Match report by David Powell

Canvey Island continued their pre season fixtures with a 2-1 defeat against Isthmian Premier side Cheshunt.

Canvey were missing the likes of Harrison Chatting, Matt Price and Mike Finneran with injury but put in a good performance against a side a division above them in the pyramid.

Gulls were the better side for much of the first half and took the lead on 16 minutes. Evans Kouassi’s right wing corner was headed away but fell to Jamie Salmon who finished well at the far post.

It was nearly 2-0, seven minutes later when Kouassi drilled a cross from the right across the face of the goal and the ball fell to Billy Knott who fired inches over the crossbar.

Cheshunt responded with Joe Re firing wide from long range before drawing level 6 minutes before half time when Ken Charles headed home a left wing cross at the near post.

Kouassi who caused Cheshunt numerous problems all evening had another fine run and cross that Callum Fitzer headed over the crossbar just before half time.

Within 2 minutes of the second half starting, Cheshunt were in front. Charles latched on to a long ball forward, used his pace to beat Bobby Mason and then hold off Tobi Tinubu before cutting the ball back to Jamie Reynolds who shot across goal and into the net.

Canvey did look the better side in the final 20 minutes of the game.

A free kick from Knott was headed over by Fitzer on 72 minutes and then he forced Charlie Taylor into a save with a powerful driven effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Another free kick on 86 minutes picked out Rob Lacey who guided a header to Rob Girdlestone but the defender was off balance and was only able to volley his effort over the crossbar.

Cheshunt had a couple of efforts in the final few minutes of the game. First a cross from the right found Tom Gardiner but McKenzie Davidson did well to clear his effort off of the line.

Then Mason was forced to palm away a stinging effort for a corner as the clock ticked into injury time.

Canvey are next in action on Saturday when they face another Isthmian Premier side in local rivals Bowers and Pitsea.