Match Report

Canvey Island boosted their play off hopes with an excellent 3-0 victory over Maldon Town at the Wallace Binder Ground.

Gulls know that a victory in next week’s home fixture with Enfield Town will be enough to secure themselves a play off spot.

Canvey took a while to get going in this match and had to endure a frustrating 80 minutes in which despite their possession, they struggled to break down Maldon’s defence and test goalkeeper Darren Gould.

Three goals in a breathless last ten minutes made sure the majority of a 203 crowd went home happy.

Canvey started brightly with Kevin Dobinson heading wide at the far post from Steve Corbell’s right wing corner after a few minutes.

Maldon responded by wasting a good opportunity moments later with their winger firing high over the bar after he suddenly found himself in space in the box.

Despite some good approach play at times, Maldon’s final ball into the penalty area was often disappointing and Canvey’s defence of Craig Davidson, Dobinson, Colin Wall and Andrew West had another solid match with goalkeeper Mel Capleton rarely tested.

Dobinson poked the ball over from close range on 24 minutes after Corbell’s right wing corner had found him unmarked at the far post.

Canvey finally tested Gould on 36 minutes as they ended the half with a good spell of pressure. Dobinson’s cross from the right was deflected to Richard Halle at the far post but he couldn’t get a decent connection on his shot and Gould was able to save comfortably.

Moments later and Ian Luck replacing the injured Jay Curran in the starting line up burst down the right and saw his cross-shot come back off of the post with the rebound being cleared by the Maldon defence.

A disappointing half finished goalless and the second half started with Canvey attempting to find that crucial opening goal.

Maldon had a period of pressure but again were unable to test Capleton. Colin Wall in particular had an excellent game winning every header and tackle and clearing his lines with a minimum of fuss.

Canvey created their best chance of the game on 57 minutes. Corbell broke down the left and his low cross fell to Gabriel Fanibuyan in the penalty area. His low close range shot seemed destined for the net but Gould was able to get across his goal and make a brilliant reaction save to keep the effort out.

Some over fussy refereeing at times didn’t help the flow of the game and as the half wore on neither side really looked capable of breaking the deadlock.

Clydie Roberts replaced Corbell on 74 minutes and soon after Leon Gordon dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area.

As the game went into its’ final ten minutes it looked like Canvey would go into their final fixture with it all to do.

A moment of class on 83 minutes finally gave them the breakthrough they needed. Gordon showed great pace and tenacity to chase a pass down the right wing and then keep it in down by the byline.
His superb cross was perfect for Nicky Rugg who headed home from a few yards out much to the delight of the travelling Yellow Army.

Maldon’s resistance was broken. Ryan Edgar replaced Luck on 87 minutes and two minutes later, Canvey sealed victory with another well taken goal.

An attack was cleared by the Maldon defence but only as far as Fanibuyan. From the left hand side of the penalty area he calmly curled a low shot past Gould that bounced off of the inside of the post and into the net.

That was game over for Maldon but there was still more left to come from Canvey as they grabbed a third goal deep into injury time. Clydie Roberts picked up a clearance from Halle’s right wing free kick and his shot from inside of the area took a massive deflection and looped past Gould and dropped into the net.

The referee brought the match to an end soon afterwards. An astonishing last ten minutes had seen Canvey take a giant step towards a play off place and certainly they deserved their win for a spirited and never say die performance.

Canvey now go into next week’s game at Park Lane knowing that their play off destiny is firmly in their hands.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

NICKY RUGG: Always looked a danger up front and never gave up. Opened the scoring with a well taken header.

Match Report by David Powell.