Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Haringey Borough at Coles Park on Tuesday evening.

On a cold Valentines Day in North London, the Gulls were out to woo their loyal following and break home fans hearts, as they bounced back from their first defeat in six, and did so with a professional performance.

It took them just 5 minutes to take the lead. Joe Paxman, returning to the starting lineup after injury, found room down the right and put in a cross that found Charlie Edwards, who had time to turn and fire home from inside the penalty area.

The more Canvey probed, the more they found holes in the Haringey back four. Paxman nearly extended Canvey's lead minutes later, but fired across goal and wide. It was then Edwards turn to burst through on goal shortly after, but he poked his effort just wide of goal with Josh Strizovic between the Haringey sticks beaten.

Their shortcomings in front of goal allowed the hosts to stettle as the half wore on however, as they started to gain more possession without really threatening clear chances at the Canvey goal.
A Ben Allen free kick into the side netting just before half time was the only effort that came close.

Into the second half and an injury to Evans Kouassi saw him replaced by Ashley Nzala within the first few minutes. With the Gulls looking to shift their formation so early, Haringey went on the offensive and took advantage, with Josiah Bridgeman equalising on 52 minutes, firing home from a cross at the far post.

Canvey didn't let this deflate them as on Saturday though, and responded well. Nzala began moving the ball skillfully down the left and on 59 minutes, he put in an excellent cross that Bradley Sach got on the end of, but his goal bound effort was blocked brilliantly by a defender.

Not long after, another drive forward saw a free kick awarded 25 yards from goal. Conor Hubble stepped up and put a cross deep into the area. Charlie Edwards got a precise touch, but Strizovic did well to turn it away to safety down low.

The resulting corner from Hubble caused chaos in the Haringey defence however, and Sach was there to fire home from close range for his 16th league goal of the season, to restore Canvey's lead.

They managed the game well for the final 30 minutes, preventing Haringey from finding any attacking momentum, defending quite comfortably and threatening at times on the break. Several injuries to Haringey players forced four minutes of stoppage time, but the Gulls did enough to see out the game and claim a big three points on the road.

The victory takes Canvey temporarily back into the top 5 with other results pending. They now face crucial game on Saturday at home to fellow play off contenders and the leagues form side, Enfield Town.