Canvey Island 1-3 Maldon & Tiptree

Canvey Island’s good performance against Maldon & Tiptree on Tuesday night went unrewarded, losing 3-1 at Park Lane in the BetVictor Isthmian League North.

Manager Mark Bentley made three changes from the side that defeat Cambridge City a week earlier. Defender Darren Phillips and forward Sam Bantick both missed out through injury, with Michael Finneran and Rob Lacey coming into the side in their place.

Rob Budd returned in goal, replacing Emmanuel Idem following his brief stint at the club.

After a quiet opening, Maldon took the lead on 21 minutes following a counter attack. A cross into the area found tall forward Charlee Hughes who finished nearly.

The Gulls equalised 12 minutes later when Jason Hallett did well to skip through the Maldon defence. The ball fell loose but was collected by Rob Lacey who steered home his third goal of the campaign.

Canvey had the ball in the back of the net again three minutes before half time when it was bundled over the line from close range following a header from Michael Finneran. However, the goal was chalked off after the referee had spotted a foul on Jammers’ goalkeeper Ben McNamara.

Having scored in the first half, Charlee Hughes should have done so again on 59 minutes when an excellent cross found him six yards from goal. This time however Hughes was unable to finish, missing a golden opportunity to put his side back in front.

Michael Finneran had a header saved by the keeper on 68 minutes. This proved to be a big save for the visitors, as two minutes later they retook the lead. A scramble inside the penalty area was eventually forced home by substitute Danny Parish who had only been introduced eight minutes earlier.

Canvey had a great chance to level the scores for a second time on 82 minutes when George Woodward sent a superb ball into the box from the left. Either Rob Lacey or Kane Gilbert could have nodded the cross home, but somehow neither was able to apply the all-important finish.

With Canvey chasing the game, Maldon rounded off their victory with a third goal with virtually the last kick off the match. Caught short in defence, substitute Hamza Kaid finished off a counter attack to make the winning margin greater than the match had suggested.