Match Report

Canvey Island’s unbeaten start to the season came to a disappointing end when they were beaten 2-1 by Waltham Abbey at Park Lane. On a hot, sunny day, Gulls were made to pay for an early goalkeeping error by Ricky Wiseman and then some indiscipline by defender Colin Wall who was sent off for violent conduct on the stroke of half time.

Canvey never really recovered from conceding a goal just 5 minutes into the game. Ricky Wiseman made the error in handling outside his penalty area. The referee decided not to book Wiseman but Abbey punished him for his mistake when James Elmes curled the resulting free kick around the wall and into the bottom corner of the net.

Canvey were struggling to get into the game and both Billy Holland and Denny Webb were looking lively up front as they tested Wiseman on several occasions. Eventually the Gulls started to build up some rhythm with both Chris Bourne and Daniel Francis looking lively on the wings.

On 28 minutes, Colin Wall forced Abbey keeper John Hickman into a superb close range save when Bourne’s shot defected into his path. Wall looked set to score from his toe-poke from just two yards out but Hickman managed to parry the ball around the post. A minute later Ryan Edgar’s powerful strike was held well by Hickman.

Despite this period of pressure Waltham Abbey at times still looked quite dangerous on the break and Wiseman did well to save at his near post when Marc Sontag was left unmarked at the far post and was able to get a shot in on 35 minutes.

On the stroke of half time Canvey suffered a real blow when Wall was sent off after clashing with Abbey defender Lee White. Wall had already been booked for a terribly late tackle that saw Luke Power stretchered off after 18 minutes and was then given a straight red card after an incident with the Abbey defender that stemmed from Wall catching White with a rather rash high kick.

Canvey were down to ten men but showed admirable spirit to work their way back into the game with Ian Luck scoring another fine individual goal on 51 minutes. After outpacing a defender down the right wing, he headed towards the bye-line and showed great strength to outmuscle the defender when the cause seemed lost. He still had plenty of work to do but after getting past the defender, he cut in and fired a low shot that beat the keeper at his near post.

Unfortunately they were not level for long. A well worked move saw the ball played out to Lee Sontag who delivered an excellent cross to Holland who was totally unmarked at the far post. The former Billericay striker had time to place his header beyond Wiseman and into the net on 56 minutes.

Canvey to their credit responded well and dominated the remaining 30 minutes or so despite being a man down. Leon Gordon nearly got on the end of an excellent Craig Davidson free kick and then on 66 minutes, Gabriel Fanibuyan showed good dribbling skills to work himself some space and fire a low shot from 20 yards that Hickman managed to fumble away.

Chris Bourne was starting to terrorise the full back with his speedy runs and a fine run and cross nearly picked out the onrushing Ian Luck on 69 minutes. Abbey still looked a threat on the counter attack but Andrew West was performing magnificently at the back showing great composure to win tackles and headers.

Canvey introduced Nicky Rugg into the fray and his strong running started to unsettle the Abbey rearguard.
Another strong run from Edgar saw a shot lashed wide of the post from around 20 yards on 74 minutes.
Abbey were beginning to hang on a little and with Clydie Roberts and Edgar a growing influence in the midfield, Canvey were creating plenty of scoring opportunities.

Another trademark surging run from Edgar saw a fine driven shot held very well at a stretch by Hickman on 84 minutes. The keeper saved the best for last in the final two minutes. Rugg and Luck converged on a through ball. Luck got to the ball first but his close range effort was smothered by Hickman who did brilliantly to grab the ball one handed under pressure from both strikers.

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