Match report by David Powell

Canvey Island continued their fantastic run in this season’s FA Cup with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Bedfont Sports at the Recreation Ground in the 3rd Qualifying Round.

On a miserable wet night, Gulls were down to the bare bones with several players unavailable through injury and suspension, and Mark Bentley having to name himself amongst three subs that also included youngster Henry Sims.

Canvey dug in showing immense spirit and great work rate scoring twice in the first half and then holding out against long spells of pressure from their Isthmian South Central hosts.

The game started in persistent rain that made the pitch slippery and conditions tricky for both teams.

Bedfont Sports’ ground is a stone’s throw from Heathrow Airport and during the game, the frequent noise of jet engines taking off from one of the nearby runways pierced the night sky.

Bedfont made the better start and had a penalty shout turned down on 12 minutes, bu Canvey settled and started to play some good passing football.

On 14 minutes, Harrison Chatting saw a half volley just clear the crossbar from a half-cleared corner, and then a minute later a jinking run from Tom Blackwell cutting in from the right into the penalty area saw his shot deflect wide for a corner.

Bedfont had a decent opportunity on 20 minutes when Canvey conceded a free-kick for handball on the edge of their penalty area. Daryl Sanders stepped up but fired his effort over the crossbar.

Minutes later, Tobi Joseph who toiled tirelessly up front all evening crossed from the right but the ball just eluded Chatting in the middle.

Canvey then had a penalty appeal of their own when Joseph raced on to a through ball and was seemingly caught by Bedfont keeper Dimitrios Kyriatzis as he raced from goal to close the striker down. The referee turned down the appeals and booked Joseph for simulation.

An exciting next couple of minutes saw Canvey take the lead on 28 minutes. First Daniel Postance was denied by a good block and then Bobby Mason had to be quick from his goal to scramble the ball away.

Canvey broke with Evans Kouassi down the left. He passed to Blackwell in the box who swept the ball on to Chatting who drilled home from 18 yards.

Bedfont had another 25-yard free-kick that landed on the roof of the net before Canvey increased their lead on the stroke of half time.

Connor Hubble played in a right-wing corner that was met by a thumping header from captain Mike Finneran that gave the keeper no chance.

2-0 at half time but Bedfont came out all guns blazing in the second half. Within 2 minutes, the ball dropped to Shamal Edwards who caused problems for Canvey all night. The ball got stuck under his feet but fell to Sanders who blazed wildly over the crossbar.

Chatting fired over for Canvey from 25 yards before Sanders had another free-kick attempt end up on the roof of the net.

Edwards was giving Canvey right back Dan Humphreys a tough evening with his pace and direct running. To his credit, the young full-back performed admirably.

On 60 minutes, Edwards was able to cross from the left for Sanders but again his finishing was not quite there as he fired wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Canvey broke up the pressure with a break of their own. Kouassi broke from the left, cut in, and curled an effort just too high and wide.

Kouassi and Blackwell then tested Kyriatzis with low driven efforts that on the slippery surface, the keeper did well to hold.

On 70 minutes, Canvey really should have killed the game. Kouassi was again influential in the move combining with Joseph down the left and crossing into the box to Blackwell who had the time to steady himself but he curled his effort just too high and wide.

Still, Bedfont came forward. Ricardo Andre fired wide before Blackwell ran at the Bedfont defence and fired in a stinging drive that the keeper did well to push away.

Canvey endured a final scare on 85 minutes when Humphreys’ back pass to Mason was too short and Daniel Opoku Boateng got to the ball before the keeper. The ball rolled towards goal but fortunately for Gulls wide of the post.

Canvey replaced Kouassi with Louie Hunt and held out for the remaining time to take their place in Thursday’s 4th qualifying round draw for the first time in 6 years.