Canvey Island got back to winning ways on Tuesday night as they won 2-1 away at Isthmian North side Great Wakering Rovers.

In an evenly contested match, the Gulls were made to work for their victory as they came up against a dogged and determined home side.

Canvey had a chance within the first few minutes as some neat football found Elliott Ronto on the edge of the area, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide of the post.

The home side had a big chance of their own not long after, as a free kick into the box was met by a Wakering head, but hit the post.

Ronto had another effort float over the bar but the Gulls were giving away possession in midfield and at the back, allowing Wakering to come close again on 33 minutes.
Still, Canvey were playing the better passing game and this tactic looked to feed in Evans Kouassi, who beat the offside trap a minute later but saw his effort saved by the home keeper.

Wakering went close again shortly after, Canvey's trialist keeper called into action before the deflected effort was blasted over from six yards by the home team.

This allowed Canvey to turn the screw in the final five minutes of the half. First, Conor Hubble saw a dinked effort beat the keeper but also beat the crossbar on 41 minutes. The dangerous play upfront would pay dividends however as the Gulls took the lead just before half time. A wayward pass at the back was latched on to by the ever lurking Kouassi, who made no mistake as he rounded the keeper and fired into an empty net.

Canvey nearly extended their lead just after the restart, a trialist striker hitting an effort from range that crashed against the crossbar.

However, the Gulls couldn't make early momentum count and allowed Wakering a way back into the game, resulting in a equaliser on 56 minutes. An error on the Canvey right allowed the home team the chance to find a striker in the area. With just the keeper to beat, he crashed home a strong effort to level the game.

Canvey began to step up the momentum not long after, Reiss Chandler in particular giving Wakering a headache on the right. However, the Gulls would have to wait until six minutes from time to find the winner.

A strong attack into the box saw an effort blocked from goal by a home defender. However, his clearance could only find Conor Hubble, who turned and shot from just inside the box to crash home Canvey's second and win the game for the Gulls.

Canvey now return home for the remaining three Pre-Season friendlies, with National League South side Dartford the first visitors this coming Saturday.