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| Dartford Match Report & Details |
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Match Report Canvey Island’s nightmare Christmas continued as they were thrashed 5-2 by runaway league leaders Dartford at the Brockwell Stadium.The score-line was a little harsh on the Gulls as for an hour they competed and more than matched their Kent opponents but once the Darts regained the lead, they stepped their game up and completely outclassed their hosts. Canvey’s defensive frailties were again exposed as the Gulls conceded 4 goals in the space of 20 minutes and they have now conceded 9 goals in their two matches over the Christmas period. After a poor display in losing to Billericay on Boxing Day, Gulls were determined to bounce back and they started brightly with Gabriel Fanibuyan in particular impressing with his pace and dribbling. John Beales came close with an effort for Dartford but Canvey responded on 11 minutes with Fanibuyan doing well down the left and playing the ball into Jay Curran who sent in a snap-shot that went just over the crossbar. Dartford though always looked a threat on the break especially down the wings and they took the lead on 23 minutes with a well taken strike. Ryan Hayes did well to keep a left wing cross in play and knock it back into the danger area where Lee Burns was on hand to send an overhead kick from close range beyond keeper James Russell and into the net. To their credit, Canvey responded to this goal well and Kevin Dobinson worked himself some space on the edge of the penalty area and fired in a shot that went just wide on 26 minutes. Dobinson was influential in Canvey’s equaliser three minutes later when he burst into the penalty area but his run was halted illegally by a Darts’ defender. Craig Davidson stepped up to take the resulting penalty and although keeper Andrew Young guessed the right way and got a hand to the ball, he couldn’t prevent it from entering the bottom corner of the net. Canvey deserved to be on level terms and although Dartford still looked dangerous on the counter attack, Ben Patten and Richard Halle kept the Darts’ attack quiet. At the other end, the hard working Curran and James Rowe were keeping the Dartford defence on their toes and Fanibuyan had the sniff of a chance on 41 minutes when he nearly got on the end of a through pass but although he got some contact on the ball, Young was able to save easily. Canvey would have been delighted with their performance in the first half and after the half time break, they again started positively with Leon Gordon heading wide at the far post from a right wing cross on 52 minutes. Gradually though, Dartford started to get on top and they began to cut the Canvey defence apart. Burns came close on 61 minutes when Russell had to get his fingertips to a shot to turn it around the post but moments later, Canvey found themselves behind. Adam Flanagan picked out Jamie Coyle with a superb cross-field pass from the right and the centre back was left unmarked at the far post to guide a powerful header beyond Russell and into the far corner of the net much to the delight of the large travelling contingent of Darts’ fans in a crowd just short of 450. With that goal, Canvey heads seemed to drop whilst Dartford grew in confidence and began to show why they have dominated the Ryman Premier League so far this season. They added a third on 71 minutes when a right wing corner caused a scramble in the penalty area and eventually Rob Haworth bundled the ball home from close range. Canvey brought on Jason Hallett, Jon Edwards and Chris Sullivan as they attempted to salvage something from the game but by now Dartford were in the ascendancy. They added a fourth goal on 76 minutes when Hayes’ free kick on the right wing was met at the near post by Danny Harris who sent a powerful header beyond Russell. The Gulls’ defence collapsed again 6 minutes later when Burns broke through and chipped the ball over Russell and into the net. Canvey did at least regain some pride with Rowe picking his way past a couple of challenges and curling a placed shot into the bottom corner of the net from inside the penalty area on 88 minutes to make the result look a little more respectable. The whistle blew minutes later to seal another heavy defeat for the Gulls. Canvey will certainly need to cure their defensive woes if they are to progress in the league but manager John Batch will take heart from a hard working and committed display against a talented Dartford side who will surely go on and win the league. Canvey will hope to get back to winning ways when they host local rivals Billericay Town on Saturday. Oysterfleet Man of The Match GABRIEL FANIBUYAN: Once again the wingers silky footwork and exceptional effort caused the opposition problems. Match Report by David Powell |
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