Match Report

Canvey's strong Reserve side defeated a young and energetic Burnham Ramblers Reserves 4-0 in what was a mostly one sided affair. The hosts did their best to make an impact on the game, though a mix of superior fitness and greater experience ensured The Gulls took the points back to Canvey.

The match started fairly evenly, with striker Richard Hewlett shooting narrowly wide as early as the 3rd minute. However, the Burnham front line would not see much more of the ball to attack with for the rest of the half as Canvey began to dominate.

12 minutes in saw Danny Curran and Danny Francis link up well coming in from the right wing. Danny Francis hit a solid goalbound shot that was prevented from reaching its target by the arm of the Ramblers defender. The resulting free kick was hit high into the night sky for a goal kick.

4 minutes later and another chance went begging for the Yellows, this time some excellent defending saving the day. Peter Luck, brother of first team striker Ian, delivered a clever throw to Danny Curran on the left touchline. His low cross into the box was struck towards goal by Danny Woodcock, beating Michael Bowditch who dived to no avail. However, Danny Winter stayed cool under pressure and put the ball over the bar for a corner.

The pressure kept coming from Canvey, and a couple of minutes later a similar cross, this time from Woodcock, was passed into the path of Michael Daly. His first time shot was miscued just outside of the 6 yard box. By this point the game was all Canvey, and this looked as though it had been made to count on 25 minutes when Danny Woodcock tapped home. Danny Francis' right wing cross was met by Woodcock, though as he wheeled away he was disappointed to see the Assistant Referee's flag in the air indicating that he was offside.

This decision would not prove to be costly, as 5 minutes later Canvey took the lead from the penalty spot. Danny Curran, who played well and turned in a Man of the Match performance, dazzled two defenders with his quick footwork and was subsequently brought down in the area. The ex-Orient striker picked himself up and hit a powerful penalty straight down the middle of the goal, clipping the underside of the crossbar before hitting thr back of the net.

A minute later and Canvey almost doubled the lead, Danny Woodcock drilling a low cross which after initially being defender fell to Michael Daly, his shot however sailing high and wide of the target. 3 minutes later and the second goal did come this time, Curran this time sending the defender the wrong way before slotting home from 6 yards.

Burnham did make a good effort to get back into the game, and Richard Hewlett almost pulled one back for the home side. Beating the offside trap, he raced through on goal only for Ricky Wiseman to tackle him outside of the area and clear the danger. Shortly afterwards Hewlett found the ball at his feet again, this time 12 yards out with his back to goal. As he turned to shoot, only a well timed tackle from Jon Stuart ensured the strike would not test Wiseman.

Danny Francis almost scored late in thes first half, though after collecting the ball on the half way line and running the ball with great pace, his final shot went just wide of the right goalpost.

Canvey started the second half as they finished the first, and soon put the result beyond doubt as Danny Curran completed his hattrick. The well weighted through ball was collected by Curran who showed good pace before chipping the ball over the onrushing keeper.

The game started to become a bit scrappy in midfield as Burnham refused to lay down and accept defeat. However, this had to be conceeded on 71 minutes as Michael Daly scored Canvey's fourth and his first for the club. A long hopeful ball was latched onto by Daly who out-muscled his marker before taking the ball into the area and firing home.

The rest of the match was more subdued with the result now beyond doubt, and the referee eventually blew the whistle to signify a good win for Canvey. The Reserves next face Stansted at Park Lane on Saturday where they will look to extend their unbeaten run to 5 matches.