Match Report by Jonathan Andrews

Canvey Island progressed to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday afternoon, as they defeated Isthmian North side Felixstowe & Walton United 2-0 at the Steves Taxis Stadium.

In front of a crowd of just under 400, the Gulls were made to work for their win by a resilient Seasiders team, who's fluid and well drilled play caused a few headaches, but the game was decided by Bobby Mason's penalty save in first half before Finlay Dorrell grabbed a superb brace in the second to win the game.

Brad Wellmen made several changes to the side that was defeated at home by Dulwich Hamlet the weekend before. Matt Yates and Elliott Johnson came in for Harvey Livings-Corbin and Tobi Tinubu respectively, whilst Ewan Sanchez and Nick Dembele slotted in for the absent Jamie Salmon and Chris Harris. Swindon Town loanee Jaxon Brown made his 2nd start for the club, whilst Tom Stephen and Michael Freiter returned to the squad.

The opening 20 minutes saw the visitors try to chip away at the Gulls rearguard, but they couldn't fashion many clear cut chances, with Bobby Mason in the Canvey goal comfortably scooping up what came his way.

It took until the 32nd minute for Canvey to have their first big chance, with a wayward cross looked to be goalbound, only to be scrambled away for a corner by the visitors.

The biggest moment of the half came in the 39th minute however, when the visitors were awarded a penalty after Elliott Johnson brought down Felixstowe striker Charlie Warren in the box after he'd look to round Bobby Mason. Thankfully, the Gulls defender escaped with only a yellow, leaving Mason to deny Joe Whight from the spot. He did just that, with a flying save to his left keeping the game scoreless as half time beckoned.

Into the 2nd half, and the Gulls grew more into the contest but still had to be wary of a potent visiting strike force. Bobby Mason was on hand again in the 57th minute to tip a dangerous shot from Sam Ford over the bar, with Callum Harrison and Cameron Forde-Brown also going close for the visitors.

Wellmen rung the changes in the 73rd minute, with Hubble and Dembele making way for Gilbert and Freiter - the later making his full Canvey debut. The change must have worked, as it was just a minute later when the Gulls took the lead.

A lofted ball into the area saw several Gulls players chase the chance down, but it was Finlay Dorrell who showed the desire to beat his marker and fire a composed strike past Harry Wright to open the scoring. Nine minutes later, he was on hand to get his brace and win the game for the Gulls. Another ball over the top saw Dorrell steal the ball before his marker, and noticing Wright off his line, he lifted a delightful chip over the keeper to seal the result.

Those goals sealed Canvey's place in the 3rd Qualifying Round, putting their name in the hat for Monday's lunchtime draw. They return to league action next weekend, as they face another big test away at Chatham Town.