Match Report by David Powell
Match Photo - Dan Goody

Canvey Island were held to a 1-1 draw by Cray Wanderers on windy afternoon at the Moviestarr Stadium.

In front of a good crowd of 400 plus, Canvey edged a well contested and entertaining game and will feel they had the better scoring opportunities to win the game outright.

Winning the referee's coin toss, captain Conor Hubble opted to play the Gulls first half with the strong wind to their advantage.

The result was the visitors being practically locked in their own half for most of the opening 45 minutes, as most attempts at a goal kick or a clearence saw the ball caught in the air by the wind before drifting back towards them.

Canvey used this to their advantage as they put Cray under the cosh, the midfield trio of Hubble, Ronto and Edwards winning most of what came their way. It hampered them at times too however as the extra velocity on balls fed through made it hard for the front three when not on the floor.

The momentum paid off however as Canvey broke the deadlock on 20 minutes. A left wing corner from Hubble eluded Shaun Rowley in the visiting goal and Elliot Johnson headed home at the far post from close range, his effort taking a slight deflection for his first goal in Canvey colours.

Both sides crafted few clear opportunities on goal as the conditions continued to make things difficult for both sides. Hubble nearly scored directly from a corner with the ball narrowly just brushing the upright of the goal.
Cray, meanwhile, were unable to really test Bobby Mason in the Canvey goal, only managing two pot shots that the keeper easily held.

It was Canvey's turn to deal with the elements in the second half, but they adapted quicker than their opponents, some neat football crafting a few early chancss.
Joe Paxman blazed over after good work by Evans Kouassi down the right before Kouassi picked he ball in midfield and drove towards goal, firing in a low shot that Rowley did well to tip around the post.

Cray showed their prowess as the side in form of late and with their first effort of the half, they equalised on 55 minutes. A free kick from Anthony Cook caught the wind and was headed home at the far post by Yahaya Bamba.

They made the next big chance of the game too, as Dan Bassett then cut in from the left on 70 minutes and fired across goal.

It was Canvey though, who composed themselves and finished the stronger side. Ashley Nzala came on as a substitute with ten minutes to go and caused the Cray defence problems down the wing as he helped to seek a winner.

His crossing just eluded the Canvey strikers in the six yard box as the visiting centre backs hooked away the danger. With the last actions of the game, Canvey locked their opponents in the box with a succession of corners, one of which saw an effort on goal blocked on the line and scrambled to safety.

The draw keeps Canvey in 6th place, with Cray continuing their unbeaten run to stay in 2nd.

The Gulls now begin a busy fortnight, with an Essex Senior Cup tie at Bowers & Pitsea on Tuesday before they travel to the league leaders Hornchurch next Saturday.