Match Report

Canvey Island continued their pre season with a 1-1 draw against Conference South side Braintree Town at Park Lane.

Braintree who defeated Southend at the weekend started with a strong line-up that featured former Canvey FA Trophy final hero Ben Chenery and ex Ipswich Town, West Ham and Northern Ireland midfielder Kevin Horlock.

Canvey started brightly with Gabriel Fanibuyan creating havoc down the left wing and David Lee bossing the midfield.

The former Southend and Hull midfielder may have given the Gulls the lead after 16 minutes. Kevin Dobinson was fouled around 25 yards from goal and Lee curled his effort from the resulting free kick just inches wide of the left hand post.

Leon Gordon tested Braintree keeper Paul Rutherford with a low drive from outside the area on 23 minutes and then was unlucky not to get on the end of Ian Luck’s cross shot a few minutes later as it zipped wide of the right hand post.

Canvey’s defence held strong with trialists Ryan Oliva and Chris Moore both impressing and summer signing Ben Patten having another solid game.

Mel Capleton had very little to do in the Canvey goal as Braintree struggled to penetrate a well organised Canvey rearguard.

Gordon’s evening ended on 35 minutes when he limped off after falling awkwardly under a challenge. He was replaced by Steve Corbell.

Canvey got their reward for their dominance with a goal of real quality on 41 minutes. Mark Nougher showed great tenacity to win the ball and lay it off to Luck on the edge of the area. Luck had the time and space to curl a fine shot beyond Rutherford and into the top right hand corner.

Canvey lead at half time but with both sides making numerous substitutions, the second half was something of a scrappy affair. Braintree had the better of the possession but again found the Canvey defence in an uncompromising mood.

A superb pass by Oliva nearly released Luck in on goal on 63 minutes but   Rutherford was quick out of his goal to clear the danger with his feet. Moments later and Rutherford was again alert to claim the ball just before Fanibuyan as he raced on to a through pass.

Braintree claimed an equaliser though on 72 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after a foul on Dave Bryant. Bradley Quinton stepped up to fire home past Ricky Wiseman who a few minutes earlier had replaced Capleton in goal.

Canvey to their credit responded well to this disappointment and could have won the game just before the end. They survived a period of pressure from Braintree before nearly snatching victory in the dying seconds.

Corbell was fouled on the left hand side near the penalty area and Luck curled his free kick against the underside of the bar. The rebound fell to Fanibuyan who could only head against the top of the bar with Rutherford eventually punching the ball away for a corner under pressure from Chris Moore.

The whistle went soon afterwards and Canvey will be happy with a solid performance that showed a great deal of potential.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

DAVID LEE: Rarely gave the ball away and showed great vision at times in midfield.

Match Report by David Powell.