Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island progressed into the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup with an impressive 2-0 victory over Ware at Park Lane in this Preliminary Round tie.

The Gulls, playing their first competitive match since March, were good value for their victory over their Isthmian Division One South Central opponents.

Canvey dominated much of this game and despite Ware having the experienced pair of Liam Hope and Andre McCollin up front, rarely threatened Bobby Mason in the Canvey goal.

The Gulls started well with Evans Kouassi on the left looking particularly threatening. On 12 minutes, Kouassi escaped the attentions of a defender and drove forward down the left. His cross should have been tucked away by Harrison Chatting at the far post but with just keeper Callum Kitscha to beat, he fired wide from a few yards out.

Canvey had a stroke of luck on 22 minutes going in front in fortuitous circumstances. Conor Hubble did superbly to win the ball and then attempt a through ball on the edge of the penalty area that caused panic in the Ware defence. Kitscha came out to clear the danger but could only blast his clearance against a defender with the ball ricocheting into the net.

Mike Finneran received a yellow card a few minutes later after pulling back Hope in a dangerous position before Hubble tried his luck with a free-kick that hit the defensive wall and came back to the midfielder who fired in a low shot that Kitscha was able to get down to and save.

The Gulls lead 1-0 at half time and the first 15 minutes of the half saw Ware put Canvey under a little pressure.

Mason did well on 54 minutes diving to his right to push away a 20 yard shot from Patrick Adamson and then a powerful effort from 25 yards cleared the crossbar.

Tobi Joseph replaced Louis Hunt up front on 57 minutes and his physical presence started asking questions of the Ware defence.

Joseph nearly put Canvey further in front when he got on the end of a superb left-wing cross from Jey Siva at the near post but after getting his toe to the ball, it dropped fractionally wide.

Canvey made another change on 67 minutes taking off Kouassi and bringing on new loan signing Tom Blackwell making his debut after signing from Chelmsford City a few days before.

Blackwell was influential in Canvey’s second goal 3 minutes later. The young striker picked the ball up on the left and crossed for Joseph who with his back to goal, turned the defender and lashed a shot beyond the keeper and into the net.

It was relatively comfortable after this for Canvey and Joseph might have increased Canvey’s lead on 78 minutes when he burst on to a through ball but was prevented from getting a shot in by a great last-ditch tackle from Louis Rose.

Ware pushed forward in the final ten minutes but the Canvey defence was well organised and Gulls saw out the remaining time easily to take their place in Monday’s draw for the next round.

LISTEN: Mark Bentley Post-Match Interview with Simon Pitts