Canvey Island 0-2 Wingate & Finchley

Match Report by Jonathan Andrews

Canvey Island's inconsistent form continued as they went down to a 2-0 defeat at home to playoff chasing Wingate & Finchley in the Isthmian League Premier.

In a game of few chances, the Gulls couldn't capitalise on the opportunities they created, whereas the hosts made sure to take theirs, moving them up to 3rd in the division.

The Gulls were forced into a late change before kick off, with Tobi Tinubu coming in for Jaden Crowhurst as a precaution. On the bench for the visitors was a familiar name in Luke Deslandes, who started the season for the Gulls before joining the Blues in November.

The first half saw little in the way of attempts on goal, with both defences doing well to cancel their opposition out.
Canvey created the first chance of note in the 15th minute as Conor Hubble lifted a cross into the area from the right, creating chaos as first Sam Higgins saw his effort saved by Ben Goode in the visiting goal before the goalkeeper then smothered the rebound from Jamie Salmon - the refferee blowing for a foul in the process.

Down at the other end and Wingate were looking to launch their own attacks on the counter, using the pace of Rhamar Garrett-Douglas and Ahmet Biller to feed in Anointed Chukwu in the middle. Despite forcing a few corners however, their wayward passing made it easier for the Gulls backline to clear up, with Tobi Tinubu and Jimmy Wallace in particular doing well to mop up most of what was thrown forward.

Their one chance of note came just before half time as Biller picked up the ball on the left flank and hit a fierce drive from 25 yards out than Jackson had to be alert to, though saved with relative ease. The refferee decided he'd seen enough shortly after, blowing for half time.

Into the second half and it was the Gulls who came out with purpose, looking to force the issue as the hosts were left backpeddling.

On 55 minutes, good strength from Sam Higgins in the box saw him hold off his markers before picking out a pass to Bradley Sach, though his strike was well saved by Goode. Their best chance came as a dangerous corner delivered in saw Sam Higgins rise highest among the crowd, only for his goalbound header to be cleared superbly off the line by the Matthew Achuba.

It was the visitors though who showed why they are challenging at the top as with their first opportunity of the half, they took the lead. Good work from Garrett-Douglas on the right saw him pick out Ruben Carvalho in the area, the midfielder gifted the time and space he needed by the Canvey defence to hit a strike at the bottom corner that Jackson was unlucky to keep out. First blood to the visitors on 60 minutes.

The Gulls looked to respond but huffed and puffed as they looked to fund a way through.

The visitors always looked a threat on the counter and it was their sharp instinct that earned them a second - though it came in controversial fashion.

An injury to Louie Arrowsmith saw him forced off the field, with the Gulls briefly down to 10 men as they looked to make a sub. As play continued, the visitors launched a ball out to their left flank, with Emmanuel Adebiyi - making his home debut for the Gulls - looking to close rank. A tussle for the ball saw the midfielder struck in the face, holding his head as he went to ground. The linesmans on the near side was unmoved however, allowing play to continue despite Canvey protests for a foul.

Quick thinking from the visitors saw them launch a long ball forward into space on the right. With Arrowsmith still off the field, the opportunity was open for Anointed Chukwu to move in and beat the onrushing Jackson as he lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net. The Gulls protests continued for a good minute or two after but despite consulting his linesman, the refferee allowed the goal to stand - much to the ire of most of the 330 spectators in the ground.

The Gulls continued to try and press for a goal, though wayward passing and miscommunication meant that they were doing little to worry the visitors defence.
They saw some good fortune on the 79th minute however as Biller brought down Tinubu out wide. The winger had already been booked, meaning the refferee had no choice but to give him his marching orders - the visitors now down to 10.

Despite the man advantage though, the Gulls couldn't force the goal back they needed, meaning they finished the game empty handing - and are now without a win since early February.

They'll need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back on Tuesday evening, with another of the league's highflyers in Horsham the visitors to the Moviestarr Stadium.