Match Report

Canvey Island got back to winning ways in the league with an excellent 1-0 win over Maldon Town at Park Lane. The Gulls produced a spirited display and deserved their win despite playing the final ten minutes with just ten men after Gabriel Fanibuyan was sent off for receiving a second yellow card.

Maldon featured former Canvey forward Ollie Berquez and ex Hornchurch striker Wayne Purser in their starting line-up but struggled to find a way through a solid Canvey backline in which Jon Stuart in particular was outstanding. The first 20 minutes or so were fairly uneventful as neither side created any real opportunities.

Maldon played some good passing football but at times their final ball was lacking and they found Stuart, Chris Bourne and Andrew West a stubborn rearguard in front of goalkeeper Ricky Wiseman.

The game sprung into life on 18 minutes when Gabriel Fanibuyan latched on to a fine through pass by Craig Davidson but dragged his shot inches wide of the far post from the right hand side of the penalty area.

Canvey had a great chance to take the lead on 27 minutes. Nicky Rugg flicked on a long ball to Danny Curran who was clearly dragged back in the box by Maldon captain Ollie Blackwell as he attempted to reach the loose ball. The referee had no hesitation but to award a penalty and show Blackwell a yellow card.

Craig Davidson stepped up but fired his penalty just wide of goalkeeper Darren Gould’s left hand post. Canvey didn’t allow this miss to affect them though and continued to battle well with Ryan Edgar having an assured game in midfield.

They did have a scare on 43 minutes when Purser escaped the attentions of Stuart but dragged his shot wide of the far post. Canvey finished the half on the offensive with Rugg nearly getting on the end of a fine chipped cross from the right by Fanibuyan but the Maldon defender anticipated the danger well to head clear.

Canvey started the second half in positive fashion with Daniel Francis beginning to show flashes of inspiration. On 49 minutes after a good run that took him past a couple of defenders, he fired in a low shot that Gould managed to parry. The rebound fell to Rugg but the angle was too acute and he could only fire the ball into the side-netting.

The Gulls though eventually took the lead on 60 minutes. Leon Gordon found acres of space on the right wing and played in a cross that deflected to Rugg. The striker’s near post volley was parried by Gould but fell conveniently to Danny Curran who chested the ball home from two yards out for the easiest goal he is ever likely to score.

Canvey’s confidence visibly increased and Francis nearly extended the lead on 66 minutes when a loose ball fell to him just outside the box but his low driven shot was flicked behind for a corner by Gould.

With time running out Maldon threw caution to the wind and began to attack in numbers. Their attractive passing game started to ask questions of the Canvey defence but as was shown against Brentwood on Saturday, Canvey are made of sterner stuff now and have developed a real backbone.

Matt Cutchey blazed across goal after James Robinson’s left wing cross had picked him out at the far post on 74 minutes and soon after Fanibuyan received his first booking for a foul.

Danny Curran flicked a header over from a Davidson free kick on 78 minutes but a minute later, things were looking a little grim for Canvey as Fanibuyan was rather harshly shown a second yellow card for not retreating ten yards from a free kick given on the half way line.

Maldon poured forward in an attempt to grab an equaliser but left gaps at the back. Danny Curran really should have sealed the game on 81 minutes when Rugg squared the ball to him inside the penalty area. With just the keeper to beat Curran elected to try a chip but although his effort beat the keeper, it didn’t quite have enough pace to roll into the net. Nicky Rugg couldn’t quite take advantage of the loose ball, firing into the side netting from a tight angle.

Curran nearly made amends a minute later, waltzing past a defender but curling his shot from the edge of the area just too high and wide of the upright. It was then Maldon’s turn to create an opportunity in a frantic finish to the game. Wiseman did brilliantly to spread himself and block Robinson’s effort as the winger got through on goal down the left.

From the rebound, the ball was worked across the box where a shot from outside the area was brilliantly blocked when it seemed destined for the net. It was all Maldon now but Canvey’s ten men were refusing to buckle. Wiseman pushed a header over the bar with both hands and then Stuart made another great clearance when Berquez’s header seemed to be looping towards the net.

Stuart Batch and Matt Reade came on as substitutes as Canvey attempted to play out time and with virtually the last kick of the game, Berquez capped a disappointing night for him and his team when he volleyed an effort well wide of the far post after a left wing cross had found him in space.

The final whistle went soon after to seal a vital three points for Canvey that reignites their league season. Like Saturday’s victory over Brentwood this was a performance full of passion, determination and skill and it seems that Canvey have finally cured the defensive frailties that have plagued them at times this season.

Great Wakering are next up for the Gulls on Saturday and they will travel the short distance to Burroughs Park full of confidence and hoping for another positive result.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match:

DANIEL FRANCIS:   Hardworking performance and displayed some fine dribbling skills.

Match Report by David Powell.