Canvey Island 0-2 Lewes

Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island were condemned to a late defeat on Tuesday evening, as visitors Lewes run out winners in injury time at the Moviestarr Stadium.

Despite thinking they'd done enough to warrant a point from the match, two defensive lapses in injury time allowed the visitors to steal the points at the death, and leave the Gulls without a win at home since February 10th.

Despite Canvey controlling much of the play in the first half, the Gulls were able to create little in the way of clear cut chances. The same could be said of the visitors however, with the game having a very much 'end of season' feel to it.

The nearest either side came to scoring in the first 45 minutes was at the tail end of the half, when Bradley Sach was able to get onto the end of a threaded through ball, but a Lewes defender was able to get back and cover before he could truly test Nathan Harvey in the visitors goal.

Both sides were forced into changes before the break, with Jaden Crowhurst forced off midway through the half with a knock, replaced by Tobi Tinubu, whilst Lewes were forced into two changes of their own - and by the start of the 2nd half, they'd made their third as they adjusted their shape.

Canvey began the second half in much the same vein as the first, but found the Lewes defence ready to clear much of the little they made in the box.

That allowed the visitors to find their rhythm, and they soon began testing the Canvey rearguard with balls into the box of their own. Sam Jackson was forced into action in the 49th minute, and produced a fine reaction save to keep out a header from Chris Whelpdale.

Down at the other end and Sam Higgins managed to strike an effort towards goal, but Nathan Harvey was equal to his shot.

Lewes continued to come forward however, and in the 59th minute, another ball launched into the box nearly caused a calamity at the back, with Tobi Tinubu looking to hook the ball away from the face of goal, but almost inadvertently putting into his own net, but for quick reactions from Sam Jackson once again.

Brad Wellmen rung the changes, with Jamie Salmon reinforcing the midfield, and the long awaited return of Evans Kouassi after 4 months out, much to the delight of the Canvey faithful in attendance.

The forward was powerless to prevent the visitors snatching the points in injury time however, with the first sucker punch coming in the 90th minute.
A well weighted cross from the left flew across the 6 yard box and into the path of an unmarked Walter Figueira, who had the simplest of finishes as he tucked the ball home unchallenged at the back post.

A second goal came with one the last moves of the game. After breaking up a Canvey attack, Harvey launched a pinpoint pass up field, feeding in the Lewes attack and in particular Bradley Pritchard, who broke to the byline and crept into the box, angling a low strike past Jackson at the near post to seal the game for the visitors.

The full time whistle sounded shortly afterwards, leaving the Gulls to once more rue their lack of chances and errors at the back.
They now move on to another game at home on Saturday against Dulwich Hamlet, where a win would make them mathmatically safe for another season - though they could secure this without kicking a ball by Thursday, should Margate drop points in their match at Potters Bar Town.