Canvey Island 4-1 Margate

Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island returned to winning ways on Saturday as they recorded a convincing 4-1 victory at home to Margate in the Isthmian League Premier.

After the disappointment of being knocked out of the FA Cup by Braintree Town on Tuesday, the Gulls were keen to bounce back, and did so in style with a good attacking performance, to the delight of many of the 475 in attendance at the Moviestarr Stadium.

Luke Deslandes and Sam Mvemba were drafted into the starting lineup for Jamie Salmon, who missed out through injury, and Elliot Ronto, who was also carrying a less serious knock after Tuesdays cup game, but made the bench.

Canvey dominated much of the first half and saw a number of chances fall their way to put them ahead.
First, Luke Deslandes broke through after 10 minutes, but he saw his shot blocked on the line by a combination of goalkeeper and defender.
It was then Evans Kouassi's turn to trouble the Margate backline, causing them problems with mazy runs towards goal, but he saw his first half efforts either blocked or fired wide of the mark.

Next, Charlie Edwards forced Harry Seaden into a good save at his near post, after getting his head to a well weighted Deslandes free kick.
From the resulting corner onslaught however, the visitors couldn't clear their lines, and Canvey's pressure paid off on 31 minutes when Rob Girdlestone rose highest from a Conor Hubble delivery tl power home a header at the back post.

Despite further pressure, the Gulls couldn't add to their tally before the break. They wouldn't need to wait long for the next goal as the second half began however.
With 55 minutes on the clock, superb play through the middle by Kouassi saw him release Bradley Sach, who didn't waste his gift as he finished well past Seaden to double the lead.

The goal woke up Margate up somwhat as they enjoyed a spell of pressure on the Canvey goal.
Antonis Vasiliou saw the best chance of that spell as he first a superb shot from range turned onto the post after a flying save from Sam Jackson.

Kouassi almost had the goal he craved on 59 minutes, when he broke through but hesitated in front of goal, allowing Seaden to push him wide enough from goal to stop the danger.

That chance would be atoned for a few minutes later however, as Canvey grabbed their third goal.

Hubble’s free kick out on the right found Sam Mvemba unmarked at the far post, and he made no mistake as he swept home into the bottom corner of the net for his first competitive goal in Canvey colours.

Margate did give themselves some hope of a comeback just five minutes later, when Fyn Rutherford drilled home a low shot through a crowded penalty area, the ball slithering past Jackson into the net.

For a while, it gave them the momentum, and it looked like they looked like they might give Canvey a difficult end to the game, but the defence held firm, their good show making it like they were never really troubled.

Canvey sealed the game and completed the scoring a few minutes from time, when substitutes Luca Albon and Elliott Ronto combined well for the later to go through on goal and fire across Seaden into the far corner of the net to complete the scoring for the afternoon.

Vasiliou did nearly score a brilliant consolation goal with a fantastic shot in the 90th minute that crashed of off the crossbar, and Steve Cawley had an effort deflected off target, but the Gulls were good value for their win as the final whistle blew.

With the exception of a friendly against Tilbury on Tuesday aside, the Gulls now take a week away from competitive action due to Carshalton Athletic's involvement in the FA Cup. Their next game will now be a big South Essex derby away at Billericay on Tuesday 3rd October.