Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island began the new year with an impressive 1-0 victory away at Aveley in the Isthmian League Premier.

In front of a strong Bank Holiday Monday crowd of 603, the Gulls were resolute in their performance, battling well, and took their chance when it came to after two disappointing defeats.

In a dogged first half, it was the hosts who edged the play, with Canvey needing be on their guard, the Aveley attack forcing Bobby Mason into action on several occasions.

Their best chance of the half came when a mishit pass was picked up on by Millers midfielder Ben Allen, only for him to be denied a chance on goal by some superb tracking back from Sam Mvemba.

George Sykes was next to try his luck and saw a shot deflected towards goal but well held by Bobby Mason.
Canvey looked to hit their hosts on the counter, with good work on the flanks feeding in Sach and Kouassi, though a stubborn home rear guard kept them from testing the home goal.

Blaise Riley-Snow then saw his cross tipped away by Mason as half time approached.
Allen then got his chance at goal, a rasping drive from long range needing Mason to tip it over the crossbar to be safe.

Into the second half and Canvey began make their mark on the game as they controlled the early exchanges.

On 59 minutes, Conor Hubble went close with a shot from the edge of the penalty area that cleared the crossbar by inches.

Just minutes later, Aveley keeper Jonathan North made two fine, quick fire saves to deny Evans Kouassi and Charlie Edwards. His defence couldn't clear their lines however, allowing the third chance to be the lucky number as Canvey scored, Bradley Sach latching on to a cross from the right, sending a towering header past North into the net.

The hosts looked to respond as they took the initiative and dominated possession. They found the Canvey rear-guard in formidable form however, clearing the majority of balls bound for the box and shutting down the flanks well.

Mason was forced into a good reaction save as he kept the ball out at his left, before Kenny Aileru saw a goal bound shot deflect off Sykes and fly inches wide as Aveley cranked up the pressure in the final minutes of the match.

Unlike Hastings a few weeks before however, Canvey weren't about to let this victory escape them and run down the 6 minutes of injury time on the clock to secure an impressive victory on the road.

The win moves them up to 6th place in the league, only outside of the playoff places on goals scored. They'll need to be ready to go again on Saturday though, as in-form Cray Wanderers are the visitors to the Moviestarr Stadium.