Match Preview

Canvey Island return to league action on Saturday as they welcome league newcomers Whitehawk to the Moviestarr Stadium in the Isthmian League Premier.

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The Opposition

The Hawks return to the top flight of Isthmian Football this season for the first time since the 17/18 season, after winning promotion from Isthmian League South East last season - defeating Hythe Town 1-0 in the playoff final.
Indeed, they've experienced the highs and lows of non league football over the last 10 years, being promoted twice to earn a fruitful stint in the Conference South, only to see back-to-back relegations as they fell back into the Isthmian League South East in 2018, with the club just steering clear of a third relegation in the 18/19 campaign before current manager Shaun Saunders guided them to promotion last season.

They've began life back in the Isthmian Premier well, with 2 wins, 2 draws and a single defeat in their first five games. Saunders has added to his promotion winning squad with some Isthmian Premier experience, in particular that of players from near neighbours Hastings United - Ryan Worrell and Ben Pope two of their most high profile arrivals in the summer.
They were, like ourselves, in FA Cup action last weekend, requiring a replay on Tuesday evening to finally overcome Isthmian League South East side Sevenoaks Town 2-1 to progress into the next round.

This will be just our third competitive meeting with the Hawks in all competitions. Our last meeting came on the crest of our opponents rise to the Conference South in the 12/13 season, with them getting the best of us on both occasions. Indeed, the match away at the Enclosed Ground was a memorable affair, with the Gulls leading comfortably after goals from James Hawes, Jay Curran, Louis Dennis and Harrison Chatting, before a late comeback saw the hosts win 5-4. A classic encounter for them, though one them many in the Yellow Army still try to erase from their memories!

The Gulls
Canvey meanwhile, have had a full week to prepare for this game after comfortably dispatching Lowestoft Town 5-1 in the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup last weekend.

Evans Kouassi, Bradley Sach, Conor Hubble, Jamie Salmon and Luke Deslandes were all on the scoresheet last Saturday, with the Gulls reward being a home tie against National League South side Braintree Town in the next round.

Joe Paxman missed the game with a knock, so he will be assessed ahead of this Saturday's match. Otherwise, manager Brad Wellmen has no other current injuries or suspensions in the squad.

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With another challenging league encounter expected, the team will need the Yellow Army in full voice once again to cheer them on to victory.

With the season now in full swing and summer moving into autumn, we hope to see many more of you back through the gates after the holidays to back the team as we did in impressive numbers last season!

See you all on Saturday!

Come on you Gulls!

Admission Prices*
Adults - £12
Concession - £7
U16s - £2

*Cash and card payments accepted at the gate.

Merchandise
There is a range of Merchandise available from behind the bar, including the 23/24 home and away shirts!

Clubhouse
The Clubhouse will be open throughout the game, serving a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
We'll also have live football from the on our big screens in the clubhouse, including;

12:30 - Bradford City vs Grimsby Town (SkyBet League 2)

17:00 - England vs Ukraine (Euro 2024 Group F Qualifier)