Carshalton Athletic 0-3 Canvey Island

Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island made it 3 wins on the spin in the Isthmian League Premier, after an impressive 3-0 win over Carshalton Athletic at the War Memorial Sports Ground.

Despite being depleted by injuries, the Gulls were impressive throughout, defending well from the back and decisive up front when their chances came.

They made a bright start to the game, with home keeper Daniel O' Donovan scrambling to scoop the ball away after a dangerous corner from Conor Hubble caused a chaos in the penalty area, something that Bradley Sach nearly took advantage of, but for the keepers intervention.

The Robins looked to create chances of their own however as they looked to end a short slump in form at home. On 20 minutes, Kweku Lucan's long range effort went just wide of Sam Jackson's goal to keep the Canvey defence on their toes.

As the half wound on, with both sides battling well for the ball in midfield, big chances fell to break the deadlock.
On 29 minutes, Luke Deslandes weaved in on the Canvey right, taking the ball past a defender and curling a wicked effort at goal that had the keeper beaten but crashed against the crossbar.

Not long after, Deslandes turned provider as he this time came in from the left, cutting the ball back to Louie Arrowsmith, but the wingback was off balance as he struck he shot, seeing it sail over the crossbar.

Just before half time, the hosts had their best chance yet, as a good run by Kwaku Frimpong played himself into space, and he managed to fire a shot that sailed over the crossbar.

Into the second half, and the home side made a quick start, with Sam Jackson making a fine stop to keep an angled shot out early in the proceedings.

The Gulls weathered the storm however and took control of the play back, gifting them the opener on 56 minutes. A good set piece forced a corner, which Conor Hubble delivered directly into the box to find Sam Mvemba, who beat his marker and powered his header into the net.

The hosts looked to push their way back into the game, and the tricky Lucan found himself with a chance to level things on 64 minutes, but he could only direct his chance over the crossbar.

It wouldn't be long though before Canvey extended their lead.
Another Hubble corner caused danger in box and, after the keeper had intially punched the ball away initially, Mvemba was was on hand to head the loose ball home for his 2nd goal against his former club.

Carshalton continued to press forward but found the Gulls defence stubborn to break down, with any chances they did craft rarely troubling Jackson between the stricks.

It meant that on 88 minutes, Canvey were able to seal the victory with a fine breakaway goal.

Man of the match Mvemba, made a surging run down the left, going past two defenders before finding substitute Luca Albon at the far post. O'Donovan kept out his effort from a tight angle, but was powerless to prevent Tobi Tinubu from firing the rebound home from a few yards out, for his first goal of the season and the Gulls third of the night.

It completed a fine victory for Canvey as the full time whistle sounded minutes later, with their third league win in a row mirroring the type of form they showed on their promotion charge last season.

They now face an unfortunate wait for their next fixture due to cup congestion - a trip to Wingate & Finchley in the league in a fortnight.