Match report by David Powell.

Canvey Island came away with a point after a 1-1 draw with Brentwood Town at the Brentwood Arena.

In a game that took a while to get going, Canvey will feel they could have taken all three points especially after Brentwood were reduced to 10 men for the final 10 minutes of the game.

Both sides cancelled each other out during the first half with defences very much on top and chances at a premium.

Canvey enjoyed the lions’ share of possession but other than an Elliott Ronto shot that cleared the crossbar, they created very little.

Bobby Mason was forced into action twice saving a header from former Billericay captain Rob Swaine and then pushing away a tricky left wing cross from Andy Freeman.

A rare moment of skill in an otherwise dour first half gave Canvey the lead just before half time. Evans Kouassi picked the ball up on the left, darted past a defender and played a sublime chipped cross that found Dan Humphreys at the far post. The right back got a slight touch with his head to guide the ball past Ollie Bowles and put Canvey in front.

The goal came at a perfect time and Canvey came out all guns blazing for the second half dominating the first 15 minutes.
Straight from the restart, Kouassi darted past two players down the right and fizzed in a cross that Harrison Chatting was unable to guide towards goal.

Kouassi then on 48 minutes picked the ball up on the halfway line and raced towards goal, curling an effort just wide.

Kouassi was at the heart of much of Canvey’s attacking play. On 53 minutes, he cut the ball back from the left to Ronto who drilled in a low shot from 20 yards that Bowles saved. Kouassi then beat Robbie Rees down the right and chipped in a cross that landed on the roof of the net.

Canvey continued their pressure. Chatting found some room in the penalty area but Jake Gould made a great block to deny the midfielder.

Canvey were forced into a change with Humphreys coming off and Rob Lacey going on to play at right back. The change unsettled Canvey for a while and on 61 minutes a cross from the right found Wilberforce Ocran at the far post who smashed home into the roof of the net to equalise for Brentwood.

Canvey were rocking a little now. Former Gull Sam Bantick broke through down the left but chipped over the crossbar on 64 minutes then a minute later Freeman in a similar position broke through but Mason was down brilliantly to push his effort away.

Swaine then had an effort blocked before Bantick fired the loose ball high and wide from a corner.

Canvey regained their composure and dominated the final 15 minutes. Tobi Joseph headed wide from Conor Hubble’s left wing free-kick and then with 10 minutes to go, the game swung heavily in their favour when Connor Hogan saw a second yellow card for hauling down Chatting as he threatened to break down the left.

Canvey controlled possession for the remaining time but despite their patient build-up just couldn’t find a way past a well-drilled Brentwood backline.

Kouassi tested Bowles with a 20 yard shot and in injury time the keeper did well to dive to his right and hold a curling effort from Jamie Salmon.

In the end Gulls had to settle for a point but will take heart from a good display against a side who many expect to be in and around the promotion positions this season.