Canvey Island 3-0 Billericay Town

Match Report by Jonathan Andrews
Photo Credit - Nicky Hayes

Canvey Island got back to winning ways on Saturday with a comprehensive 3-0 win at home against Billericay Town.

On a soaking wet afternoon at the Moviestarr Stadium, it was the Gulls who washed away their high flying opponents to claim the local bragging rights and complete a league double over the Blues for the first time since 2014.

Canvey were bolstered before the game by the return of Mason Hall and Elliot Ronto to the side following injuries, along with Kai Brown returning to the bench after compassionate leave.

The Gulls set the rhythm from the get go and were unlucky not to be ahead after just 9 minutes, with Jason Crowhurst's ball into the box headed home by Sam Higgins, but ruled out for offside.

The visitors goal would lead a charmed life though, with Higgins finding space to get chances on goal, and on 21 minutes, a big save from visiting keeper Dan Wilks denied Sam Higgins burying a header, with the defence scrambling to clear the ball away.

Higgins was in the mood for goals however and on 27 minutes, he got the first. A well delivered ball from Jack Munns was whipped into the area from a free kick, where the striker was able to guide a weighted header above Wilks and into the net to open the scoring.

The goal rattled the visitors and just two minutes later, they saw themselves reduced to 10 men after Adam Leathers picked up a second yellow card to receive his marching orders.

It spurred them into action however, and Sam Jackson had to be alert at the other end to deny an Ruben Soares-Junior an equaliser. It wouldn't be long though until the next big chance came for Canvey and on 39 minutes, a low pass forward from the midfield released Higgins, who had the pace and strength to beat his marker before he fired home confidently past Wilks to make it 2-0.

Into the second half and Kai Brown was introduced for Higgins, bringing a fresh injection of pace in the play.

He almost bagged a goal on 79 minutes, after he struck a good effort that crashed into the side netting.
Things would get better for the Gulls though and worse for the visitors as on 85 minutes, they found themselves down to 9 men after Louis Ramsey was shown a straight red card for dissent.

The final piece of the puzzle was completed in the 90th minute as Canvey sealed their win. Substitute Tobi Tinubu picked up on another ball into the area, side stepping his marker before drilling the ball past Wilks to put gloss on the scoreline.

The full time whistle sounded soon after, bringing an end to a brilliant performance from the Gulls against their high flying opposition.
Their attention turns to another big week in the league, with Lewes the visitors on Tuesday before a trip down to Margate on Saturday week.