Canvey Island 0-1 Soham Town Rangers

Canvey Island fell to their third consecutive home defeat on Saturday, losing 1-0 to Soham Town Rangers in the BetVictor Isthmian League North.

Manager Mark Bentley made one change from the side that beat Witham Town 7-1 on Tuesday night. Goalkeeper Rob Budd was attending a wedding and was therefore unavailable, with Emmanuel Idem returning following his successful debut against Bury Town earlier in the month.

After a quiet opening, Canvey crafted the first chance of the afternoon on 15 minutes when James White saw a free kick hit the side netting.

Emmanuel Idem was called into action on 29 minutes, coming off his line to save one-on-one against an attacker bearing down on goal.

With the scores level at the break, the Gulls started the second half brightly. On 48 minutes Jason Hallett saw a shot saved when through on goal, and soon afterwards Ryan Melaugh saw his effort cleared after Hallett’s backheel had gone across the face of goal.

On 63 minutes Ernest Okoh did well to dribble into the area from the wing, passing to Tobi Joseph who struck his shot straight at visiting goalkeeper Josh Pope.

Soham scored the only goal of the game four minutes later when an excellent cross found substitute Lloyd Groves who managed to head home from close range.

They should have put the result beyond doubt on 83 minutes when Sam Mulready saw his shot deflected wide for a corner when well placed.

Canvey pushed for an equaliser, but the closest they came was another Tobi Joseph shot which was saved by the keeper.