Canvey Island 0-3 Dagenham & Redbridge

Canvey Island were defeated 3-0 by Dagenham & Redbridge at a cold and wet Frost Hire Stadium on Tuesday night.

Manager Mark Bentley named a young side featuring several Benfleet players, but also gave vital minutes to the likes of Jose Figura, Jack Simmons, Kane Gilbert and Daniel Francis.

Peter Taylor meanwhile fielded a strong squad that included ex-Canvey goalkeeper Lewis Moore in the starting XI and forward Lanre Balogun on the bench,

It looked as though it might be a long night for the Gulls inside the opening fifteen minutes, with Dagenham having lots of possession in the attacking half and forcing goalkeeper Flo Gislette into a series of good saves.

On seven minutes Gislette used his legs to keep out a low shot from Tomi Adeloye, and seconds later he had to be alert to turn Shamir Mullings’ deflected long range effort wide for a corner.4

Mullings tested the keeper again in the 12th minute after cutting inside a defender from the right. This time Gislette dropped low to his right to save before pouncing on the rebound.

The Daggers were awarded a penalty on 23 minutes when Sonny Hartman slid in an fouled Tomi Adeloye inside the box. Adeloye and his strike partner Shamir Mullings had both skied good efforts over the bar in the moments before the penalty was awarded, and Adeloye’s spot kick suffered the same fate to maintain the deadlock.

Lewis Moore was having a quiet night in between the sticks for the visitors but was forced into action on 37 minutes when possession was switched from left to right for Jack Simmons. The winger cut inside and shot from just outside the box, but Moore was positioned well to save into his chest.

Dagenham took the lead ten minutes into the second half when Shamir Mullings kept the ball in play on the left. Mullings had time and picked out Chieke Kandi at the back post who took a touch and shot across goal and into the bottom corner.

The visitors had further chances to extend their lead, with Tomi Adeloye shooting over one-on-one moments after the restart and then a trialist sending a shot inches over the crossbar from 18 yards soon after.

Flo Gislette produced his best save of the evening on 72 minutes, diving full stretch to his right to keep out James Blanchfield’s shot from distance.

The Daggers scored twice in the final ten minutes, both courtesy of former-Canvey loanee Lanre Balogun. His first was a little fortunate and would have disappointed Gislette in the Canvey goal, but his second was an excellent volley into the top corner from 12 yards.