Match Report by Jonathan Andrews
Photo Credit - Nicky Hayes

Canvey Island's miserable run of form extended to 7 straight defeats on Tuesday evening, as they lost 1-0 to fellow strugglers Cheshunt at the Steves Taxis Stadium.

In front of a paltry crowd of 209 after a day of heavy rain that threatened to postpone the game, the Gulls huffed and puffed but couldn't find a way to break down a visiting side who'd been on a decent run of form lately - and only had themselves to blame after another defensive error gifted the visitors a smash and grab three points in the battle avoid the drop.

Brad Wellmen made 2 changes to the side that lost at Cray Valley PM on Saturday, with Tobi Tinubu returning from suspension and Chris Harris available to partner Bradley Sach up front. In the visiting lineup were 2 former Gulls in Jack Munns and Lordon Akolbire - the laters red card from the weekend not carrying over into this game.

As has been the case the last few weeks, it was Canvey who started the game brighter but couldn't force the issue.
They were determined to change that though and they handled the slick surface better, with the likes of Harris, Foxley and Adebiyi putting in the graft to create chances around the visitors box.

They got their first sight of goal on 14 minutes as a neat ball to the backpost found Bradley Sach, but the striker saw visiting keeper Preston Edwards get hands to the ball before he could pull the trigger. Darren Foxley was first to sting the keeper's gloves five minutes later, but saw his curling effort saved.

The visitors hadn't been shy of goals lately however and created their own chances as the half ticked on, with their quick, direct play needing Canvey's defence to be alert. Their first chance on goal came from a corner on 25 minutes, but Bobby Mason was able to block it at the near post before the ball was turned behind. Tobias Braney had another half opportunity or two to test Mason, but couldn't do enough to trouble the Gulls keeper.

Canvey were still creating chances, though also failing to test Edwards in the opposite goal. Tom Stephen and Conor Hubble both dragged chances wide before Bradley Sach saw an effort clear the crossbar just before the halftime whistle sounded. The game was still very much in the balance.

Into the second half and it was the visitors who came out with renewed determination as they had a few good chances.

On 53 minutes, Kenny Coker almost gave the visitors the lead as he broke into the box and hit a shot past Mason. It hit the post though and deflected along the goal line, with Mason happy to get hands on the ball after a nervy moment. Loron Akolbire was next to go close against his former employer as he hit a shot into the side netting on 55 minutes.

Canvey needed a reaction, and they began to come forward again. After a scramble in the box earlier in the half saw a shot parried, they made their best chance on 63 minutes, as a ball into the area was struck by Hubble, who forced a good save from Edwards to turn his shot over the crossbar.

Despite a few more balls into the area though, the Gulls seemed shot shy again and didn't do enough to trouble Edwards. The same couldn't be said for the visitors though, firing a warning sign or two as they tested Mason at his near post, forcing him into a pair of good saves.

The game was still in the balance when disaster struck, as Canvey gifted their opponents what proved to be the winning goal. What looked to be a routine clearance from Jimmy Wallace was haphazardly sliced into the path of Kenny Coker, who took his chance as he rifled a shot past Mason open the scoring.

Wellmen brought Finlay Dorrell and Florian Kastrati on to try and turn the game back in Canvey's favour, but the visitors were happy to shut up shop as they looked to hold on for another 3 valuable points. Despite a few more balls into the area, nobody could hit a meaningful strike at Edwards goal, with time running out as the Gulls were once again defeated.

It was a damaging loss against another side in the relegation dogfight, leaving Canvey still just a point above the drop zone as their losing streak extended to seven straight games.

They'll need to pick themselves up and be prepared for much tougher on Saturday - with heavyweights Chatham Town the visitors to the Steves Taxis Stadium.