Match Report

Canvey Island were held to a 0-0 draw by Ryman Division One South Whitstable Town in a pre season friendly at Park Lane.

Canvey edged this game but were unable to turn some excellent approach play into goals against their Kent opponents.

Canvey started brightly with new signing Tarkan Mustafa looking impressive on the right wing. In the opening ten minutes, Mustafa did well to break into the penalty area and lay the ball off to Jon Edwards who tested Whitstable keeper Kevin Fewell with a powerful shot.

Fewell was again called into action on 20 minutes when Mustafa fired in a shot from 20 yards that forced the keeper into a scrambling save to turn the ball wide for a corner.

Richard Halle headed a Ryan Oliva pass wide on 30 minutes as Canvey continued to dominate but Whitstable were always a threat on the counter attack and Ricky Wiseman had to save a powerful low shot from the edge of the area at full stretch.

Wiseman soon after made a fine reaction save at his near post from Ian Pulham after the forward was left unmarked from a right wing cross.

Pulham then broke through just before half time but lobbed his effort wide of the target with Wiseman to beat.

The second half was a tight affair with neither side quite able to break the deadlock. Whitstable came close to scoring on a couple of occasions but it was Canvey who edged the half.

Ben Patten and Chris Moore were both enjoying solid games with Moore in particular always dominant in the air.

Canvey replaced Leon Antoine and Mustafa with Leon Gordon and Steve Corbell and it was Jay Curran who came close to scoring with an opportunist effort from the edge of the area that curled just over the bar on 66 minutes.

Gordon nearly picked out Gabriel Fanibuyan with a pass from the left but the skilful winger couldn’t quite control the ball in the penalty area.

Jon Edwards got on the end of a left wing cross on 79 minutes but saw his header blocked by a defender.

Moments later and it was Jay Curran forcing Fewell into a good reaction save when he latched on to a header in the box with a volley that the keeper did well to block.

The game though drifted towards its’ conclusion with neither side able to find the breakthrough.

Canvey are next in action on Tuesday night when they continue their pre season campaign with Ryman One North East Thurrock the visitors to Park Lane.

Yellow’s Man of the Match:

JON EDWARDS:  Showed some good skill and great touches in midfield.

Match Report by David Powell.