Match Report

Canvey Island continued an encouraging pre season campaign with an impressive 5-1 victory over Ryman Division One North side East Thurrock United at Park Lane.

Star of the show was Ian Luck who scored an excellent second half hat-trick after replacing Gabriel Fanibuyan at half time.

Despite making a sluggish start to the game, two well taken goals just after the half hour mark set the Gulls up for an emphatic victory.

The first 30 minutes was fairly even with neither side quite able to stamp their authority on the game.

Canvey created the first chance of the game with Leon Antoine firing over from the edge of the penalty area after 3 minutes.

The Gulls were edging the game but East Thurrock did produce a couple of moments of danger.
Mel Capleton had to be alert to stretch and reach a dangerous right wing cross with Martin Tuohy lurking nearby on 17 minutes.

A quickly taken free kick by David Lee from the left nearly picked out Leon Gordon in the penalty area on 23 minutes but an incisive counter attack gave Canvey the lead 9 minutes later.

Kevin Dobinson’s long pass found the head of Antoine who did superbly to get above the defender and flick the ball into the path of Gordon who was in space. A quick burst of pace saw Gordon get away from the defender and he fired a fine shot from the left hand side of the penalty area into the top right hand corner of the net giving keeper Richard Wray no chance.

The lead was bettered 2 minutes later. Antoine this time showed great pace and strength to reach a long ball down the right hand side and then outmuscle the defender before breaking clear and firing home emphatically from inside the area.

Two fine goals had given Canvey a commanding lead but the Rocks did respond well with Capleton again having to be alert to punch clear a dangerous right wing cross from Kris Newby under pressure from the opposing forwards.

Canvey lead at half time and replaced Fanibuyan with Luck.

Luck was instantly involved in the game and 5 minutes into the half, he bagged his first of the night and Canvey’s third.

An intelligent lobbed pass by Dobinson sent Luck clear on goal. The former Redbridge striker ran on to fire a low shot into the bottom corner of the net beyond Wray.

Canvey were running riot now and Antoine and Luck’s pace was causing the Rocks’ defence all sorts of problems.

Antoine again showed his pace by taking advantage of some indecision by a defender down the left as he dwelt too long in possession to nick the ball and then lay it back to Luck. Luck curled a low effort just wide of the post from the edge of the area.

Lee, Dobinson and Craig Davidson were bossing the midfield showing great vision at times with their passing.

It was a fine cross-field pass by Lee that provided Canvey with their fourth goal on 64 minutes. Lee’s pass released Antoine down the right and he was able to play the perfect cross to Luck who had a simple tap in at the far post.

Luck nearly completed his hat-trick moments later with an audacious lob from long range that dropped just wide of the goal.

Canvey made several substitutions as the half wore on but still they carved out numerous opportunities.

Jay Curran who replaced Antoine forced Richard Wray into a fine reaction save with a close range shot after good work down the right by Gordon.

Curran then burst through on goal but lifted his attempted chip high over the crossbar.

Steve Corbell replaced Tarkan Mustafa and came close with a stinging first time volley from the left hand side of the area that rippled the side netting as it went wide.

A fifth goal seemed inevitable and it came on 76 minutes with Luck claiming a deserved hat-trick.
He was allowed to run at the East Thurrock defence and as they backed off he curled a well placed shot into the bottom corner of the net from inside the area.

Curran forced Wray into another good save after Davidson’s left wing cross fell to him in the penalty area but it was East Thurrock who had the final word grabbing a consolation goal three minutes from the end.

Joe Bajowa was on hand to bundle home a left wing cross at the far post.

The goal though failed to spoil a superb display in which the Gulls played some exciting attacking football at times.

Canvey complete their pre season preparations with a home match against Corinthian Casuals on Saturday.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

IAN LUCK: Stole the show with a fine second half hat-trick.

Match Report by David Powell.