Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island suffered a Boxing Day derby defeat, losing 2-0 to Bowers & Pitsea at the Moviestarr Stadium.

Despite dominating much of the game, the Gulls were left to rue their indecisiveness as they were hit by two well taken goals in a fiery game on the pitch.

In front of a crowd of over 400, Canvey dominated possession in the first half and created numerous chances to take the lead.

The game was struck by a moment of controversy on 18 minutes, when Bowers goalkeeper Melvin Minter brought down Joe Paxman after he'd beat the visiting defence to go through on goal and knocked the ball past the keeper just outside the penalty area.

Despite strong appeals both on the pitch and from the stands for the keeper being shown a red card, the referee was unwavered and produced just a yellow.

On 25 minutes, a great cross from the right by Evans Kouassi picked out Bradley Sach in the box, but his header was turned away well for a corner by Minter.
Protests once again came for Minter's dismissal as the keeper threw the ball behind the pitch fencing after the corner was awarded. Despite discussing the action with his linesmen, the refferee produced no further bookings.

Conor Hubble then nearly hit the target with a spectacular overhead kick that just drifted wide of the goal.

Bowers took a surprise lead on 38 minutes with their first clear chance of the game.
A long range effort was saved well by Bobby Mason, but the rebound fell to unmarked Adalberto Pinto, who fired the loose ball home.

The Gulls sought to react immediately but couldn't find the equaliser they needed. Conor Hubble had a long range effort turned around the post by Minter as half time approached.

Another moment of controversy struck just before the half as an unsavoury challenge in front of the dugouts by a Bowers player had calls for a red card protested. The referee was, again, unmoved in his judgement.

Into the second half and the Gulls again dominated possession but couldn’t appropriately test the visitors goal.

A corner from Hubble caused a scramble in the penalty area, but Sam Mvemba was unable to get enough power on his shot to beat the keeper.

The game remained feisty after the actions of the first half, with several fierce tackles flying in as both sides tried to impose themselves on the match.

Tobi Tinubu and Ashley Nzala came on for Canvey and both looked a threat, but Gulls were unable to fashion a clear cut scoring chance with Bowers clearing any crosses that came into the box and reducing Canvey to efforts from outside the penalty area that went high and wide.

In what seemed like ironic circumstance then, it was the visitors who sealed the game in unjury time. Dylan Thisleton picked up a loose ball and hammered home a long range effort that hit the underside of the crossbar as it flew into the net.

The full time whistle signalled a disappointing defeat for Canvey, in a game full of 'what ifs' unfulfilled.

They'll look bounce back quickly, but face a stern test when they travel to Aveley next Monday.