Match Report by Jonathan Andrews

Man of the match - Kane Gilbert

Canvey Island earned themselves a much needed three points at home on Saturday afternoon, as they resoundingly defeated mid table Lewes 4-0 at the Steves Taxis Stadium.

In front of 336 on a sunny afternoon at home, the Gulls showed their class and looked in control of the game for much of the 90 minutes, and for a few good saves and brushes with post, could have won by more.

In a first half where the Gulls dictated much of the play, they began to threaten the visitors goal as they got into their stride, with Darren Foxley and Kane Gilbert a menace down the flanks. It took just 14 minutes for the pressure to tell, as Canvey got themselves in front.

A short corner routine between Jeremy Santos and Darren Foxley saw the later float in a perfect cross to the back post, where Chris Harris was waiting to nod home and put Canvey ahead.

The Gulls kept their stamp on the game, limiting their opponents to very little, with the returning Elliott Johnson and Ollie Parsons doing well in a back three with Elliott Ronto to mop up whatever was thrown their way.

It was 2-0 on 32 minutes as Kane Gilbert, who had an impressive afternoon, got himself a deserved goal, heading home from pretty much the same spot Harris had earlier after another well worked corner lifted in by Santos.

The Gulls were enjoying themselves, and their set plays in particular were causing Lewes all kinds of trouble. Another well delivered corner by Santos almost brought a third just before the break, but the ball just skimmed over the heads of Harris and Foxley at the back post.

Into the second half and the Gulls didn't let up on the pressure, with the chances continuing to fall there way.

Kane Gilbert would be first to test Toby Bull after another well worked move saw him once again fed into space in front of goal, but Bull was equal to his effort this time as he did well to push the ball away.
It would then be Harris who'd go close to his second, with Bradley Sach doing well to jinx into the area and lift a cross in for his fellow target man, only for Harris' header to strike the far post and float across the face of goal, with the striker hitting the near post on the rebound before the ball could finally be bundled away for a corner.

He wouldn't be denied though, and from the corner on 68 minutes, he rose highest again to header in his brace and Canvey's third.

The visitors were having a nightmare, with their chances limited to a few breaks down the Gulls flanks, resulting in a few corners and one chance on target that Bobby Mason was able to comfortably palm away. Their afternoon went from bad to worse on 79 minutes, as Ethan Kaiser was shown a straight red card after a heavy challenge.

With their opponents down to 10, the Gulls were able to enjoy themselves, and very nearly added a 4th after a crazy goalmouth scramble following a Conor Hubble free kick saw both Harris and Sach unable to turn the ball home.

They'd get their 4th in injury time however, after Foxley got his name on the scoresheet, pouncing on a poor pass away from Bull to win the ball back and float a strike over the keeper and into the net.

The result - coupled with defeats from the sides below - now puts a 7 point buffer between the Gulls and drop zone ahead of the next round of fixtures.

Canveys immediate focus now turns to the Essex Senior Cup Final on Tuesday, as they take on Hornchurch for the chance at silverware.