Match Report courtesy of David Powell
Canvey Island began their pre season campaign with an impressive 6-2 victory over Ware.

Gulls playing in their first match in over 7 months were 5-0 up at half time and looked impressive against their Southern League Central Division One opponents.

Ware featuring former Canvey striker Jason Hallett in their starting line up were behind within 5 minutes. Good work by Evans Kouassi down the left saw him cross the ball and a trialist fire home from inside the penalty area.

Hallett provided an assist moments later that saw a shot from Ware’s number 8 hit the apex of the goal but on 20 minutes, Canvey were further in front with new signing Matt Price scoring a terrific strike from 25 yards into the bottom corner of the net.

The best goal of the game came on 26 minutes. Rob Girdlestone playing at right back today picked up the ball around 25 yards from goal and hit a screamer of an effort that went in off of the underside of the crossbar.

More was to follow 8 minutes later when Connor Hubble drove into the penalty area and was bundled over by a defender. Price stepped up to slam the resulting penalty home.

Hubble saw an effort turned onto the crossbar by Ware keeper Ronnie Sandford moments later before the former Maldon and Billericay midfielder broke through just before half time to slot the ball past the keeper for Canvey’s 5th.

The second half saw Canvey replace most of their 11 except keeper Bobby Mason with a team consisting mainly of trialists. As a result, Canvey struggled to find a rhythm in the first 15 minutes of the half.

Ware were immediately back in the game right from the kick off with Mason saving a shot but failing to prevent the rebound from entering the net.

Mason made a name for himself with his penalty heroics against Biggleswade in the FA Cup last season and the former Great Wakering keeper did it again making a fine double save to stop a penalty.

After 61 minutes, Ware reduced the arrears further when a right wing free kick was turned in at the back post.

Gulls responded well and 2 minutes later scored the final goal of the game when a right wing cross was tucked home at the far post by a trialist.

There was still time for Mason to make a fine penalty save with his legs from Liam Hope and a Ware player to be shown a red card.

This was overall a positive start to pre season for Canvey and they will look to build on it when FA Trophy winners Hornchurch visit Park Lane next Saturday.