Lewes 2-2 Canvey Island

Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island scored twice in injury time to pick up a point on the road, as they drew 2-2 with Lewes in the Isthmian League Premier.

In front of a strong home crowd of just under 900 at the Dripping Pan, it looked as if a goal midway through the second half had won the game for the hosts, but for an influential substitution in Sam Higgins to grab an equaliser in the 90th minute, before the hosts would go ahead again until Higgins added a second in the 94th minute!

The first half was a more subdued affair than the second, with both sides battling hard in the midfield but creating little in the way of chances. The hosts edged the play, and made the better of the limited opportunities.
With 10 minutes on the clock, former AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham player Chris Whelpdale got a header on to a Marcus Sablier cross, but saw his effort crash off the top of the crossbar.
10 minutes later and it would be Sam Oguntayo's chance to have a shot at goal, but his strike at the near post was saved well by Sam Jackson.

As for the Gulls, they battled hard at the back to keep the hosts at bay. Jimmy Wallace got himself into a good position to block Arthur Penny's shot midway through the half with the pick of the blocks.
The midfield looked to battle for the ball, with captain Jamie Salmon leading by example, though balls launched forward were cut out by a well marshalled Rooks defence.

Canvey's best chance of the half came at around the 40 minute mark, as a break down the left hand side saw Sach play a well weighted cross low into the area, but Charlie Edwards couldn't make the contact needed to put the ball in at the back post.

Into the second half and the hosts ramped up the pressure, looking to break down the Gulls resolve and appease most of the crowd watching on.
Their neat wing play saw many of their chances come from the flanks, as first both Whelpdale and Ayo Olukuga both headed wide.
Whelpdale would then test Jackson with another header, but the Gulls shotstopper was equal to the chance.

The pressure would tell on 64 minutes however, and it was one of the games most influential names in Ryan Gondoh who would put the hosts ahead, getting on the end of a pass from a swift counter as he had the time and space to fire past Jackson and give his side the league.

Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala, the hosts top goalscorer, made the games next big chance as he fired an effort from range, but Jackson was there to deny him, stretching to save the ball low to his right. With 15 minutes left to play, it seemed like the hosts would see the game out.

The Gulls had other ideas however, as they rallied to turn the rhythm of the game. Brad Wellmen hand rung the changes, with Munns, Paxman and Edwards making way for Hubble, Higgins and Reon Smith-Kouassi - the nephew of Evans Kouassi, who joined the club on loan from Leyton Orient.

Chances began to fall for the Gulls.
On 77 minutes, a Hubble corner whipped in from the left dropped to Jamie Salmon in the six yard box, but he found home keeper Narhan Harvey there to deny him with a brave block.

Last seasons visit had seen Evans Kouassi stamp his name on the proceedings, and on 82 minutes Reon Smith-Kouassi very nearly did the same. Bradley Sach had the vision to play the young forward into the box, and with a few yards of space available he stretched to connect with a strike, but saw his effort crash agonisingly off the post with Harvey beaten.

With the game headed for injury time, time was running. However, Sam Higgins had other ideas, with the striker in the mood for goals and doing what he does best.
A Lewes attack was snuffed out by Jaden Crowhurst, with the loose clearance only able to be parried back to Hubble. He had the vision to lauch the ball down the flank to Higgins, who showed great strength to hold off Ronnie Vint. Despite the defender handling the ball on the deck, the refferee played advantage, allowing Higgins to cut inside past Jake Elliott and fire a composed strike past the onrushing Harvey into the net to draw Canvey level.

Lewes weren't to be outdone however and came forward again. With many in the travelling Yellow Army still celebrating the equaliser, the hosts won a corner. The ball delivered in found an unmarked Elliott, who atoned for any earlier error at the other end by looping home a header in the 92nd minute to give the hosts the lead once more.

With 4 minutes left to play, Canvey had to come forward. That they did, launching a ball up towards the hosts box. Higgins and Sach both looked to bring the ball under control and as they knocked it forward to Kouassi, who was brought down on the edge of the area.
Hubble and Higgins stood over the ball, with the wall just in front of them. It would be the striker who took responsibility though, and he wasn't to be denied. He hit a fierce shot under the wall, fizzing towards Harvey as he failed to keep out the strike, meaning the Gulls were level again with 2 minutes to play.

This time they were able to hang on, searching a point from the jaws of defeat. They won't be quire shot of Lewes yet however as the two sides meet again at the Moviestarr Stadium on Tuesday, having firmly sized each other up. Expect more drama.