On a cold night at Theobolds Lane Canvey Island slumped to another disappointing defeat. In a scrappy first half he Gulls suffered an early setback when Captain Elliot Ronto went off after 10 minutes with what looked like a serious injury. An other dubious offside decision then led to a Michael Salako header being ruled out.

As we entered first half stoppage time a coming together between Oliver Reeve and a Cheshunt player on the edge of the area was rashly ruled as a penalty and Sam Granville sent Luis Lines the wrong away and tucked the ball into the opposite corner to give the Ambers the lead at half time.

On 50 minutes the Gulls got a lifeline when Lordon Akolbire was sent off for a second yellow card but a minute later Cheshunt caught us on the break and Matthias Fanimo scored to make it 2-0.

For the rest of the 2nd half Canvey were on top and pressed to try to get back into the game. They had multiple chances in the box but could not get past Aymen Azaze in the Cheshunt goal and when Scott Kashket did get it past the keeper a defender was there to clear off the line.

When pressing towards the end Canvey had a succession of corners put poor delivery meant we could not capitalise on our opportunities.

We now have two games in a week at the Steves Taxis Stadium to try to find some form and pick up some much needed points.

Up the Gulls

Match Report: Nick Wright