Match Report by David Powell
Match photo by Vicki Scott

Canvey Island picked up another precious three points on Saturday as they beat Bognor Regis Town in an enthralling match at the Moviestarr
Stadium.

The Gulls managed to pull the game back despite being behind twice after two early goals went against them in each half. Though they finished the game with 10 men, they showed desire and grit to hold on for an impressive win.

It was the visitors however, who made a fast start to the game, opening the scoring after just 3 minutes. An accurate pass down the right found Tom Chalaye, who broke through into the box and sent an angled shot past the onrushing Bobby Mason.

Current Isthmian League top scorer Nathan Odokonyero came close to increasing Bognor’s lead with a curling free kick, striking the outside of the post on 11 minutes to keep the score as it was.

Soaking up the remaining early preasure, the Gulls began to fight back and drew level on 14 minutes. Evans Kouassi ran at the Rocks defence, doing well to stay on his feet as they backed off. He got in range for a shot from the edge of the penalty area, which looped over visiting keeper Myles Bowman after taking a deflection off a Bognor player.

Despite coming back into the game, Canvey were made to work hard for their rewards as Bognor pressed. They cleared an effort off the line on 21 minutes after good work down the right by Josh Mccormick, before Conor Hubble forced Bowman to push away an effort from a 25 yard free kick shortly after.

In an end to end first half, Mason did well to turn over a strong effort from Luke Robinson, whilst at the other end, Hubble's deflected cross nearly looped into the net just before the half time whistle.

The second half proved to be just as exciting, with both sides playing some great attacking football.

It was a case of deja vu for the Gulls however as Bognor retook the lead early in the half. Alfie Bridgman whipped in a superb free kick from the right wing, finding Tom Bragg unmarked to head his side back in front on 51 minutes.

Their lead only lasted for 11 minutes however as Canvey fought back once more. Repelling a Bognor attack, the ball was spread wide to Kouassi. He jinked his way down to the right hand side of the penalty area and laid the ball off to an onrushing Bradley Sach, who fired an accurate l ow shot into the corner of the net for his third goal of the season.

He'd get his fourth and Canvey's third of the day on 67 minutes when they took the lead for the first time in the game. Reiss Chandler broke well down the right and his excellent cross found Kouassi at the back post. He nodded the ball into the path of Sach, who hit a low shot that Bowman couldn't keep out to put the Gulls in prime position for three points.

Bognor pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Isaac Olaniyan was allowed too much space to break from midfield, weaving well into the penalty area, but his fierce shot cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety, much to the relief of the Canvey faithful.

Sach could have made the game safe when he broke on to a superb through ball, but Bowman was out of his goal quickly to block the shot and keep his side in the game.

There was drama near the end as Sach was shown a straight red card by the referee after having been adjudged elbow a Bognor defender, despite similar happening to him moments earlier.

Now down to ten men, Canvey had to defend stoutly as the Rocks dominated possession without finding a way through a solid rear-guard. Holding strong at the back, they launched counters when they could, with Danny Parish in particular using every drop in his tank to push the Gulls forward.

They could have almost scored again at the end as a low cross travelled through the Bognor box, but was just missed by the stretching leg of Joe Paxman.

Despite a couple of nervous moments, Canvey held out for an excellent victory in a thoroughly entertaining game in which both sides played some excellent attacking football.

They now turn their attention to the FA Trophy as they welcome Bracknell Town to the Moviestarr Stadium next Saturday.