Canvey Island 5-1 Lowestoft Town

Match Report

Canvey Island cruised into the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday, with an impressive 5-1 victory over Isthmian League North side Lowestoft Town at the Moviestarr Stadium.

The Gulls controlled the rhythm of the game from start to finish against a Trawlerboys side who had made an impressive start to their season, and sat 3rd in their league before the match.

There was a debut for Jaden Crowhurst, signed in the week, and the former Southend United youngster had a solid debut at right back in front of the Canvey faithful.

Both sides created chances within the first two minutes of the game.
Rob Girdlestone saw a looping header crash off the crossbar, before at the other end, Sam Jackson made a good save to keep out an effort from Owen Murphy, after he linked up well with Adam Hipperson down the left.

The Gulls settled, and began dictating the flow of the match with some silky, passing football. On 31 minutes, they took the lead thanks to a moment of brilliance from Evans Kouassi.
He picked up the ball on the left bye-line, with seemingly no danger, and dribbled his way into the 6 yard box, leaving the visiting defenders like spectators, before driving the ball past Luke Holt to open the scoring.

The Gulls got the critical second goal just before halftime.
A misplaced pass in defence was picked up by Bradley Sach, who strode through and calmly finished past Holt - Canvey in control at the break.

Into the second half, and more magic down the left from Kouassi on 55 minutes created the third, as he cut in again past his marker and found Connor Hubble in the penalty area, who swept the ball home from close range to put the result beyond doubt.

Canvey were starting to enjoy themselves now, and soon after, Kouassi raced through again, but this time thundered his shot just over the crossbar.

Charlie Edwards then poked an effort wide of the target as Lowestoft heads started to drop, and Canvey were given more space as a result.

On 75 minutes, the relentless pressure paid off when Jamie Salmon flicked the ball past Holt from close range after he got on the end of substitute Luke Deslandes right wing free kick. Canvey's 4th goal of the afternoon and chants of "easy" from the crowd.

Lowestoft did manage to grab a consolation goal on 77 minutes, when Harvey Sayer got on the end of a ball from the right, his shot nipping off a defender to take the ball past Jackson.

Canvey weren't done yet however, and Luke Deslandes completed the scoring in injury time, taking his time on the edge of the penalty area to send a powerful drive into the net, to notch his first goal for the club.

There almost time for a potential 6th goal, when Deslandes broke through again, and had his initial shot saved by Holt, before the loose ball fell to Sam Mvemba, whose powerful drive clipped the crossbar.

The full time whistle went shortly after, ending an impressive week for the Gulls. They'll now take their place in Monday's 2nd Round Qualifying draw, before they return to league action again next Saturday, with Whitehawk the visitors to the Moviestarr Stadium.