Match Report

Canvey Island U16’s took a step forward into the last eight of the league cup following a determined home performance.

Canvey felt they had suffered an undeserved 2 – 1 defeat at the hands of Hadleigh Town in the league already this season, a strong performance would be required to progress any further in this competition and the islanders were determined to redress the balance..

Hadleigh Town are a big physical side who showed their early intent with some strong tackles and determined challenges. Canvey were under pressure from early in the game as Hadleigh used their superior strength and physical presence to control the game and intimidate the smaller home team.

This was a Canvey side looking to avenge past wrongs and they gave Hadleigh back as good as they got which seemed to unsettle the Hadleigh team, as it became clear their physical strength was not going to be enough against a side that have half an eye on a trip to Roots Hall.

The deadlock was broken following a period of sustained pressure from Hadleigh with two excellent first half goals from Ryan Gale.

The second half saw the Islanders come out from a warm dressing room refreshed only to meet a Hadleigh side who had spent the break in the cold wind. It was clear that there was only going to be one result.

The second half saw more of the same with Hadleigh’s attempts to intimidate the smaller side failing dismally as Canvey again applied the pressure that resulted in a third from Gail giving him a well deserved hat trick, with Bucko finishing Hadleigh off with a fine flick over the keeper.

This was no walk over and the Canvey defence needed to be at their best today, again Miles Fraser and Chris Wong were resolute.

Competition for man of the match was strong with Brad Long, Chris Wong, Bucko and Gale all being in contention, however top man today was keeper Paul Hendle who had an outstanding day. A four nil win with the keeper being man of the match shows how entertaining a game this was.

Today’s result sets up a mouth watering 16th December quarter final at home against Great Wakering Colts who are sitting top of A Division with seven straight wins.