Match Report

Canvey Island negotiated a safe passage through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy with a comfortable 3-1 win over Wingate & Finchley at Park Lane. The Gulls were full value for their victory, playing some exciting attacking football at times and taking their chances well. Wingate rarely threatened the Canvey defence with Colin Wall in particular repelling everything that their attack could throw at them.

It was Canvey who nearly got off to the best possible start when a mistake by a defender allowed Nicky Rugg an opportunity on goal after 4 minutes. Rugg’s shot from inside the 6 yard box beat keeper David Lovell but went narrowly wide of the post.

Despite their good start to the game, Canvey nearly fell behind on 14 minutes when Daniel Clarke who was probably Wingate’s best player on the day, was allowed to dribble in from the left and fire a shot against the post.

It was Canvey who continued to look the better side with both Daniel Francis and Chris Bourne looking lively down the flanks. Nicky Rugg nearly opened the scoring again on 26 minutes taking advantage of a long pass to lob the ball over the advancing keeper. The ball dropped wide of the far post just eluding Francis who couldn’t quite reach the ball.

Canvey though were patient and eventually made their territorial advantage pay right on the stroke of half time. From a right wing corner, Colin Wall was left unmarked in the box and he sent a towering header into the top corner of the net. Canvey deserved their half time lead and looked to build on this in the second half.

Wingate started brightly forcing a couple of corners but Canvey’s defence dealt with this pressure well and on 55 minutes they extended their lead. A cross from the left fell conveniently to Andrew West on the right hand corner of the penalty area. West did well to control the ball and fire in a half volley that the keeper got both his hands to but couldn’t prevent the ball from going into the net.

Canvey’s confidence visibly rose with this goal and they started to tear Wingate apart especially down the flanks. A superb Daniel Francis cross from the right was flicked just wide with his head by Leon Gordon on 57 minutes and then moments later Ryan Edgar’s snap-shot from a half cleared corner was just inches too high and wide.

A third goal was inevitable and came from another unlikely source. Gabriel Fanibuyan dribbled into the box and his cross was deflected to Daniel Francis. Francis’s shot seemed to be heading for the target but was turned in at the far post by Craig Davidson joining the attack from his defensive midfield position.

The game was as good as over now and despite Wingate bringing on ex Canvey winger Lee Jay, they struggled to create anything of any real substance. Ian Luck replaced Leon Gordon and Jon Stuart nearly became the fourth Canvey defender to add to the score sheet when he headed just over from Francis’ corner on 87 minutes.

It was Wingate who had the last word on 88 minutes though when Clarke broke on to a through pass and fired home emphatically past Ricky Wiseman but at this stage it was merely a consolation.

The final whistle blew not long after that to seal an excellent victory. Canvey will now face a trip to Sussex to face Horsham YMCA of the Ryman League Division One South in the next round.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match:

COLIN WALL:  A superb header to open the scoring and an all round excellent defensive display.

Match Report by David Powell.