Canvey Island produced their most impressive display of the season with a 5-1 win over Witham Town at the Simarco Stadium.

In front of a 400 plus crowd and despite having 10 men for much of the match, Gulls were good value for their win playing some fine attacking football.

Ben Allen in particular on his debut had an excellent match.

After a positive start from Canvey, Witham took the lead on 16 minutes after a shot from George Smith took a deflection and wrong footed David Hughes as it sailed into the net.

The goal galvanized Canvey with Allen scoring two goals in the space of a few minutes.

The midfielder signed from Tilbury got his first on 19 minutes getting on the end of a left wing cross to flick a header home past Elliott Justham.

Moments later Allen picked up the ball twenty yards out and curled a superb effort past Justham to give Gulls the lead.

The game seemingly turned in Witham's favour when Alfie Cutbush was sent off for a second yellow card after conceding a free kick on the edge of the penalty area on 30 minutes.

The resulting free kick came back off of the post with Hughes having to turn the rebound over.

It was Gulls though who extended their lead with George Okoye heading a right wing corner home at the near post on 36 minutes.

Into the second half and Canvey went into a commanding lead on 57 minutes when Ross Wall was the first to Josh Curry's right wing cross to power a header beyond Justham and into the net.

With ten men, Canvey still had a lot of work to do to defend their lead.

On 73 minutes an effort from them was deflected on to the crossbar and moments later Hughes did well to push an effort away from Ryan Mallet that came through a sea of bodies.

Mason Gillam then headed a presentable chance wide at the near post from a right wing corner but it was Canvey who added a 5th in the 88th minute.

A good passing move saw the ball played into Ben Coker who was one on one with Justham.

He beat the keeper but his effort came off the inside of the post and hit Mallet to help the ball into the net.

There was some doubt over whether the ball had crossed the line but the former Southend defender certainly will be claiming his first goal for Canvey.

The goal completed the scoring and after a disappointing defeat to Walthamstow a fortnight ago, this was a much better display from Canvey to record a fourth win in their last six league games.

Match Report by David Powell.