Hastings United 0-2 Canvey Island

Match Report by Jonathan Andrews
Photo Credit - Ellis Nicholson

Canvey Island picked up a valuable win on the road as they beat Hastings United at 2-0 at Pilot Field in the Isthmian League Premier.

On a chilly afternoon on the south coast, it was the Gulls who showed their quality in front of goal in a game of numerous chances, with Jamie Salmon and Elliot Ronto heading home to help take the three points back to Essex.

Recent form would have suggested the hosts to be in the ascendancy from the get go, but it was Canvey who came flying out of the traps, and they could have been ahead inside the first few minutes, as Joe Paxman stung the gloves of home keeper Charlie Grainger, with Elliott Ronto only able to turn the loose ball just over the bar.

Grainger would be given a busy opening 45 minutes, as he was tested on several occasions by the Canvey frontline. First, he pulled off a big save on 11 minutes to deny a powerful header from Jamie Salmon. Then on 28 minutes, he got down quickly to deny Bradley Sach with a strong hand, scrambling quickly to scoop up the ball before Paxman could bundle home a rebound.

At the other end, Hastings were asking their own questions of the Canvey defence, and they went close on 21 minutes as the lighting pace of John Ufuah saw him get into a shooting position and force Sam Jackson into a good save at his near post. Then on 34 minutes, TT Walters found space to squeeze past the Gulls defence, but fired his shot wide of the mark.

It was Canvey though, who made their opportunities on goal count as they took the lead on 42 minutes.
After winning a free kick out on their left flank, Conor Hubble stepped up to launch a pin point free kick into the mixer, where it found the head of Jamie Salmon, who escaped his marker and fired in a bullet header into the back of the net to put the Gulls ahead.

The home side looked to respond immediately, as Jack Bates fired a shot with venom from range, that took another fine stop from Sam Jackson to keep it out.
With half time approaching though, Canvey got the second goal they sought to put a firm hold on the match. Another cross into the box this time found Elliott Ronto, who hit his header perfectly into the top corner of the net. Despite initially thinking he was offside, the refferee confirmed the goal to spark the celebrations behind the goal amongst the travelling Yellow Army.

Into the 2nd half and the hosts looked to put pressure on the Canvey defence as they sought to get back into the competition.
Their best chance came in the 58th minute, when another strong shot was kept out well once more by Jackson. Davide Rodari and Jack Bates went close for the hosts as the half wore on, but saw their respective efforts go wide of the mark.

Canvey were running the game well though, with a strong midfield performance dictating the flow of the match in their favour.
Luke Deslandes and Charlie Edwards were introduced to add more pace to the Canvey attack, and both had chances late in the game to make the result certain.

First, Charlie Edwards broke inside from the right and curled a lethal looking shot low towards the far corner, but saw his effort go inches wide of the post. Then, in added time, Luke Deslandes got his chance at goal as he found space in the box, but his poked shot was well saved by Grainger to keep the score at 2-0.

In the end though, the two goals were enough for Canvey to secure the three points, much to the delight of the travelling Yellow Army.
Their busy end to the calendar year continues in the week, as they return home on Tuesday evening for another league clash - Chatham Town the visitors to the Moviestarr Stadium.