Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island began their 2021/22 Isthmian Division One North season with a 2-2 draw against Stowmarket Town at Greens Meadow.

Gulls twice lead against their opponents who were playing their first ever game at Isthmian level after winning promotion from the Eastern Counties League.

The Suffolk side twice came back to level although Gulls will feel they did enough to win an entertaining game.

Canvey enjoyed the better of the first half with Evans Kouassi in particular a real nuisance to the Stowmarket defence on the wing.

On 13 minutes a good period of pressure saw Kouassi’s left wing cross acrobatically volleyed over by Harrison Chatting at the far post.

Moments later James Bradbrook was called into action for the first time beating away a powerful effort from Matt Price.

Although Canvey controlled much of the opening half hour, Stowmarket were still a threat and an effort by George Bugg went into the side netting after some hesitancy in the Canvey defence allowed him to get to the ball just before Bobby Mason.

Canvey took the lead on 35 minutes thanks to a fine strike by Kouassi. Picking the ball up on the left, the skilful winger bamboozled a couple of defenders to cut in and fire an effort into the far corner of the net.

Stowmarket may have drawn level just before half time but a right wing cross was scuffed wide at the far post.

To their credit, they made a superb start to the second half and drew level when a fine right wing cross was headed powerfully home at the far post by Josh Mayhew.

Canvey were rocking a little and Mason saved well from Evan Collard’s shot on 55 minutes.

They suffered an injury blow when Conor Hubble pulled up and had to be replaced by Tobi Tinubu making his debut for the Gulls.

The diminutive winger was influential in Gulls going back in front on 60 minutes. Linking up with Jey Siva down the left, Tinubu put in a superb cross that Price met with an inch perfect header that flew into the corner of the net.

Canvey’s lead lasted barely ten minutes though when some sloppy defending allowed Collard space to fire a shot from the left hand side of the penalty area that beat Mason at his near post.

Canvey regained their composure and some more magic from Kouassi provided a chance for Price but his finish was high over the crossbar.

Stowmarket featured Bermudan international striker Reggie Lambe who played professionally for the likes of Carlisle and Cambridge United and he came close to winning the game for Stowmarket on 75 minutes when he got his head to a right wing cross but his effort drifted inches wide.

The last chance of the game fell to Canvey and to Tinubu on 85 minutes when a cross was punched out by the keeper and fell to the substitute who fired over from 18 yards.

Canvey had to settle for a point and will now focus their attentions on the FA Cup next weekend when they face Waltham Abbey at Park Lane.