Match Report

Canvey Island maintained their unbeaten run with a comfortable 3-1 win over bottom club Ilford at Cricklefield Stadium.

The Gulls are now unbeaten in 12 league and cup matches and maintain 4th spot in the league.

They had to battle for this victory as a strong swirling wind and a bumpy pitch made it very difficult for them to play their normal passing game. Once they got into their stride, Canvey ran out comfortable winners to seal three points that takes them a step closer to a play off place.

With the wind to their advantage Ilford dominated the first half but despite their possession, they rarely created anything of any real note.

James Russell in the Canvey goal had to be alert to claim a couple of loose balls but for the most part, Ilford lacked a creative edge with the Canvey defence clearing their lines well. Kevin Dobinson had another solid game at the back and George Blewer was once again impressive at right back. Ricky Hayles tested Russell on 27 minutes with a low drive that the on loan keeper saved comfortably but shooting opportunities were few and far between in a dour first half.

Gabriel Fanibuyan showed occasional flashes of class but Canvey were struggling to get to grips with the windy conditions.

The second half was a different story as with the wind starting to ease, Canvey began to show their class and exert some pressure on the Ilford goal.

Both Leon Gordon and Steve Corbell were finding space on the wings and with Richard Halle and Ryan Edgar bossing the midfield, Canvey began to create goal-scoring opportunities.

They nearly took the lead on the hour mark when Ilford keeper James Marrable made a good reaction save to keep out Dobinson’s header with the rebound being cleared for a corner.

They didn’t have to wait long to take the lead though. Fanibuyan ran on to an excellent through pass from Gordon and as Marrable came off his line to close him down, the skilful midfielder sent a precise lob from outside the penalty area over the keeper and into the net.

The lead lasted barely a minute though as sloppy play from Canvey allowed Ilford an unexpected equaliser. Russell saved a shot but couldn’t hold on to it and the rebound was fired home from close range by Petric Elbi.

Canvey though responded well and within two minutes were ahead again. Corbell did well to play the ball in to the box from the left and Fanibuyan was able to poke the ball home at the near post. Minutes later and Ilford’s cause was not helped by the dismissal of Paul Olima for violent conduct after stamping on Corbell.

Ilford still posed a slight threat to the Canvey goal on occasions and Hayles should have done better when an Earl Sterling free kick from deep fell to him in the area but he sliced his effort wide of the target.

Ilford really should have grabbed an equaliser on 78 minutes when Petric Elbi evaded both Dobinson and Andrew West in reaching a long ball but with just Russell to beat from close range he snatched at his attempted lob and watched it sail waywardly off target.

It proved to be a costly miss as a minute later, Canvey sealed the game with a goal of real class. Gordon did superbly to burst down the right wing and then from right near the byline play in a superb cross that Rugg headed home at the near post.

The game was as good as over now and Canvey played out the remaining ten minutes plus stoppage time quite comfortably.

The Gulls are next in league action next weekend when 2nd placed AFC Sudbury visit Park Lane for what promises to be a mouth-watering fixture.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

GABRIEL FANIBUYAN:  Lit up a poor game with two well taken goals.

Match Report by David Powell.