Match Report by David Powell
Image by Dan Goody

Canvey Island got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Corinthian Casuals at the Moviestarr Stadium on Saturday.

In front of a 300 plus crowd, two goals in the opening 20 minutes proved crucial in securing the three points. Gulls were good value for their victory, dominating much of the game and creating a host of chances, especially in the first half.

Canvey took the lead after just 10 minutes. An excellent through ball was latched on to by Bradley Sach, who chipped the ball over the advancing Ed Allan from just outside the area for an expert finish.

Evans Kouassi nearly made it two soon after, breaking clear of the defence, though he was then forced wide. After cutting his way back inside, he fired a wayward shot over the crossbar.

On 19 minutes, Canvey doubled their lead. Evans Kouassi got on the end of a fine left wing cross by Danny Parish and squeezed his header past Allan at the far post to put the Gulls in control of the game.

Casuals did enjoy a brief spell of pressure midway through the first half. Bobby Mason was forced into a fine reaction save to keep out a deflected shot, with the rebound being put into the net but then ruled out for offside. Benjamin Cheklit then tested Mason with a curling effort from long range that the keeper held comfortably.

On 33 minutes, good hold up play by Sach provided an opportunity for Parish, his subsequent strike agonisingly close as it hit the top of the crossbar and bounced out of play.

Two minutes later and Conor Hubble’s left wing free kick caused panic in the Casuals’ defence, with Elijah Simpson nearly slicing the ball into his own net.

Kouassi was again proving to be a real threat to the opposition defence and on 37 minutes, he cut in from the left and laid the ball back to Luca Albon, who fired straight at Allan. The visiting keeper re-composed quickly and did well to save the rebound from Kouassi.

Man of the match Jamie Salmon then nearly scored an audacious goal from near the half way line. He spotted Allan off of his line and sent a lobbed effort towards goal that the keeper managed to scramble back and fingertip away for a corner.

On the stroke of half time, a fine cross-field pass sent Parish clear on the right hand side of the penalty area but his shot was kept out by Allan at his near post.

The second half was a quieter affair with neither side creating much in front of goal. Casuals had plenty of possession without testing Bobby Mason in the Canvey goal, whilst the Gulls threatened on the counter attack.

It took until a few minutes from the end for either side to have a worthwhile shot on goal.

Conor Hubble saw a long range effort drift just high and wide of the goal on 88 minutes before Allan saved a low driven effort from Sach.

Casuals did get a consolation goal deep into injury time. Simpson found room in the penalty area and was allowed to turn and fire a shot past Mason.

By then however, it was too late for Casuals to salvage anything from the game and Canvey held out to secure a deserved 3 points. Their attention now turns to the visit of Bognor Regis Town next Saturday afternoon.