Match Report

Canvey Island were dumped out of the Isthmian League Cup away to Maidstone United, the hosts finishing 5-2 victors. However, on another night and with a bit of luck on our side things could have been a lot different. However, Maidstone took their chances well, and John Batch will consider an injury free game as somewhat of a result.

The game started fairly evenly, thought the first major chance fell to Ray Freeman for the hosts. With Canvey's defence at odds and ends, Freeman rose to head a fairly simple goal scoring opportunity over the bar. However, as he landed his head seemed to catch the swinging foot of a Canvey defender causing a lenghty stoppage. He was replaced by Ashley Ulph out of caution, and thankfully Freeman was able to walk away from the incident seemingly unscathed.

4 minutes later however and Maidstone scored the goal they should have moments earlier. A low, hard shot from the right of the box was saved by Ricky Wiseman, but he was unable to hold the ball. This left Luis Cumbers with a simple tap in to open the free scoing that the game was to see.

The next 25 minutes were all Canvey as they went looking for the equaliser. On 19 minutes, a left wing cross was pumped in towards top scorer Ian Luck. A good defensive header cleared the danger momentarily, though the ball fell the Danny Francis just outside the box. Francis hit a sweet half volley that completely deceived the goalkeeper Pat Mullin, though fortunately for him the ball struck his head and was eventually cleared.

8 minutes later and it was Francis again who was causing Maidstone problems. After beating two players down the right wing, he was able to ghost into the box and feed Gabriel Fanibuyan. Gab's shot struck the keeper without him knowing too much about it, though this time the goal threat could not be extinguished immediately. The ball fell to Leon Gordon, though his shot was also saved by Mullin.

Mullin would prove to be the saviour again 2 minutes later, this time pulling off a fabulous one handed save. After the referee had awarded Canvey a free kick about 25 yards out, Ryan Edgar drove the ball firmly towards goal. A deflection off of the wall diverted the ball's path, though Mullin watched it well and was able to tip the ball around his left post.

The pressure was really being piled on by Canvey now, and on 34 minutes the equaliser was scored by The Gulls. A long hopeful long ball by Canvey seemed to be homing in for a routine headed clearance by Chris Smalling. However, Smalling miscalculated the header and could only flick the ball into the path of Ian Luck who dribbled into the box before slotting home.

However, it was the hosts who lead at the break thanks to Andy Martin. Great work by Alex Tiesse down the left wing was followed up with a low ball across the face of goal that was well finished by Martin just before the half time whistle. This goal was slightly disappointing as the move had been set up initally by a throw in to Maidstone back in their half, when the ball didn't actuallty cross the line.

The second half started with Maidstone pushing for the third goal, something they achieved on 57th minute from the penalty spot. Canvey keeper Ricky Wiseman brought down the opposition player, though was perhaps a little lucky to get away with a yellow card. The penalty was duly converted by the impressive Alex Tiesse to make the score 3-1.

However, the key moment of the match came a minute later as Canvey had the ball in the net. A lovely back flick by Ian Luck set up Leon Gordon who smashed the ball into the roof of the net. With the defenders and goalkeeper preparing for the restart, the goal was eventually disallowed due to an apparent offside. Nobody really knew why the flag had been raised, and the blow of going 3-1 down and then having a goal scrubbed off seemed to demoralise the Canvey players.

Alex Tiesse put the hosts 4-1 up on 67 minutes, seeming to put the game beyond any doubt. Then with the Canvey players tiring rapidly, Tiesse turned to be provider as his right wing cross was met by an unmarked far post header by Luis Cumbers.

The last goal of the match however did go to Canvey, and to the deserving Chris Bourne. Nicky Rugg, a subsititute for Ian Luck 15 minutes earlier, found Bourne with a good pass, and he did the rest with a powerful 20 yard effort that nestled in the bottom right hand corner.

So, overall a heavy defeat for The Gulls and another cup exit. However, the introduction of Rob Lawrence into the first team was a positive move by John Batch, and with Dave Kreyling, Colin Wall, and Kevin Dobinson all injured he may feature more regularly over the coming matches. Had Leon Gordon's goal had been allowed to stand, the game at 3-2 at that stage could well have taken a different course. Saying that, good goalkeeping from Pat Mullin first half denied Canvey at least 3 goals, and Alex Tiesse upfront ran all night long and deserved his goals.

Man of The Match

DANNY FRANCIS: In only his second start, Francis caused the Maidstone left back no end of problems all evening.

Match Report by Glen Eckett