Match Report by David Powell
Photo Credit - Dan Goody

Canvey Island put themselves in contention for a late title challenge as they came back from a goal down to beat Hastings United 3-1 at the Moviestarr Stadium.

In front of a season’s best league crowd of 701 on Non League Day, the Gulls once again found themselves able to come back from a goal behind at half time with a stellar second half performance.

A depleted Canvey side saw them with just 3 substitutes available, one of those a goalkeeper. Tobi Tinubu came in for Odei Martin Sorondo, with Elliott Johnson returning to the starting line up after being unavailable in the week.

A minutes applause was well observed by all in the ground before kick off for the late Steve Knott, who sadly passed away last week.

The first half saw the Gulls meet a well organised side in Hastings, with their back four limiting any chances whilst they strived for a goal of their own at the other end.

Conor Hubble had Canvey's best chances of the half as he fired an effort over the crossbar. Their afternoon wasn't helped when they were forced into an early change, with Joe Paxman picking up a shoulder injury, Luca Albon replacing him.

Hastings pressure began to tell however as it gifted them the opener on the half hour mark. A dangerous corner saw Craig Stone turn the ball over the line after David Smith had headed the ball towards goal, with Canvey unable to clear their lines.

They'd be left to curse their luck shortly after as David Smith struck the post with an angled strike, with Canvey thankful theirs was in. Still, as half time came, the visitors were deserving of their lead, much to the delight of their numerous travelling support.

In the classic 'game of two halves' fashion though, it was Canvey who came out the better side in the second half, finding an equaliser on 56 minutes.

Good work by Evans Kouassi down the left saw him cut into the box and drop a well weighted cross to Bradley Sach at the far post, who made no mistake as he fired first time past Louis Rogers.

Canvey now had the momentum, playing with plenty of confidence, but still had to be wary of the threat that Hastings posed on the counter. They could have regained their lead shortly after the equaliser, but Bobby Mason made a good save at his near post from Joe Gbode to keep things level.

Rob Girdlestone had Canvey's next big chance as he saw a header float inches wide of the post. The pressure would tell soon enough though when took the lead on 75 minutes in stunning fashion.

Luca Albon picked the ball up 25 yards from goal, set up his angle correctly and fired a thunderous strike into the top corner, with visiting keeper Louis Rogers rooted to his line.

The goal knocked the wind out of the visitors sails, allowing Canvey to push forward in an attempt to kill off the game. Hubble fired another long range effort just wide of the post as the chances began to fall more and more their way.

The result was sealed 9 minutes from time when Kouassi was fouled in the penalty area as he attempted to round the keeper. The spot kick duty was left to Conor Hubble as he stepped up and fired in a confident penalty to seal the result.

There was still time for Bradley Sach to have another effort at goal, but he saw his late strike drift just over the crossbar and into the terrace.

Full time would come however and the result proved to be a huge one, with the Gulls moving up to third in the table after Aveley could only draw with Brightlingsea. That, coupled with Hornchurch's late defeat at home saw Canvey move within just two points of top spot with only five games remaining.

With eight points now between them and 6th placed Cray Wanderers, their momentum has seen them nearly secure the playoff place they sought. They'll not be able to show any signs of complacency however, with another big match away at Wingate & Finchley next Saturday.