Bognor Regis Town 1-1 Canvey Island

Match Report by David Powell
Image Credit - Vicki Scott

Canvey Island halted their run of poor form on the road, as they fought for a well earned point away at Bognor Regis Town on Saturday.

In a battling performance at the MKM Arena, a threadbare Gulls squad matched their opponents across the park, and they looked to have done enough to have won the game on 57 minutes through Jamie Salmon's third goal of the season, but an 83rd equaliser from substitute Isaac Olaniyan earned the hosts a share of the points.

In a half of few chances, the Gulls held their own against a Bognor side looking to make it two wins on the spin at home. They looked to play the ball in from the flanks, but found Jaden Crowhurst and Tobi Tinubu standing fast to block them, the later in particular making a key challenge on 29 minutes to deny a Bognor chance at goal.

Down at the other end, Canvey were looking to break down their hosts defence with some good passing football between Albon, Ronto and Edwards asking questions. Bradley Sach battled through the middle, but saw a half chance or two well defended. Their best moves came from set plays, and Canvey did have the ball in the back of the net after 27 minutes, when Rob Girdlestone bundled home a free kick, only for the linesman to have adjudged him offside.

Into the second half, and both sides came out with a tenacity to win the game, the hosts first testing Sam Jackson on 52 minutes, but the keeper made a good save rushing out to deny an opener.

That meant that Canvey could charge forward shortly after and it earned them a free kick out wide that set up their goal. Conor Hubble lifted the ball into the penalty area and saw it headed down by Elliott Johnson. Salmon was waiting, and he took his finish confidently, his first touch lifting to control, before his second saw him volley it into the far corner to open the scoring on 58 minutes.

This forced the hosts forward, meaning Canvey were once again on the defensive, but some brilliant tackles and interceptions in and around the area kept the hosts at bay.

Small errors in recent weeks had cost the Gulls however, and the otherwise brilliant Tinubu almost gifted the hosts a way back, as he back-pedaled to stop a break from a mistimed pass, before he came together with the player he was intercepting. Many in the stadium thought a penalty would be awarded, with those in Green certainly protesting the case, but upon discussion with his linesman, the refferee decided on a drop ball but outside the box, much to Canvey's relief.

Canvey introduced Sam Higgins shortly after, and both he and Hubble both looked to catch Bognor keeper Ryan Hall off his line with efforts from range, but their search for the spectacular drifted either high or wide.

Something the hosts could do however, was call upon reinforcements from the bench, and it was one of those who grabbed their equaliser on 83 minutes.
An in-swinging corner saw the ball reach the back post, where Isaac Olaniyan was waiting to head home as he got the better of the Gulls again, this time denying them a win they so desperately craved.

Despite the setback, Canvey didn't settle for broke, and they did come close to sneaking a victory in the last few minutes.
Another Hubble free kick into the penalty area caused chaos, as several stabs at the ball were kept out by the Bognor defence - Higgins was closest in his attempt but was eventually frustrated as the ball finally looped onto the top of the net.

The Gulls weathered the remainder of the storm as Bognor too tried to seek a winner, but in the end, both sides were made to settle for a share of the points in a close encounter.

Canvey will now have to rally quickly as they begin a huge run of fixtures in January with a New Years Day derby at home to Concord Rangers.