Canvey Island 0-1 Hullbridge Sports

Canvey Island’s involvement in cup competitions came to an end at Park Lane on Tuesday night, losing 1-0 to Hullbridge Sports in the Essex Thameside Trophy 1st Round.

Manager Mark Bentley made several changes from the side that drew 4-4 with Heybridge Swifts at the weekend. He handed a debut to Southend United youngster Sam Brogan in central midfield, with his Shrimpers teammate Freddy Eastwood in attack.

Central defender Darren Phillips’ comeback from injury was delayed when he pulled up in the warm up, being replaced by Benfleet’s Aaron Tatham as part of a three man defence alongside James White and Michael Finneran.

Ernest Okoh and George Woodward were both cup tied, leaving Kane Gilbert and Ryan Melaugh in the unfamiliar position of wing backs.

The first half was an extremely uneventful affair, with both defences very much on top and restricting their opponents to half chances.

On nine minutes a counter attack from the visitors ended with the ball falling to Callum Fitzer inside the penalty area. Fitzer scored in the league fixture at Park Lane back in December, but this time his goalbound shot hit the back of a defender and went behind for a corner.

The closest that Canvey came before the break was on 33 minutes when Freddy Eastwood had a low shot from 20 yards which goalkeeper George Rose kept out of the bottom corner diving to his right.

Canvey switched to a 4-4-2 at half time, replacing Sam Brogan with Albert Levett who took up position at right back. James White pushed into midfield leaving Michael Finneran and Aaron Tatham in central defence, while Kane Gilbert pushed forwards to partner Jason Hallett in attack.

Eastwood had a similar opportunity soon after the restart, this time forcing the keeper to turn his shot around the post for a corner.

Up the other end, forward Kieran Bishop beat the offside trap on 51 minutes and found himself clean through on goal. Rob Budd came off his line and managed to get his outstretched left foot to the ball as Bishop attempted to round him to leave an open goal.

Five minutes later a ball from the left was headed down by Jason Hallett for Canvey and into the patch of Kane Gilbert. He took the ball on his chest, but unfortunately for him his contact was too heavy and the ball went through to the keeper.

Hullbridge took the lead on 65 minutes when the ball was worked across from the left to Kieran Bishop who was 20 yards from goal in a central position. He struck a powerful low shot which beat Budd diving to his right and went in.

The goal threatened to open the floodgates for the visitors, with Bishop shooting wide soon afterwards before Rob Budd saved well to parry Emmanuel Okunja’s well-struck shot away for a throw.

On 78 minutes a shot from Hullbridge substitute Luke Hornsley was met by Gregory Frederick on the edge of the six yard box, but he poked his first time shot wide of the upright.

Canvey rallied late on in search of an equaliser, with their best efforts coming courtesy of manager Mark Bentley who was a second half substitute.

On 86 minutes he saw a shot from the left catch a deflection and go across goal and wide for a corner.

He came even close three minutes later when a long range effort struck the outside of the post to deny him what would have been a spectacular equaliser.