Great Wakering Rovers 2-1 Canvey Island

Canvey Island suffered back to back defeats, going down 2-1 to Great Wakering Rovers at Burroughs Park in the Bostik North on Tuesday night.

The result saw the Rovers record a league double against Canvey having won 1-0 at The Frost Hire Stadium back in September.

Manager Mark Bentley named the same side that was beaten 2-1 at home to Aveley three days earlier. There was however a return to the squad for Ryan Melaugh who took his place on the bench following a lengthy layoff through injury.

There were familiar faces in both teams, with the Canvey frontline of Martin Tuohy and Adam Vyse both having played for the Rovers, as did midfielder James White ten years earlier. Former-Gull Jake Gordon was in the Wakering starting XI while another ex-Canvey player in Joshua Wiggins was on the bench.

The hosts took the lead with the first real action of the match in the seventh minute. They were awarded a free kick on the right wing deep inside the Canvey half. Billy Johnson sent over an excellent delivery which Marc Gorbell wanted more than anyone else and rose to score with a thumping header.

Canvey didn’t find themselves behind for long, equalising six minutes later. A through ball from deep released Adam Vyse down the right, and with goalkeeper Harry Seaden coming off his line the forward was able to finish from the edge of the box with a fine lob.

Having drawn level, the Gulls then nearly took the lead on 31 minutes when they were awarded a free kick on the left-hand corner of the penalty area. Josh Hutchinson struck a low free kick which Harry Seaden did well to push onto the post diving down to his right.

Wakering regained the lead with ten minutes of the first half remaining when they were awarded a free kick of their own following a foul by Jordan Brown. With the ball on the edge of the D, Billy Johnson stepped up a curled a tremendous shot into the top corner, leaving Harry Palmer with no chance diving high to his left.

Both teams missed great headed opportunities early in the second half. First, a Canvey free kick on 53 minutes by James White from the left found Frankie Merrifield completely unmarked in the middle of the area, but he almost had too much time and ended up steering his header wide of the top corner.

Soon afterwards the home side sent over a free kick from a similar area from which they setup their first goal. This time the ball was flatter and made its way to the back post where George Cox was lurking, but he glanced his header the wrong side of the post from close range.

Harry Palmer was called into action on 65 minutes after Marlon Agyakwa gave away possession in midfield. Billy Johnson took advantage and ran until 25 yards from goal, pulling the trigger with a fine left-footed strike. However, Palmer was equal to the effort, leaping high and turning the shot over with his right hand.

The two sides then took turns in missing guilt edged chances. First Marlon Agyakwa failed to make contact with his head at the back post following a superb left-wing cross from Adam Vyse on 79 minutes.

Straight up the other end Billy Johnson squared a pass from the left and found substitute Tony Martin unmarked inside the box, but he steered his shot wide with most of the goal to aim for.

Canvey’s big chance came on 87 minutes when the ball was flicked through the home defence for Kane Gilbert, but his shot from 14 yards was straight at goalkeeper Harry Seaden who saved.

The Rovers had two late one-on-one chances the seal the points, but on both occasions saved with his legs to first deny Matt Rush and then Tony Martin seconds later.