Heybridge Swifts Match Report & Details

Ryman Premier League

Match Details

07/03/2009
Canvey Island
2 - 0
Heybridge Swifts
Antoine (34, 42)
H/T: 0 - 1
Att: 354
-
1)
 Mel Capleton  
1)
 Morris-Saunders
2)
 Tarkan Mustafa
2)
 B. Hull
3)
 Andrew West
3)
 C. Bourne
4)
 Richard Halle
4)
 Goodwin
5)
 Chris Moore
5)
 Bourgeois
6)
 Craig Davidson
6)
 Fisher
7)
 Leon Gordon
7)
 Simon-Parson
8)
 Jon Edwards
8)
 Gillespie (c)
9)
 Jay Curran
9)
 Saunders
10)
 Leon Antoine
10)
 Morgan
11)
 Gabriel Fanibuyan
11)
 S. Bourne
Substitutes
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Manager: John Batch
Manager:

Match Report

Canvey Island ended their season on a high with a comfortable 2-0 win over Heybridge Swifts at Park Lane.

On a sunny afternoon in front of a crowd of just over 350, Gulls dominated this match against their already relegated opponents with Leon Antoine bagging both goals.

This victory allowed Gulls to finish the season in a highly creditable 12th position.

Swifts created the first chance with Canvey’s veteran keeper Mel Capleton doing well to keep out John Saunders’ effort at his near post on 9 minutes.

Canvey settled though and bossed the rest of the half. Both Leon Gordon and Gabriel Fanibuyan were looking dangerous down the wings and Antoine and Jay Curran worked hard up front to put a Heybridge defence that featured former Canvey player Chris Bourne under some pressure.

Supporters’ Player of the Year Gordon headed a fine cross from Andrew West straight at keeper Ollie Sanders on 15 minutes before the Gulls took the lead on 34 minutes.

Sanders failed to deal with an excellent floated cross from the left by West and under pressure from Gordon, he could only punch the ball straight to Antoine who fired home from inside the penalty area despite the attempts of Swifts’ defender Daryl Bourgeois to keep the ball out on the line.
Tarkan Mustafa had to be alert for Canvey to clear away a dangerous ball across the box from Stephen Bourne shortly afterwards but Antoine extended Canvey’s lead just before half time.

Richard Halle headed Gordon’s right wing corner towards goal and Antoine was there on the goal-line to divert the ball past the keeper.

Canvey had a thoroughly deserved lead at half time and continued to dominate in the second half.

Chris Bourne and Curran were both booked for a tussle on the ball then Gordon fired over after good work by Fanibuyan down the left.

The Heybridge strikers rarely troubled Chris Moore and Halle at the back and Mel Capleton in the Canvey goal had a very quiet afternoon.

On 76 minutes, Sanders was called into action making a fine double save to deny Antoine his hat-trick and then the follow up shot from Jon Edwards.

Jay Curran curled a speculative effort off target before West who had an impressive match slammed a shot from 20 yards just wide.

Canvey replaced Fanibuyan with Steve Corbell and Canvey suffered an injury blow when Antoine was taken off with a shoulder injury with seven minutes remaining.

Heybridge had a goal disallowed for offside in the last few minutes but Canvey saw out the remaining time for a comfortable victory.

Despite a disappointing second half to the season, Canvey have enjoyed an encouraging first season back in the Ryman Premier League and will hope to make further progress next year.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match:

LEON ANTOINE:  Impressive performance by the big striker topped of with two goals.

Match Report by David Powell.