Match Report

Canvey Island moved up to 6th place in the Ryman Premier League after an impressive 4-2 victory over Harrow Borough at Earlsmead.

Despite going behind after just 6 minutes, Canvey battled back well and played some good football at times especially in the second half on a wet and often slippery pitch.

At times they looked sluggish in the first half and struggled to play their passing game but after Craig Davidson slotted home a penalty towards the end of the first half to put the Gulls 2-1 ahead, Canvey comfortably controlled the second half playing some attractive passing football on occasions.

Gulls were stunned to go behind on 6 minutes. Chris Moore made the error in misjudging a ball into the area from the left and Darren Grieves was there to pick up the loose ball and fire home past Ricky Wiseman for a simple finish.

Harrow had a surprise lead but despite Jonathan Constant causing the Canvey defence some problems with his pace especially down the right wing, they failed to build on this.

Canvey at this stage were struggling to get their passing game going and were too often resorting to long balls that it made it difficult for lone forward Jay Curran to create anything and get involved in the game.

Canvey did have a stroke of luck on 20 minutes with their equaliser. Gabriel Fanibuyan was fouled on the left and David Lee’s free kick into the area was fumbled by Harrow keeper Andray Baptiste straight to Leon Gordon who had a simple tap in.

Harrow though could have scored almost straight away when Grieves struck a free kick from wide on the left against Ricky Wiseman’s near post. The ball fell to Rickey Browne but he fired his shot over the bar.

Grieves had a shot saved by Wiseman 6 minutes later but by now Canvey were starting to settle and were beginning to dominate the midfield as well as find space down the flanks.

With Richard Halle beginning to stamp his authority in midfield, Canvey were beginning to look the better side.

Ryan Oliva made a good strong run down the left on 33 minutes and drilled in a low shot from the edge of the area that Baptiste did well to get behind.

Harrow did respond with Danny McGonigle crossing from the right but Constant volleyed over at the near post on 36 minutes and 2 minutes later, Canvey grabbed the lead.

Good work by Tarkan Mustafa and Leon Gordon down the right saw a cross come into the area and as Fanibuyan went up to head the ball, the referee judged that he had been pushed by defender Lee Hall. It seemed a somewhat harsh penalty award but Craig Davidson stepped up to rattle his spot kick home.

Gulls were somewhat fortunate to be ahead but from here on, they dominated the game and began to pass the ball around with real confidence.

Kwasi Frempong was booked right on the stroke of half time for Harrow for a late tackle with Lee firing the resulting free kick from 25 yards straight at Baptiste.

Canvey started the second half positively looking especially dangerous down the right wing with Mustafa often joining the attacks from his position at right back.

The third goal came 17 minutes into the half. Gordon picked up a stray pass on the edge of the penalty area, went past a defender and fired a low shot beyond Baptiste for a well taken strike.

This was virtually game over now. James Fraser fired a shot over from 25 yards on 68 minutes for Harrow but by now they were resorting to long balls that were easily dealt with by Moore and Ben Patten.
Canvey replaced David Lee with Jon Edwards and Fanibuyan with Steve Corbell as the game drifted towards its’ conclusion and it was Corbell who made an instant impact on 86 minutes with virtually his first touch of the ball.

Canvey worked the ball from right to left and Corbell picked the ball up on the edge of the area and fired a low shot into the bottom right corner of the net to make it 4-1.

There was still time for Harrow to claim a consolation goal with a minute to go. Wiseman caught Constant as he picked up a loose ball in the area and Constant fired home the resulting penalty.

Wiseman redeemed himself in injury time with two fine saves firstly turning away Grieves’ header for a corner and then seconds later showing good reactions to save Josiah Hunte’s volley at his near post.

The whistle went moments later and Canvey now find themselves in 6th place in the Ryman Premier League table.

The Gulls take a break from league action this Saturday when they start their FA Cup campaign at the First Qualifying Round stage with Dunstable Town the visitors to Park Lane.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match:

LEON GORDON: Continued his excellent recent form with another fine performance and two well taken goals.

Match Report by David Powell.