Match Report

Canvey Island suffered a second consecutive league defeat going down to a narrow 1-0 loss against Maidstone United at a wet and windy Park Lane.

There was very little to separate the two teams but a superb 35 yard free kick from Roland Edge ten minutes into the second half sealed the points for the Kent side in a hard fought match.

Canvey dominated much of the first half and Stones’ keeper Andy Walker had to be alert on several occasions to make some fine saves.

Maidstone created the first shooting opportunity of the game on 8 minutes. A long throw from the left eventually reached Ian Cox at the far post but he steered his shot over the crossbar from close range.

Canvey gradually settled though and dominated possession with Gabriel Fanibuyan looking sharp in particular.

On 18 minutes, Jay Curran attempted an ambitious chip from long range but watched it sail narrowly over the crossbar.

Five minutes later, Fanibuyan picked up a loose header from Aaron Lacy and raced through the middle towards goal. His pass found Curran in space on the left hand edge of the area but he tried to fire across the keeper and Walker was able to get strong hands to the ball to push it away. The rebound fell to Leon Gordon who could only send a weak header straight at the keeper.

Walker again excelled himself ten minutes later. Cox failed to cut out a long ball down the right leaving Curran to go clear on goal. Walker did well to twice block at Curran’s feet with the danger eventually being cleared.

Maidstone had created very little of note up until now with Ricky Wiseman’s goal protected well by solid performances from Richard Halle and Chris Moore at the back.

Lloyd Blackman had a sniff of a chance on 39 minutes when he got on the end of Elliot Bradbrook’s long ball, out-muscled Moore but fired wide from a good position on the edge of the penalty area.

The wet and windy conditions were making life very difficult for both sides and Canvey were struggling at times to play their normal passing game. Maidstone were dominating most of the aerial battles now and at the start of the second half, they began to edge the match.

Fanibuyan nearly had a shooting opportunity on 53 minutes when he did well to bundle his way past a couple of defenders down the left hand side of the area but he attempted to work a shooting chance on to his stronger foot and the opportunity went.

A few minutes later, Maidstone took the lead. Blackman was fouled around 30 yards from goal and former Gillingham defender Edge stepped up to curl a superb effort around the defensive wall and beyond Wiseman into the top left hand corner of the net.

Canvey responded well and nine minutes later, Gordon made a good run towards the penalty area but dragged his shot wide of the left hand post.

Canvey were struggling to break down a resolute Maidstone defence in which Cox in particular had an excellent match.

Canvey brought on Leon Antoine for Curran on 71 minutes and he seemed to give the attack a little bit more physical precense.

On 77 minutes, Canvey should have equalised when Antoine barged his way past a defender down the right and crossed the ball to the near post. Fanibuyan managed to poke the ball towards goal but it agonisingly struck the left hand post and bounced away to safety.

Canvey sent on Ian Luck for Andrew West with ten minutes remaining but as Gulls pushed forward in numbers in an attempt to grab an equaliser, they left gaps at the back that Maidstone started to exploit.

On 83 minutes, James Pinnock broke through down the right, rounded Wiseman but his effort from a tight angle was cleared off of the line by Halle.

Halle made a great block, moments later to prevent a shot going on target but despite a few flurries on the Maidstone goal, Canvey couldn’t find the equalising goal.

Gulls slip down to 5th in the table just below next week’s opponents Tonbridge Angels and they will be looking to bounce back with a win before they go into the Xmas period.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match:

RICHARD HALLE:   Had a strong game in defence. Made several timely interceptions that prevented goal-scoring opportunities.

Match Report by David Powell.