Canvey Island 1-1 Braintree Town

Match Report by David Powell
Photo Credit - Paul Paxford

Canvey Island and Braintree Town will require a replay on Tuesday evening, as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

In front of a solid crowd of just under 500, the Gulls produced a spirited display against their Conference South opponents, and had plenty of opportunities to win the match in a well contested affair.

Canvey began the match well and saw their first opportunity fall to Evans Kouassi, who blazed wide from a good position after 15 minutes.

Both sides calved out half chances throughout the first half, with both sides defences on good form as they cancelled out eachothers threats.
It was Canvey though, who edged in front right on the stroke of half time. Conor Hubble's free kick from the left picked out Mason Hall at the back post, who headed into the net past local lad Jack Sims to give the Gulls as deserved half time lead.

Into the second half, and Sims was called upon again for the visitors, making an acrobatic save to turn a fine Charlie Edwards volley over the crossbar.

Canvey would rue their chance not to extend their lead however as Braintree hit back on 62 minutes. George Quentrell was given space on the edge of the area and had the time to pick his spot, skimming a low shot past Sam Jackson into the corner of the net.

Bradley Sach nearly restored Canvey's lead shortly after, having an effort cleared off the line after a corner from Hubble had caused a scramble in the penalty area.

Braintree began to see of more of the ball however as the half ticked on, and Jackson had to make a great reaction save with his legs to deny Aaron Blair a scoring opportunity late in the game.

It was Canvey though, who looked like winning the game during the last 10 minutes, moving well on the counter as the game entered injury time.

Sims managed to beat away an effort at his near post from Kouassi on the 90th minute, before substitute Luke Deslandes came closest at the death, with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area that Sims did well to push away from goal.

The draw means that the two sides will need to go again at Cressing Road on Tuesday evening - though for now at least, Canvey's name will be in the hat for Monday's 3rd Qualifying Round draw.