Match Report by David Powell
Photo Credit - Roger Robinson Photography

Man of the Match - Jeremy Santos

Canvey Island booked their place in the final of the BBC Essex Senior Cup on Tuesday evening, after a goalless game saw them win 3-2 on penalties against National League South side Chelmsford City.

In front of 402 at the Steves Taxis Stadium, nothing could separate the two sides after 90 minutes, meaning penalties were required, and Bobby Mason once again made himself the hero from the spot, with three saves.

The Gulls were in need of a response after a poor league showing at the weekend, and they delivered just that, as they produced a hardworking display to keep their higher ranked opponents at bay.
In fact, particularly in the second half, they were often the better side, creating several big chances to win the game outright.

They had to survive a substantial spell of pressure first though, as the visitors edged a first half of few clear cut chances.

Mason's first big action of the evening was to produce a fantastic reaction save to turn a curling shot from range by Kane Crichlow over the crossbar.
While the visitors enjoyed the greater spell of possession, the Gulls weren't without their chances on the break, and it was Finlay Dorrell who could have very well opened the scoring on 27 minutes, as he got on the end of a ball lofted over and rounded Ted Collins, but his his effort at goal cleared by a defender.

There was a heart in mouth moment just before half time however, as Jordan Greenidge saw his header cannon off of the crossbar, before being scrambled away to safety to deny the visitors a chance on the rebound.

Into the second half for long spells, and it was Canvey who had the better spell of possession, attacking the visitors goal as they sought out the games opener.
Chris Harris saw a chance go begging as he got a flicked opportunity towards goal from a cross, but saw his effort fly over the bar. The best chance came on 65 minutes though. Tobi Tinubu, who showed pace and purpose on the flanks all evening, showed great skill to cut inside and from the edge of the area, fired a low drive that needed a good save from Collins to keep it out.

The visitors werent without their forays forward though, and could have snatched the game in injury time, as Finley Wilkinson fired an effort inches over the crossbar.

It was penalties to decide the game, with Canvey going first. It looked like luck might have been a against them though, as Conor Hubble saw his penalty well saved by Collins.

Chelmsford scored their first, with Bradley Sach levelling it up, before Bobby Mason was unlucky not to keep the second penalty out, as it just crept under him.

Kane Gilbert made no mistake was the thrid spot kick, before the Gulls got the lifeline they needed, as Harry Barbrook’s penalty was saved by Mason.

Canvey went ahead when Florian Kastrati confidently dispatched his penalty, before Chelmsford's next penalty saw Greenidge denied by Mason again.

Manny Adebiyi had the chance to win the match for Canvey, but although Collins did well to save his penalty, Mason proved to be the hero again, keeping out Arthur Penney’s penalty to seal a first Essex Senior Cup final for the Gulls since 2012.

Canvey now play Hornchurch in the final in March, which is scheduled to take place at Colchester United’s Community Stadium.

Their immediate attention turns back to the league for now though, and a trip down to Whitehawk on Saturday.