The Gulls continued their Isthmian North Division campaign with a 1-1 draw against Brightlingsea Regent at the Steve's Taxis Stadium. A poor game of football of few clear cut chances saw neither side really impose themselves. The Gulls enjoyed decent periods of possession but struggled to test the Regent defence. It was Garry Kimble’s who created the first chances of the clash. After seeing a corner scrambled away to safety, Omar Rowe then missed a gilt edged chance for Canvey on 22 minutes when he headed a right wing cross wide of the target from a few yards out. The R’s fired a long range free kick wide and then just before half time, Harry McDonald dribbled into the penalty area and fired in a low shot that David Hughes got down well to save.

Half-Time: Canvey Island 0-0 Brightlingsea Regent

Into the second half and the deadlock was broken just past the hour mark when Brightlingsea took the lead through Mekhi McKenzie after he poked home a right wing cross at the near post. The R’s keeper Roan Tucker made a fine reaction save tipping over a volley from Elliot Ronto soon after. Canvey found an equaliser inside the last ten minutes when Connor Hubble found George Scales in space on the left and his low shot was helped in by Regent’s Jensen Mulqueen. Conor Hubble thought he had won the game for Gulls in injury time when after good play by new signing Michael Bareck on the edge of the penalty area, his lobbed shot drifted just wide of the target. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and now Gulls come away from the league next weekend when they start their FA Cup campaign with an away tie at Kings Langley.

Full-Time: Canvey Island 1-1 Brightlingsea Regent

Match Report by David Powell