Match report by David Powell

Canvey won promotion to the Isthmian Premier League after a tense penalty shoot out victory over Brentwood Town in the Isthmian North play off final.

In front of a massive crowd of just over 2,500. Gulls held their nerve to win 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Things didn’t start off too well for Canvey when after 4 minutes, the prolific Tom Richardson poked home from within the six yard box.

It could have been even worse after 10 minutes when Mason Hall’s back pass to the keeper was not strong enough and nearly allowed Ashley Nzala to capitalise but Bobby Mason was able to save his attempted lob above his head.

Gulls gradually settled and nearly scored an equaliser when Harry Girling’s attempted clearance struck Matt Price and drifted a yard wide of the goal.

Harrison Chatting then saw an effort blocked by Matt Cripps and deflect wide of goal with Hall heading the resulting corner a few inches wide.

Canvey got the equaliser on the 38th minute. Evans Kouassi who had been well contained by the Brentwood defence until now crossed superbly from the right and Price headed home at the far post.

Four minutes later Price broke through down the right but fired wide when one on one with the keeper.

Jey Siva then forced Girling into a save as half time approached after more good work by Kouassi.

The second half was a tight, tense affair with neither side able to get on top or create any real clear cut chances.

Former Gull George Craddock nearly saw his corner turned in at the far post on 64 minutes before Canvey suffered two injury blows in the space of 5 minutes with both Hall and Jamie Salmon limping off.

Price worked an opportunity for himself on 72 minutes firing wide from 20 yards before Rob Harvey responded for Brentwood, cutting in from the right and firing in an effort that Mason did well to beat away.

Brentwood had a couple of corners that caused danger in the Canvey penalty area as the 90 minutes drew to a close.

With both teams starting to tire, extra time saw neither side create much in the way of chances. Both sides had periods of pressure but neither were able to make the breakthrough.

Price had the ball in the net on 94 minutes but the striker was judged to have kicked the ball out of the keeper’s hands.

Rob Harvey curled a free kick from the edge of the area a yard wide of the upright before Bradley Sach flicked a header wide from Siva’s left wing cross with virtually the last kick of extra time.

So just like the 2008 play off final against Redbridge, Gulls had to win the game on penalties.

Conor Hubble stepped up and confidently fired home before Harvey’s effort was saved by Mason.

Kouassi made it 2-0 before Nzala’s kick for Brentwood flew high and wide of the crossbar.

Substitute O’ Shane Stewart fired into the corner of the net to give Canvey a commanding 3-0 lead.

Richardson confidently fired his penalty home before Price stepped up and showed great composure to chip his kick past Girling in a style reminiscent of Panenka’s famous spot kick for Czechoslovakia to win the match for Canvey and spark wild celebrations and a pitch invasion.

Gulls now take their place in the Isthmian Premier after a 5 year absence and thoroughly deserve their promotion after a season in which they were barely out of the top 3.

Photo: KJA Sports Images