Match Report

Two first half goals from Leon Gordon and Craig Davidson gave Canvey Island a deserved 2-0 win over relegation strugglers Ramsgate at Park Lane.

The Gulls produced a solid, workmanlike performance and thoroughly deserved their victory in front of a crowd of 319 at a sunny Park Lane.
Canvey started the game brightly, looking tenacious in midfield and strong at the back. Both Richard Halle and Chris Moore were keeping Ramsgate forwards Jay May and Stefan Ball extremely quiet and Canvey keeper Ricky Wiseman had very little to do during the first half.
Jay Curran had Canvey’s first opportunity of the match, lifting a header over the bar from Gordon’s left wing corner on 7 minutes.

Both Gordon and Gabriel Fanibuyan were causing the Ramsgate full backs plenty of problems with their pace and determined running down the flanks and it was Gordon who did well on 16 minutes when he got down the right and played in a low cross that spun off of a defender and straight to Davidson on the edge of the penalty area. The Canvey skipper though fired his shot high over the crossbar.

Canvey suffered an injury blow on 35 minutes when Tarkan Mustafa was forced off with a knee injury after competing for a loose ball. He was replaced by Andrew West who enjoyed an excellent game in his time on the field.

Both West and Stuart Ainsley were solid defensively and regularly joined attacks often putting some excellent crosses into the penalty area.
As half time approached, Canvey put themselves in a commanding position with two quick fire goals.

The first came on 41 minutes. Gordon burst on to a through ball down the left hand side of the penalty area, held off the defender and fired in a shot that keeper Jamie Turner blocked well. Gordon was first to the rebound though and bundled the ball home for his 10th league goal of the season.

The Gulls increased their lead 3 minutes later. Fanibuyan was tripped as he made a jinking run down the right hand side of the penalty area. The referee showed no hesitation but to award a penalty and up stepped Davidson to send Turner the wrong way and slot home his kick into the bottom corner of the net.

Controversy was to follow a minute later when a robust tackle saw tempers become frayed and a melee amongst several of the players ensued. Ramsgate’s Des Byrne was shown a red card and Canvey’s Kevin Dobinson was sent off for his part in the altercation.
Despite losing their midfield talisman, Canvey started the second half well and looked to kill the game off with an important third goal.
Jon Edwards was booked for a shirt pull and tempers boiled over again on 57 minutes when a tussle between Jay Curran and the Rams’ Danny Walder lead to both players being booked.

Gordon did well to cut in from the right but under pressure from a defender, Turner was able to save his tame effort at his near post.
Richard Halle then fired a free kick from 25 yards wide of the post.

Ramsgate tried to step up their game by making several substitutions but just couldn’t find a way past a well organised Canvey defence with Halle in particular in outstanding form.

With Curran walking ‘a tightrope’ after his booking, Canvey replaced him with Ian Luck on 71 minutes.

Luck was involved almost immediately showing a great turn of pace and skill to turn a defender and burst down the right flank. As he ran towards goal he elected to try a shot but lifted his effort high over the crossbar when a pass to Fanibuyan who was unmarked at the far post would have been a better option.

Canvey comfortably saw out the remaining 15 minutes of the match with Ricky Wiseman having very little to do to seal an important three points that will give them confidence before a tough match at runaway league leaders Dover Athletic next weekend.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match:

RICHARD HALLE: Outstanding game at the back. Contributed to a clean sheet with a solid defensive display.

Match Report by David Powell.

Oysterfleet Man of The Match

RICHARD HALLE: Another solid performance from the commanding centre back, proving he is as comfortable in defence as he is in midfield.