Match report courtesy of David Powell

Canvey Island continued their pre season with an excellent 3-2 victory over Island rivals Concord Rangers at Park Lane.

After original opponents Phoenix Sports pulled out because of a Covid case amongst their team, National South Concord stepped in and the two teams played out an entertaining friendly.

Canvey were the better side in the first half and after Conor Hubble fired a 25 yard effort over the crossbar, Canvey took the lead with a stunning goal on 8 minutes.

Evans Kouassi played in a superb cross from the left and Harrison Chatting showed great technique to send a well placed volley beyond Myles Roberts and into the net.

Matt Price nearly doubled Canvey’s lead on two occasions. First a great through ball from Chatting sent him through on goal but after holding off the defender, his shot was saved well by Roberts.

Then Price saw a tremendous low shot crash off of the post and roll across the goal line hitting the other post before being cleared.

On 25 minutes, former Canvey midfielder Ryan Blackman broke through but found Bobby Mason in top form making a find block to deny him.

Soon after Canvey were further in front. A free kick from Jey Siva deep on the right picked out an unmarked Mike Finneran who headed into the path of Rob Girdlestone who swept home from close range.

Concord had a couple of opportunities to reduce the arrears before half time but the Canvey defence held firm to go in at the break with a 2-0 lead.

Both sides made substitutions at half time and the second half was a different affair with Concord dominating for long spells and looking dangerous with attacks down both wings.

It was 2-1 on 50 minutes when Danny Green headed home Joe Payne’s left wing cross from close range.

10 minutes later, Concord were level when after a foul in the penalty area, Green stepped up to fire a penalty past Mason.

To Canvey’s credit the goal shook them up and moments later they could have had a free kick in a dangerous position when Chatting appeared to be fouled.

On 65 minutes, they regained the lead. Another stunning run and cross down the left from Kouassi found Price who couldn’t miss from a few yards out.

The final 25 minutes saw Concord push hard for an equaliser. Mason made a fine block from their forward before the rebound was cleared off of the line and then a left wing corner was headed narrowly wide.

Canvey had an attempt in the final 5 minutes when a trialist did well to break down the left and cut in but his low driven cross fizzed across goal just eluding Price and Rob Lacey who were ready to pounce.

Canvey held firm despite some pressure from Concord in the last few minutes to gain an impressive victory.

The Gulls look to continue their positive start to pre-season when they travel to another National South side, Billericay Town on Saturday.

We would like to thank Concord Rangers for stepping in at the last minute. Best wishes for the forthcoming season.