Match Report by Jonathan Andrews

Canvey Island exited the Isuzu FA Trophy at the 1st Round stage on Saturday afternoon, losing 2-0 against Horsham at the Steves Taxis Stadium.

A depleted Gulls side were up against stern opposition in the form of the Hornets, and a goal in either half saw the visitors through, while the Gulls will now be left to focus on the league and county cup for another season.

Brad Wellmen's side were lacking in a strike force from the start, with Bradley Sach, Chris Harris and Finlay Dorrell all unavailable. It left Jaxon Brown and Kane Gilbert to lead the line, with Ewan Sanchez also returning to the bench after a spell away.

The Gulls started brightly, with Elliott Ronto unlucky not to open the scoring after just 3 minutes, with his effort cleared off the line after looking goalbound.

The visitors began to pick up the pace though in a cagey first half, with Lucas Rodrigues and Daniel Ajakaiye a threat down the flanks for the visitors.

Despite a half chance for Kane Gilbert midway through the half, the Gulls were guilty of not creating much in the way of shots on goal, leaving the visitors to ask most of the questions. They found an answer and a goal just before half time, when experienced striker Chris Dickson opened the scoring in the after receiving a cross from the flanks by Rodrigues.

Into the second half and the contest was settled early in the second half, with Rodrigues getting the goal his performance warented in the 53rd minute.

The Gulls couldn't force the issue against an organised opposition, who had a few more half chances while taking the sting out of the game. It meant that the Gulls were effectively suffocated out of the game, meaning their Wembley aspirations were ended for another season.

Canvey's attention now turns back to league action on Tuesday, as they make the trip to Cheshunt.