Match Report

Canvey Island made further progress in the FA Trophy with a 3-1 win over Horsham YMCA at Gorings Mead. This victory sealed them a place in Monday’s Second Qualifying Round draw and despite making hard work of their victory, they were good value for their win after dominating for long periods.

The Gulls backed by a vociferous Yellow Army took the lead after just 2 minutes when Leon Gordon fired home from inside the box. It was virtually all Canvey at this stage and Gordon was terrorising the Horsham defence with his direct running. A good move saw Gordon set up Daniel Francis for a shot that the winger fired just over the bar.

It was Horsham who stunned Canvey on 12 minutes with an unexpected equaliser. Andy Ottley’s left wing corner found Matt Duffield who came through a crowd of players to head past Ricky Wiseman.

Despite this shock, Canvey continued to look the better team and Colin Wall was unfortunate to see his header from a left wing corner cleared off of the line on 19 minutes. It was then Craig Davidson’s turn to have a couple of shooting efforts. Firstly on 27 minutes he curled a shot just too high and wide from the edge of the area after a good lay off from Danny Curran and then from a similar position he volleyed a clever flick from Gabriel Fanibuyan over the bar.

Despite Canvey’s dominance, Horsham YMCA were a threat occasionally on the counter attack especially from set pieces where the Canvey defence seemed a bit nervy at times. Michael Death should have done better on 38 minutes volleying a presentable chance wide at the far post when it seemed easier to score.

At half time Canvey would have been frustrated with the score-line and they started the second half a little sluggishly as Horsham made all the early running. Ricky Wiseman had to produce a fine reaction save on 50 minutes to keep out a header from an excellent right wing free kick by Alex Keaney but gradually Canvey started to regain their grip on the game.

With Daniel Francis and Gabriel Fanibuyan a growing influence in the midfield, Canvey once again started to test the Horsham YMCA defence. It was a moment of class from Gabriel Fanibuyan that gave them the lead on 63 minutes.

The talented midfielder picked up the ball just outside the penalty area, dribbled past a couple of tackles as he headed towards goal and then curled a fine low effort beyond Ken Westerby and into the net.

Canvey never looked back after this goal and virtually sealed victory two minutes later. A fine pass released Leon Gordon down the right wing and his cross was turned home from a few yards by Danny Curran.

At 3-1 the contest was as good as over but Canvey continued to hunt for the fourth goal. Ian Luck volleyed an effort straight into the keeper’s mid-drift on 74 minutes and the fresh legs of substitutes Matt Reade, Jay Curran and Stuart Batch provided the Gulls with the impetus to see the game out reasonably comfortably.

They did have a scare on 78 minutes though when Wiseman fumbled a cross straight to the Horsham forward. Luckily Wiseman did enough to put the forward off who fired wide of the target. A goal at this time would have made the remaining few minutes a bit uncomfortable for Canvey.

They finished the game on the offensive with Gabriel Fanibuyan skying an effort over the bar after a superb flick from Francis had set him up and then Jay Curran curling an effort just too high and wide from Matt Reade’s knock back.

So Canvey are through to the next round and despite making heavy weather of their victory at times they still managed to play some good attacking football.

They resume league activities next Saturday when they play Bury Town at Park Lane.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

LEON GORDON:  A good finish for the opening goal and ran the Horsham YMCA defence ragged down the right wing.

Match Report by David Powell.