Match Report by David Powell
Match Photo - Bradley Marsh

Canvey Island made it three wins in a row in the league with an impressive 4-1 win over Herne Bay at the MBS Stadium on Saturday.

The Gulls were looked impressive on the ball once again, dominating the game for long periods, especially in the second half.

They didn’t make the best of starts against their managerless hosts however.

Kymani Thomas provided a chance for Rory Smith after 8 minutes, but Bobby Mason made a smart save to keep the striker out.

Thomas then raced on to a good ball from Michael West minutes later down the right, but Mason was again out quickly to produce another crucial save.

The hosts were undeterred however and their strong start saw them take the lead on 15 minutes.

Troy Williams cross from the right found Marcel Barrington at the near post, who swept the ball home from close range.

This was a wake up call for Canvey. They regained their composure and began to turn the tide of the match, seeing most of the ball for the remainder of the half.

Their pressure on the hosts drew them level on 32 minutes.
Evans Kouassi drove down the right and his cross fell perfectly to Joe Paxman on the edge of the box, who drilled a low shot past Jordan Perrin to open his account in yellow and blue.

The chances kept coming for the Gulls as they looked to turn the game on it's head.
Jamie Salmon flicked a header wide from a corner before Perrin was forced into a good save low to his left to keep out a Bradley Sach's header, the striker getting on the end of another searching cross.

Into the second half and Canvey began to make their dominance felt. It merited them another goal as they took the lead on 57 minutes.

Kouassi beat his marker for pace on the right, managing to float in a superb cross before he ran out of ground. It found the unmarked Odei Martin Sorondo, who headed home at the far post to score his first goal of the season.

Herne Bay looked to respond quickly from the kick off, Mason having to dive well to save an angled shot from Kymani Thomas. The scare didn't last long however as the Gulls went on the offensive again.
Sach found room in the penalty area and got in a low shot that Perrin saved well again, pushing the ball to safety.

Canvey's third eventually arrived on 71 minutes. Conor Hubble’s right wing corner was flicked towards goal by Charlie Edwards and deflected off a defender to take it past Perrin for his first for the club.

He got his second just three 3 minutes later. There was little doubt in this one either, as Mason Hall’s excellent pass picked the midfielder in space, as he took the ball down well and calmly placed his shot past Perrin to secure the three points.

Edwards could have completed his hat-trick moments later, but Perrin did well to parry, with Sach striking the loose ball wide.

The hosts didn't give up despite the scoreline and nearly scored with a tremendous 30 yard strike from West that Mason had to turn over the crossbar. Saunders-Henry did have the ball in the net for Herne Bay not long after, but it was ruled out for offside.

Elliott Ronto nearly added a 5th as the game approached stoppage time, fizzing a shot inches wide of the near post.

The full time whistle signalled another impressive result for Canvey, who remain sixth in the table, two points behind fifth place Aveley and having lost just twice in their last 12 league games.

They'll hope their good form continues as they face fellow playoff chasers Charshalton Athletic next weekend.