Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island completed a league double over high flying Hornchurch, becoming the first team to win at Bridge Avenue in the league this season, after a superb 3-1 victory.

On another afternoon where the weather played it's hand in the pace of the game, the Gulls were deserving in their victory, working hard to keep out the attacking threat of Sam Higgins and Liam Nash for the Urchins, and taking their chances well when opportunities came their way.

In a subdued opening to the game, where the battle for possession was fought in midfield, it was Canvey who made the first chance of note as Evans Kouassi had a deflected cross strike the crossbar. The lively winger would make his mark on the game not long after however as he gave Canvey the lead on 29 minutes.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area after good work down the flanks from the Gulls, he turned and fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the net to put Canvey one to the good.

Hornchurch looked to responded quickly, with Ola Ogunwamide heading wide from a Micky Parcell cross, but their impatience caught them out as Canvey hit them break on the stroke of half time, doubling their lead to the delight of the Yellow Army who'd travelled. Another move on the left saw the ball played to Bradley Sach, who calmly swept home the cross.

Hornchurch needed to start the second half well to have a chance of getting back into the game and they twice tested Bobby Mason in the Canvey goal, with efforts from Ogunwamide and Nash being saved well by the keeper in the opening exchanges.

They were handed a lifeline midway through the half, when Sam Mvemba was judged to have handled in the penalty area. Higgins stepped up and fired a confident penalty home to half the deficit.

With 25 minutes to go, it looked set to be a nervous last quarter of the game for Canvey, but on 68 minutes a stunning strike gave them a two goal cushion.

After winning a free kick around 30 yards out, Conor Hubble stepped up to curl a magnificent effort over the defensive wall and past keeper Joe Wright, with the ball clipping the underside of the crossbar as it flew into the top corner.

The goal stunned Hornchurch, although good work by former Canvey striker Tobi Joseph provided a chance for Higgins who sliced wide of goal shortly after.

Sach saw a low strike saved well by Wright as Canvey continued to play quick on the break. Hornchurch pushed forward in the last ten minutes but found the Canvey rearguard in great form, with Mason Hall in particular commanding in the centre of defence.

Joe Christou had a header cleared off of the line in the last few minutes but Canvey held on to seal an excellent victory that takes them up to 4th place in the league.

An action packed January has seen them take 7 points from a possible 9. They'll hope that good form continues as they make the long trip to Lewes this Tuesday evening.