Match Report

A well fought game between two evenly matched teams, with Canvey much stronger in the first half and Benfleet becoming stronger in the second. A little bit of bad luck and a harsh free kick decided this match, but the lads should be proud of how hard they battled.

Canvey started this rescheduled match on the front foot and put a lot of pressure on Benfleet from the kick off with Thomas getting a shot on goal within the first two minutes after some good battling from James on the right. The ball rarely left Benfleet’s half for the next 5 minutes and James, Henry and Harry Harrison all had shots on goal that were either saved or went just wide.

A strong but fair tackle from Henry left a Benfleet player down and play was stopped for a few minutes until he was ready to continue.  The resulting drop ball was sportingly played back to the Benfleet goal keeper, who had an excellent game throughout. After this Canvey continued to press and James had two shots within a minute saved by their keeper.
It was not until the 16th Minute that Benfleet had their first meaningful attack on goal, when the ball broke kindly for them on the left of the pitch, some good work by their forward put him clear on goal, but the resulting shot was well saved by Harry Bates.

Canvey continued to push forward once more and after another shot from James was well saved it looked as though we would end the half goalless; but some good battling in midfield from Henry and a strong run into the Benfleet half left Benfleet short at the back. It was a great through ball to Thomas up front who calmly took the ball into the penalty area and slotted it neatly in the left haft hand corner.

1 – 0 Canvey.

Shortly after the whistle went for Half time and Canvey had their precious lead.

Half Time

The second half was into the wind for Canvey which was quite strong today; this left us with a lot more defending to do. Canvey started well though and still had the lion share of the ball in the opening minutes with both Thomas and Henry having shorts on goal that were well saved. In the third minute Canvey had another good chance after a neat pass from Thomas put James through on goal, but again the keeper was equal to it.

Benfleet began to creep back into the game after this and a good spell of pressure gave them a few corners which were well defended. Canvey had their chances too in this spell when a great square ball from Henry on the right found Thomas waiting on the edge of the box, he’s shot though not troubling the keeper.

In the 32nd Minute, it all went wrong for Canvey when an innocuous  shot from benfleet Villa hit a defender and was deflected into the other side of the net, sending Harry Bates the wrong way, nothing could have been done about this, just a bit of bad luck that Canvey really did not deserve.

This gave Benfleet more heart and they battled harder for the rest of the game making it a much more even affair, with chances for both teams in the last eight minutes. The decider unfortunately was a little controversial when a ball hit James hand just outside the box, given his hand was tight against his chest and the ball was kicked at him, this was a little harsh to say the least!! I guess these things even themselves out over a season, although this was little consolation for Canvey, as the free kick was low and powerful and went right through the Canvey defence and into the corner of the goal, Harry Bates despairing dive was not quick enough to keep the ball out and some how Canvey found themselves 2 -1 down for the second time in three games after dominating for most of the match.  

Canvey pushed forward for the final minute or so of the game and a fine run from Harry Harrison from inside his own half nearly put him through on goal until the last man brought him down on the edge of the box, the resulting free kick was well defended and the final whistle left Canvey wondering how they lost a game they played so well in.

Well done lads, a really battling performance and you certainly deserved something out of the game.  

TEAM:

1 – Harry Bates – Nothing he could do about the first and unsighted for the second. Unlucky

2 – Reece McDonough – Had an easy first half, but much more to do in the second, played well and kept his position well.

3 – Adam Pickin – Came on in the second half and had a good spell in defence.

4 – Harry Harrison – A strong game in midfield, had an excellent run on goal in the last minute of the match, until he was brought down on the edge of the box.

5 – Harry Herbert – Had another great game in defence.  

6 - Brandon Fryer – Came on in the second half and played well.

7 - Henry Sims (c) – A solid game in midfield again, some excellent passing to make the first goal.

8 – James Heys – Played well on the right and had a few more shots on goal.

9 – Thomas Diss – Had another good game up front and very alert to the ball and a well taken goal in the first half.

10 – Byron Brackett  - Had a good game upfront in the second half.

Referee – Missed a few free kicks and gave away a very harsh free kick which led to Benfleet’s second, but over all had a solid game.