Canvey Island got their pre-season preparations underway with a 3-2 defeat against Isthmian League Premier Division side Wingate & Finchley at an empty Park Lane on Saturday.

Manager Mark Bentley included new signings Rob Girdlestone, Jey Siva, Elliott Ronto, Conor Hubble, Harrison Chatting and Evans Kouassi in his starting XI. There were also places for goalkeeper Bobby Mason and midfielder Jamie Salmon.

Canvey took an early lead through Girdlestone, going into the interval 1-0 up and making eight changes. Former-Canvey defender Ryan O'Rawe replaced Girdlestone in central defence, with minutes also given to Rob Budd, Albert Levett, Rob Lacey, Ernest Okoh, Tobi Joseph and Ryan Melaugh.

Wingate were awarded a penalty not long after the restart, but goalkeeper Rob Budd produced a good save to preserve Canvey's lead.

Our advantage was doubled 15 minutes later through Tobi Joseph, although the deficit was reduced soon afterwards.

Jey Siva, Michael Finneran and Dan Humphreys were all replaced after the Wingate goal, and the North London side went on to score twice more in the closing stages to seal victory.