Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island suffered opening day disappointment on Saturday afternoon, as they were beaten 2-1 away at newly promoted Chichester City in their Isthmian League Premier opener.

On a hot August afternoon in West Sussex, it was a first ever meeting between the two sides following the hosts promotion via the Isthmian South East playoffs last season.

Canvey gave full debuts to six players - four of which started the game - with three of their four new signings on the day part of the squad. They were still lacking in a few personnel however, with new striker Chris Harris unavailable and Harry Hope, Jimmy Wallace and Mason Hall still unavailable through injury.

In a cagey first half, the Gulls seemed to have the upper hand on their opponents, taking the lead after an initially saved penalty, but a second half collapse saw them ship two cheap goals, allowing the hosts to shut them out and seal a first win at Step 3.

It was the Gulls who made the better start to the game, moving the ball around well and asking questions of the hosts rearguard, especially on the flanks, where Tobi Tinubu and Matt Yates began poking holes.

The pressure told on 8 minutes as another foray in the area saw the referee award a penalty to the Gulls after he spotted a handball in the area. Hubble took responsibility from the spot and, although Kieran Magee saved his initial spot kick, the midfielder was able to fire home the rebound to grab the Canvey's first goal of the new season.

This seemed to spur the hosts into action however, and they showed a tenacious reaction to grow back into the game and start asking their own questions of the Canvey defence.

Bobby Mason, who made his second debut for the club, was forced into a fine close range save to deny Jimmy Wild on 13 minutes, before later saving across his goal to convincingly push away a 25 yard free kick from Isaac Bello.

The hosts were starting to enjoy their own space on the flanks, with the tricky wing play of Bello and Mo Jammah giving the Gulls headaches. Oli Parsons and Elliot Johnson were on hand to marshall the defence though, clearing up most of what the hosts threw their way.

Into the second half and it was the Gulls who created the first chance, with Finlay Dorrell breaking into space but pulling his shot wide of the mark.

However, it was the hosts asking most of the questions as they continued the rhythm they held at the end of the first half. It came as little suprise when they equalised on on 57 minutes. After a few pot shots that Mason held comfortably, a lapse in concentration at the back allowed the hosts to break down their right flank, with the ball being played into an unmarked Jimmy Wild, and the Lillywhites marksman made little mistake with a composed strike to beat Mason and level the game.

The hosts smelled blood in the water whilst the Canvey defence looked all at sea. It was another defensive lapse that allowed the hosts to go ahead on 64 minutes. The Gulls failed to clear their lines and the resulting pinball saw Joe Moore find the finishing touch at the back post to turn the game on its head.

Brad Wellmen rung the changes, with Sanchez, Gilbert and Livings-Corbin all introduced, but an organised Chichester looked to shut out whatever the Gulls thew their way.
Jamie Salmon began finding space to launch a few good balls forward, but the hosts found a way to clear their lines after a spell of pressure. Kane Gilbert tried his best to break through their lines, but found himself on the end of a dubious offside call or two.

In the end, the Gulls ran out of time, leaving then flustered in the heat as the hosts basked in the sunlight of their first win.

Canvey will need to put the defeat behind them quickly though, and rally for another big match on Tuesday evening, where Hashtag United are the visitors to the Steves Taxi's Stadium.