Match Report

Canvey Island progressed through to the second round of the Thames-side Trophy with a 2-1 win over near neighbours Concord Rangers at Thames Road. The Gulls edged this Canvey derby in front of a crowd of 274 although their Essex Senior League opponents will feel they were unlucky not to take the game to extra time.

With Canvey having an important league game away to Redbridge at the weekend, manager John Batch decided to rest several key players and give a couple of young reserves their first taste of first team football.

Victor Okisor and Kieran English in particular impressed up front with their work-rate and first touch whilst Jordan Mumford had a composed game at the back.

Concord created the first chance of the game after 7 minutes but an effort from a right wing cross was blazed over the bar at the far post.

Gradually Canvey settled down and began to control the game with Craig Davidson instigating some of their best moves from the centre of the park. They took the lead on 25 minutes. A left wing corner into the area caused a scramble in the box and Andrew West was able to poke the ball home from close range.

Concord attempted to find a way back into the game but despite Danny Heale’s best promptings, James Russell was relatively untroubled in the Canvey goal for the rest of the half. He watched as a speculative shot from outside the area went wide of the target on 32 minutes and then a dangerous cross from the left went across the goalmouth with nobody able to apply a finishing touch.

Canvey’s defence was keeping the Concord attack at bay with George Blewer in particular having a fine game.

Canvey began the second half in positive fashion and the determination of Okisor and English proved a real headache for the Rangers’ defence and won Canvey several set pieces in dangerous situations.

Chris Bourne nearly added to the score line on 50 minutes with a sublime chip from 20 yards that appeared to be dropping under the crossbar until goalkeeper Phil Skelton managed to turn the ball over for a corner.

John Turnbull replaced captain Dan Trenkel for Concord and a few moments later, they were aggrieved to have not been given a penalty when their forward went down in the box as he attempted to finish a goal-scoring chance.

Canvey responded with an attack of their own and Skelton had to be brave to go down and claim a loose ball from Colin Wall’s header with English loitering in close attendance.

Canvey up until now had reasonably been in control but had failed to gain the killer second goal and Concord started to believe they could nick an equaliser. They should have got this on 77 minutes but Russell somehow flung himself across goal to tip over a header that seemed destined for the net.

From the resulting right wing corner, player manager Danny Scopes scored after a goalmouth scramble. With their tails up, Concord took the game to Canvey and should have won the match four minutes from time. The forward broke on to a through pass but with just Russell to beat he fired his shot into the side netting.

It was to prove to be a costly miss as just as extra time seemed inevitable, Canvey snatched the winner in stoppage time. Kieran English had already showed a moment of good skill playing in a fine first time cross that Bourne was unable to control at the far post.

Moments later Skelton fumbled a routine ball into the box straight to the feet of English who showed great tenacity to reach the loose ball and then show his composure as he rifled his shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Soon after the whistle blew to seal a hard fought victory for the Gulls and further progression in a competition that they will feel they are fully capable of winning.

Gulls now travel to Redbridge this coming weekend for a crucial league encounter.

Yellow’s Man of the Match

KIERON ENGLISH:   An impressive first team debut for the young reserve capped by a real poacher’s goal.

Match report by David Powell