Match Report

Canvey Island suffered a 3-0 defeat to league leaders Dover Athletic at Park Lane. In front of a crowd of 573, Dover deserved their victory but Gulls will feel the margin of victory flattered their Kent visitors.

Canvey battled well at times and will feel the game turned in their opponents’ favour when Leon Gordon controversially had a goal ruled out just after half time.

At this stage, Gulls were starting to dominate the match and a goal might have changed the course of the game but Dover went on to score two more goals in what was ultimately a professional display.
Dover were far the better side in the first half and despite their hard work, Canvey struggled to provide any real opportunities for lone forward Jay Curran.

Dover always looked lively down the flanks with Alan Pouton and Jerahl Hughes a constant threat and Sam Moore and John Keister dominated the midfield as Canvey at times found themselves chasing shadows in a desperate attempt to win back possession.

On 8 minutes, Moore’s cross from the left nearly picked out Hughes in the middle but he couldn’t get a proper connection on the ball.

Keeper John Whitehouse was rarely tested in the first half and the Canvey defence of Tarkan Mustafa, Andrew West, Ryan Oliva and Chris Moore had to be alert on many occasions to deal with some dangerous situations.

Mustafa at right back enjoyed an excellent game making many timely interventions and some impressive attacking forays whilst Oliva replacing the injured Ben Patten had a solid game.

It was no surprise when Dover took a deserved lead on 35 minutes. Matt Fish crossed from the left and Moore was able to head back across goal to Frannie Collin who was given far too much time and space by the Canvey defence to fire his shot home off of the underside of the crossbar from inside the area.

Moore then tested Ricky Wiseman in the Canvey goal with a swerving low shot from the edge of the area and on the stroke of half time, Shaun Welford should have done better when he broke the offside trap but fired a tame effort straight at Wiseman.

Canvey decided to change things at half time bringing on Leon Antoine for Steve Corbell and Antoine’s height and strength started to pose the Dover defence some problems.

On 47 minutes, Canvey thought they had worked their way back into the game. Dover keeper Whitehouse came out to collect a right wing corner but fumbled the ball behind him. Leon Gordon was on hand to stroke the ball home into the empty net but the referee ruled the goal out as he felt the goalkeeper had been fouled leading up to the ‘goal’. In fact, the keeper had collided with his own defender as he attempted to catch the ball.

Canvey though continued to dominate the opening exchanges of the half and on 53 minutes, Gordon did superbly to keep the ball in down the right byline and hook in a high cross. Fish’s poor headed clearance at the far post fell straight to Jay Curran but he hurried his shot and fired high over the bar from inside the area.

Antoine’s running and persistence was proving something of an irritation to Dover’s rearguard and on 61 minutes, he did well to chase a long ball with a defender and get in a looping header that nearly went over Whitehouse but the keeper did well to hold the ball at a stretch.

Former Chelmsford midfielder Stuart Ainsley made his Canvey debut and at times showed some decent touches as well as working hard. On 62 minutes, Ainsley fired in a cross shot from the right hand edge of the area that took a deflection and forced Whitehouse to clear the ball with an outstretched foot.

Minutes later, a decisive Dover break allowed them to score a second goal. A superb pass from Pouton released Welford and the striker showed great composure to round Wiseman, steady himself and fire home from a tight angle.

Gulls were stunned and Wiseman was forced to get his body behind another powerful low shot from the edge of the area moments later.

Canvey replaced West with David Lee as they continued to look for a way back into the game. A great flick from Antoine sent Curran away on 74 minutes but under pressure from a defender, he was forced into a volley that cleared the crossbar by inches.

Canvey made another change a minute later bringing on Jon Edwards for Craig Davidson and Ainsley came close moments later with a shot from the edge of the area that rippled the side netting.

It was Dover though who sealed victory, seven minutes from time. Keister crossed the ball from the right to an unmarked Sammy Moore who took his time to curl a low shot into the bottom corner of the net despite Wiseman getting his fingertips to the ball.

Canvey to their credit didn’t allow their heads to go down and kept battling to the end with little reward.

Lee tested Whitehouse with an audacious effort from 40 yards that the keeper held and then in injury time, both Gordon and Oliva converged on Lee’s left wing free kick into the penalty area but Oliva’s header sailed high over the bar.

In the end, Dover were deserved winners and showed why they head the table with a composed and disciplined performance.

Canvey though battled well and will feel the margin of victory was a little harsh. They are in league action next weekend when they travel to Harlow Town.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match:

TARKAN MUSTAFA:   Another fine performance. Barely put a foot wrong at right back.

Match Report by David Powell.