hands about a yard outside the penalty area. After much deliberation the referee gave Greygoose only a yellow card when a sending off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity looked inevitable. From the resulting free kick, Canvey captain Craig Davidson slammed a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Canvey were off and running but still looked nervous at the back. Sam Reed fired over a knockdown from just a few yards out when it seemed easier to hit the target on 26 minutes. Ian Luck had a great chance to give Canvey a 2-0 lead going into the break but when clean through on goal, he elected to try and round the keeper and Greygoose was able to take the ball off his toe.

Reed fired another effort just over the bar shortly afterwards and right on the stroke of half time it was Danny Curran’s turn to be denied by Greygoose, this time the veteran goalkeeper parrying an effort for a corner at his near post after Curran had broke through down the right flank.

Both goalkeepers were having excellent games and it was Ricky Wiseman’s turn to produce a good save right at the start of the second half. Daniel Cornwell’s half volley from the edge of the area appeared to be going into the net until Wiseman managed to fingertip the ball around the post for a corner.

It was still Canvey though who were creating the better clear cut chances with both Daniel Francis and Gabriel Fanibuyan looking lively in the midfield. Curran had another good chance on 54 minutes but his header from Chris Bourne’s superb left wing cross was directed straight at Greygoose.

Despite Canvey’s attacking promise, Bury always looked a threat and with the Gulls struggling to clear their lines at times it was Bury who snatched an equaliser on 64 minutes with a decisive counter attack. After clearing a corner, a cross-field ball was played to Daniel Cornwell in space down the left wing. Craig Davidson managed to hold the forward up as he headed towards goal but could only watch as Cornwell curled a superbly placed shot from the corner of the area beyond Wiseman and into the net off the crossbar.

Worse was to follow 2 minutes later when Bury snatched the lead. A poor clearance fell to Sam Nunn who fired home from the edge of the area through a crowd of players. Canvey made an instant response by bringing on Jay Curran for Ian Luck and Curran was involved in the action almost immediately. Matt Reade’s powerful drive from outside the box was deflected by Curran’s head on to the bar with the goalkeeper beaten.

Despite Danny Curran’s best promptings, Canvey just couldn’t find a way through. Fanibuyan skied an effort at the far post and on numerous occasions there was a Bury player there to clear the danger as Canvey dominated possession but couldn’t pick their way through a tight Bury rearguard.

With Greygoose confidently dealing with high balls into the box, Bury held out for the three points.
Canvey slip down to tenth in the table but have a great chance to bounce back from this defeat with an Essex Senior Cup tie against Heybridge Swifts at Park Lane on Tuesday night followed up by a crucial FA Trophy game away to Brentwood on the following Saturday.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match :

DANNY CURRAN:  Instigated some of Canvey’s best attacking moves and showed great skill at times. Worked hard despite struggling with an injury near the end of the game.

Match Report by David Powell.