Match Report

Canvey Island picked up an impressive point with a 2-2 draw against second placed Staines Town at Park Lane.

It was only a goal from Staines’ substitute Dean Fenton a minute into stoppage time that denied Canvey victory in front of a crowd of just over 350.

Despite a gusty wind that made playing conditions difficult for both teams, Canvey produced a spirited display and will feel that they were unfortunate not to come away with all three points.
It was the Gulls who dominated much of the first half and with the wind to their advantage they created the better scoring opportunities.

Jay Curran was the first to test Staines’ keeper Louis Wells after 8 minutes with a low driven shot from the edge of the penalty area that the keeper held comfortably.

Both Curran and Leon Antoine were causing the Staines’ defence plenty of headaches with their persistence and on the flanks, Danny Curran and Leon Gordon always looked a threat.

A cross from the right on 16 minutes caused chaos in the Staines’ penalty area and Danny Curran fired an effort from the left hand side into the side netting.

A minute later, he nearly got his toe on to a superb free kick from Craig Davidson as it swerved in from the right.

Canvey had a couple of penalty shouts turned down during this period as they continued to test the Swans’ defence.

Staines though scored completely against the run of play on 24 minutes. Elliot Onochie picked up the ball in the penalty area but went down under the challenge of Chris Moore. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot and up stepped Dave Sargent to drill his kick low into the corner of the net despite keeper Mel Capleton diving the right way.

Canvey to their credit responded well and on 29 minutes, Gordon burst down the right and his cross was deflected into the path of Danny Curran unmarked at the far post. Curran snatched at his shot and watched it sail well wide of the goal.

Danny Curran was influential in Canvey’s equaliser on 33 minutes when the referee judged that he was pulled down in the area. It seemed a somewhat harsh decision but up stepped Davidson to slam home his penalty for his fourth goal of the season.

Canvey dominated the rest of the half as they looked to take a lead into what would be a difficult second half with the wind against them.

Sheer tenacity and hard work by the impressive Antoine on 37 minutes saw him outpace and then outmuscle a defender to a long pass down the right byline and then after keeping the ball in play, he drilled a low cross into the box that eventually fell to Jay Curran.

Curran though skied his effort from the edge of the penalty area high and wide of the goal.

The blustery conditions were making life extremely difficult for both goalkeepers and defenders from any set pieces into the penalty area. Another fine delivery from Davidson from the right wing on 40 minutes caused confusion in the Staines’ defence with Moore getting a touch to the ball but watching his effort from a few yards out bounce to safety off of the post.

Seconds later, Canvey had another strong shout for a penalty when it seemed as if Jay Curran was pulled down in the area.

Canvey ended the half suffering a real blow when Danny Curran was stretchered off the field after falling awkwardly under a tackle. Steve Corbell came on to replace him.

With the wind to their advantage now, Staines started to enjoy far more possession at the start of the second half. They still were unable to really test Mel Capleton in the Canvey goal and the Gulls’ rearguard of Ben Patten, Tarkan Mustafa, Moore and Andrew West all enjoyed strong games.

Lewis Cook fired a shot wide from the edge of the area and then curled a free kick over on 64 minutes but the pace and strength of Antoine was still creating plenty of problems for Staines.

It was from a swift counter attack that Canvey went ahead on 71 minutes. Gordon picked the ball up in midfield and surged towards the penalty area. He may have been tempted to have tried a shot but instead released Corbell down the left wing with a great pass. Corbell drilled in a fine low cross that was inch perfect for Antoine who did well to get ahead of his marker and poke the ball beyond Wells and into the net.

After creating very little, Staines dominated the final twenty minutes as they pushed forward in a desperate pursuit for an equaliser.

Capleton did well to hold a low shot from Onochie on 75 minutes and then a minute later, the veteran goalkeeper had to stretch to keep a low drive out and then show great reactions to pounce on the loose ball as the striker threatened.

It was real ‘backs to the walls’ stuff for Canvey now and in the space of 30 seconds, Canvey defenders had to make two great blocks on their goal-line after a right wing corner had created a scramble in the box on 80 minutes.

It seemed though Canvey had weathered this storm but Staines didn’t give up and a minute into injury time, they grabbed their equaliser.

Canvey partially cleared a right wing free kick into the area but didn’t push up quick enough. This allowed a ball to be floated into the area where Fenton was left unmarked. The substitute calmly placed his shot from the right hand side of the area beyond Capleton to dramatically bring the scores level.

The referee played a further three minutes of stoppage time but Canvey held out for a thoroughly deserved point.

The Gulls are next in action next weekend when they travel to the Kent coast to play Ramsgate.

Oysterfleet Man of the Match:

LEON ANTOINE: Outstanding display by the fit again striker topped off by a well taken goal.

Match Report by David Powell.