Folkestone Invicta 1-0 Canvey Island

Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island's poor away form continued on Saturday afternoon as they were defeated 1-0 at Folkestone Invicta in the Isthmian League Premier.

In what was an uninspired lower mid-table clash, neither side provided the greatest advert for Isthmian football as they played out a drab match with little quality, though to the credit of the hosts, they took one of the games few opportunities when it came to make them worthy winners.

Brad Wellmen brought Charlie Edwards back into the side with Louie Arrowsmith unavailable after the defeat to Wingate & Finchley the week prior, in the only change to the starting line up. Emmanuel Adebiyi dropped into the wing back position.

The Gulls created perhaps the only chance of merit in the first half after a few minutes as they forced an early corner. Conor Hubble's delivery was met by Rob Girdlestone, but the defender could only hook his effort just over Kai McKenzie-Lyle's crossbar.

To say not much of note happened in the rest of the half would be an understatement, with both sides continuing to knock the ball into the air and challenge the other for possession, only to see the same happen again. The hosts did force a few corners, though deliveries into the box were routinely dealt with by Sam Jackson and the Canvey defence. The Gulls meanwhile, continued launching the ball forward but much of what they fed towards the box and the striking duo of Sach and Higgins was aimless, allowing the hosts to easily clear when they needed to do so.

The second half began in much of the same vein, though it did seem like the tempo was increasing. To the Gulls credit, they battled hard in midfield to win back possession on multiple occasions but couldn't force the issue when coming forward, mean McKenzie-Lyle was unchallenged for much of the proceedings.

From the first real chance of the half however came what would be the game's only goal. Good work from Francis Manpolo forced a good save from Sam Jackson at his near post to keep the midfielder out. The resulting corner from Eddie Allsopp was delivered just right for Tom Derry however, with the experienced striker rising highest to loop his header across goal and into the back of the net - 1-0 to the hosts.

Canvey huffed and puffed for the remainder of the game but struggled break the hosts down, making life easier for a defence who were happy to once again knock the ball upfield. Paxman, Munns and Smith-Kouassi were introduced to try and force a way back into the game, with the later looking to cause the most trouble, but their efforts were bogged down in the midfield slog.
The hosts looked to craft a chance or two more but forced little more of merit.

It would take until the 94th minute for the Gulls to register an effort on target. Bradley Sach managed to find space in the area, finally forcing McKenzie-Lyle into a save. The keeper and his defence had to be alert again to keep out 2 or 3 rebounds, but managed to scramble the ball clear, with the refferee blowing for full time soon afterwards to seal another away defeat for the Gulls.

They're now without a win since early February and without an away with since November, their only solace that the current point deficit and poor form from sides in the drop zone meaning that they'll be unlikely to be dragged into a relegation battle.

They'll be looking to restore some pride on Tuesday evening as they host playoff chasing Horsham at the Moviestarr Stadium.