Canvey Island
Matches
Tue 19 Nov 2019
Basildon United
A Tatham (75' OG), A Odukoya (5'), L Jackson (22'), E Okoh (45'), J Cobblah (95')
5
3
Canvey Island FC
Canvey Island
T Lawrence (3'), R Melaugh (15'), (24')
Basildon United 5-3 Canvey Island

Basildon United 5-3 Canvey Island

Glen Eckett19 Nov 2019 - 21:38
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.canveyislandfc.com

Young Gulls Edged Out In Eight-Goal Thriller

An inexperienced Canvey Island side produced a good performance on a cold Tuesday evening, losing an entertaining match 5-3 away to Basildon United in the Velocity Trophy Group Six.

With Mark Bentley watching from the stands, Canvey named a young side that featured several of the Benfleet squad, whose manager Stuart Batch joined Brad Wellmen in the dugout.

Canvey started brightly and took the lead after only three minutes. A ball across from the right found its way to Taylor Lawrence on the edge of the area. He unleashed an unstoppable shot which left goalkeeper Clarke Bogard rooted to the spot as it flew past him and into the goal.

The hosts reacted immediately, and after Luke Jackson missed a one-on-one they managed to draw level on five minutes. Ernest Okoh’s shot from the left was pushed across goal by Danny Confrey but smashed home by Ayomikun Odukoya following in.

The Gulls regained the lead on 15 minutes when a through ball from central midfield was played out to the left and found the run of Ryan Melaugh who had kept himself onside. The winger beat his man for pace before drilling a low shot across goal and into the bottom corner.

Left winger Ernest Okoh nearly levelled for the Bees on 19 minutes when he picked up the ball 25 yards from goal, hitting a sweetly-struck shot which started high before dipping and hitting the top of the crossbar.

Okoh didn’t have to wait too long to get over this near miss, being involved as he was in a Basildon equaliser for the second time of the evening three minutes later. This time Okoh shot low towards the bottom corner which Danny Confrey saved diving down to his right. However, the ball fell loose and striker Luke Jackson reacted quickest to chip it back over the keeper and into the roof of the net from close range.

The match swung back into Canvey’s favour on 24 minutes when a superb ball from Aaron Russell found Ryan Melaugh in behind the right back once again. This time Melaugh made his way to the edge of the area before finishing with an exquisite lob over Bogard and in at the far post.

Canvey kept the ball well but Basildon were proving dangerous on the counter attack. Danny Confrey made good saves from Luke Jackson and Ernest Okoh on 28 and 37 minutes respectively, with a goal starting to feel likely.

A fine interception from Aaron Tatham and a disallowed goal for Thomas Anderson kept the Bees at bay, but the Gulls could hang on until half time. The impressive Okoh received possession on the left and was given too much time and space to make his way into he area, placing an accurate shot across goal and in at the far post.

Given the nature of the first half, it was no surprise that the second half started in an open manner with both sides creating chances.

On 51 minutes a counter attack from Canvey saw Ryan Melaugh play a lofted ball down the left wing which Jamie Williams brought under control. Williams held up the play, waiting for support from half time substitute Emmanuel Adelokunbo who had made up ground down the opposite flank. Williams found Adelokunbo with a pass but the subsequent shot was saved by the keeper.

Two minutes later Ernest Okoh had a chance for Basildon yet again, this time striking the base of the post from a tight angle on the left.

The attack-minded left-sided player had another chance on 62 minutes when he was played in behind, but this time Danny Confrey got down to keep out a shot that was straight at him.

Despite the match being just as open as the first half, the goal fest did not materialise. Basildon were piling on the pressure, with Danny Confrey pulling off a string of fine saves to keep the Gulls in the match.

The Bees finally took the lead for the first time with 15 minutes remaining when a cross from the right was miscued by defender Aaron Tatham and sliced into his own goal.

Canvey were forced to play the final ten minutes with a men fewer after Mitch Curran was forced out through injury after all five substitutes had been made.

The final goal of the evening came in the 95th and final minute when substitute Jeffrey Cobblah got in behind the Canvey defence, rounding Danny Confrey and slotting into an empty net.

Match details

Match date

Tue 19 Nov 2019

Kickoff

19:45

Attendance

64
Team overview
Further reading