Match Report

Canvey Island completed their pre season schedule with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Ryman Division One South Corinthian Casuals at a wet Park Lane.

It was a comfortable victory for the Gulls as they dominated the game from start to finish. They created three excellent chances to take the lead within the first ten minutes.

After 5 minutes, a header from a corner struck the crossbar and Jay Curran headed the rebound fractionally over.

Curran was again involved a few minutes later latching on to Tarkan Mustafa’s superb run and cross down the right to send a glancing header inches wide of the far post.

Gabriel Fanibuyan was once again having a fine game and he sprung into life on 9 minutes with a superb run towards goal that saw him take on several defenders. He managed to slip a pass through to Leon Gordon who poked his shot past the advancing keeper but inches wide of the post.

Canvey though didn’t have to wait long to take the lead though grabbing the opening goal after 19 minutes. Ian Luck did superbly to control the ball and lay it off to Fanibuyan. Fanibuyan expertly curled a shot with the outside of his foot from the edge of the area into the top right hand corner of the net. Keeper Paul Smith got a hand to the ball but could do nothing to keep the sweetly struck effort out.

Two minutes later and the lead was doubled. Gordon picked out Kevin Dobinson at the far post with a right wing free kick and he powered a header into the net with Smith well beaten.

It seemed a question of how many as Canvey looked capable of scoring every time they attacked. Curran touched a Gordon right wing cross inches wide of the target and Canvey came close on many occasions as the Casuals’ defence struggled to deal with the pace of the Gulls’ attacks.

Casuals did create one opportunity with Mel Capleton making a fine block to concede a corner when Jason Haniff suddenly found himself one on one with the keeper.

Canvey ended the half with Richard Halle firing a free kick inches over after Ian Luck was fouled on the edge of the area.

Canvey continued where they left off in the second half and could have scored a third 5 minutes into the half from the penalty spot.

Curran was dragged back by the defender as he attempted to get a shot in on goal but David Lee’s penalty was well saved by the keeper as he dived to his left to keep the effort out.

This was a brief respite for Casuals though as Canvey extended their lead on 61 minutes. An intelligent pass by Mustafa sent Gordon through on goal and he finished emphatically into the bottom corner of the net.

Canvey replaced Dobinson with Steve Corbell and it was Corbell who grabbed the final goal with an excellent free kick on 71 minutes. Gordon was chopped down right on the edge of the area and up stepped Corbell to curl a well placed free kick into the top corner with the keeper beaten.

Canvey continued to attack in the final 20 minutes with Corbell and Gordon teasing the full backs down the wings and Fanibuyan and substitute Jon Edwards showing good vision and skill at times in midfield.

They were unable to add to the score but this was another good performance for a Gulls’ side that will kick off next weekend’s Ryman Premier campaign at home to Horsham full of confidence for the season ahead.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

LEON GORDON: Ran himself into the ground down the right wing and topped off a fine performance with a well taken goal.

Match Report by David Powell.