Match Report

Canvey Island kicked off their Ryman Division One North season in the best possible fashion with an impressive 2-0 victory over Northwood at Chestnut Avenue.

Canvey dominated this game from start to finish and apart from a few minor scares rarely looked like conceding a goal. Colin Wall, Dave Kreyling and Andrew West all had strong games at the back and goalkeeper Ricky Wiseman was excellent when called upon.

Northwood were relegated from the British Gas Business League Premier Division at the end of last season.and their young team were up against it right from the off as Canvey looked to take the game to their opponents.

Canvey’s first real opportunity of the game fell to Ryan Edgar on 13 minutes. Nicky Rugg did well down the left flank and laid the ball back for Edgar whose low strike was turned around the post by goalkeeper Ashley Harris. Ten minutes later it was Harris who again made a decent block when an error in the Northwood rearguard allowed Rugg a clear sight on goal.

Canvey were playing some great attacking football with Danny Curran and Leon Gordon especially troubling the Northwood defence down the flanks. In midfield, Craig Davidson was controlling proceedings with some excellent passing whilst Gabriel Fanibuyan was also a lively precense.

They must have thought they had scored on 31 minutes when a great ball from the left flank by Davidson picked out Ian Luck unmarked at the far post. His shot seemed to be heading for the net until Harris managed to get his fingertips to the ball and turn it on to the bar. Gordon got to the rebound but his effort was deflected away for a corner.

Up until now Northwood had barely threatened but they had a chance to take the lead just before half time when veteran striker John Lawford broke through but his attempted lob was held at a stretch by Ricky Wiseman.

The second half began with heavy wind and rain and as a result the game became a little scrappy. Elliott Buchanan tested Wiseman with a driven free kick from around 25 yards that the keeper held well on 58 minutes but it was still Canvey who looked the better attacking threat.

They got the lead their pressure deserved on the hour mark thanks to the persistence and skill of Danny Curran. After seeing a run and cross blocked, Curran picked up the loose ball and attempted to beat the defender. The defender had no option but to crudely bring Curran down on the left hand corner of the penalty box. Craig Davidson stepped up to take the resulting penalty and calmly stroked the ball home much to the delight of the travelling Yellow Army.

Davidson threatened again 4 minutes later but fired his shot into the side netting after a decent move.
With the rain becoming heavier, Northwood began to exert some pressure for the first time in the game. They should have equalised on 68 minutes when a deep free kick was misjudged by the Canvey defence and found DwaneWilliams completely unmarked and just a few yards away from goal. Somehow he contrived to fire the ball high over the bar and into the cemetery behind the ground with the goal gaping.

A few minutes later Wiseman had to make a marvellous save to prevent a left wing free kick from curling into the net. The Canvey defence frantically cleared the rebound away. Chris Bourne replaced Danny Curran and his pace provided a good outlet as Canvey attempted to hit Northwood on the break.

Their sealed the game on 81 minutes when Bourne played in a great low cross from the left. It took a slight deflection but fell perfectly to Colin Wall who prodded home at the far post from a few yards out. The goal settled any Canvey nerves and they were able to see out the remaining ten minutes plus injury time in some comfort.

So an excellent start to the season and Canvey will be hoping to build on this with victory over Potters Bar at Park Lane on Tuesday night.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

CRAIG DAVIDSON: A true captain’s performance, controlling the action ahead of him effectively.

Match Report by David Powell.