Match Report by David Powell
Photo Credit - Vicki Scott

Canvey Island continued their fine run of new years form with a superb 2-0 victory against fellow playoff chasers Carshalton Athletic, at the War Memorial Ground.

In the last month, the Gulls have taken a healthy 13 points and ended two of the league's three unbeaten home records. They again were good value for their victory, taking their chances well and defending resolutely when they needed to.

A cagey first half saw few clear chances. The home side had a handful of punts at Bobby Mason's goal, though shots by Matty Vigor and Alex Akrofi either drifted high and wide or were comfortably held by the keeper.
Likewise at the other end, despite good movement in the attack, Canvey were limited to a few Bradley Sach glances at goal, held easily by Danny Bracken, when on target.

As the game looked to be heading in goalless at the break, Sach wouldn't have believed his luck as he was gifted the perfect opportunity to give Canvey the lead.

Evans Kouassi found room down the left and charged forward. Although a defender managed to dispossess him, his pass back to goalkeeper Danny Bracken was gratefuly intercepted by an onside Sach, who cooly finished past the keeper to give the Gulls the lead with the last action of the half.

Into the second half and they may have thought their luck had burned bright too quickly as they saw Mason Hall need to come off. Rob Girdlestone took his place at the back.

Carshalton raised their game following the break, but created little of note in front of goal.

Elliott Johnson and Rob Girdlestone kept rock solid at the back, with the Gulls working hard in midfield to close Carshalton down and disrupt any attacking momentum they looked to summon.

They almost got a freak second goal as a looping cross in from Kouassi struck the far post and was scrambled clear.

Carshalton then had a few chances of their own, with Akinwande being denied by a challenge from Elliott Johnson, before Bobby Mason was forced to stand tall at his near post to deny the hosts their equaliser.
The hosts rung in the changes with a triple substitution and their change of pace gifted Tom Beere a chance shortly after, but he headed wide for the Robins.

Canvey made changes of their own, with Sorondo and Nzala coming into the game. It proved to be the correct call from Brad Wellmen as they sealed the game with 10 minutes remaining.

Nzala's fresh pace began finding pockets of space in the hosts backline, and his attacking impetuous found him in room to play an excellent cross to Charlie Edwards, the midfielder sweeping home Canvey's second from near the penalty spot to seal the points.

The goal meant they were able to see out the remaining time quite comfortably, taking the wind of their opponents sails to gain their fourth league win in five games.

With Cray Wanderers losing in the pack above them, the three points proved massive as the Gulls slotted themselves in a 5th place playoff spot.
With many of the sides around them on good form however, they'll want to hold that spot as Billericay Town come to the Moviestarr Stadium next weekend.