Match report by David Powell

Canvey Island continued their impressive start to the season with an excellent 4-2 victory over Brentwood Town at Park Lane in this Pitching In Isthmian League Division One North fixture.

Despite the petrol crisis and wet weather, the match attracted a decent midweek crowd of 266 and those that attended were rewarded with an exciting end to end game in which both teams played some good quality football scoring some fine goals.

Canvey were fast out of the blocks scoring within 5 minutes. After good work by Evans Kouassi the ball fell to Tobi Tinubu who lashed an effort from the right towards goal that caught a huge deflection off of the outstretched boot of Liam Hickey and flew into the net past keeper Ollie Bowles.

Canvey were in the ascendancy in the early stages. Mike Finneran headed wide from a free kick and then more good work by Kouassi provided a chance for Conor Hubble but his left footed shot was saved well by Bowles. Bowles then did well to get his fingertips to the ball to deflect an effort over the crossbar after Kouassi had made a surging run into the penalty area from the left.

After a slow start, Brentwood gradually settled. Good play by Tom Richardson provided a chance for Daniel Ogunleye but he headed down into the ground and straight at keeper Bobby Mason.

Finneran then prevented Ogunleye from getting a sight on goal before Canvey finished the half strongly with Finneran and then Harrison Chatting forcing saves from Bowles.

The second half was a different affair with Brentwood looking far more threatening. Ogunleye broke down the right and played through Andy Freeman who had an impressive game but a fine tackle from Jamie Salmon prevented the former Aveley winger from getting a strike in on goal.

Moments later Evangelos Empochontsif was judged to have pushed Richardson in the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty with Richardson stepping up and sending Mason the wrong way with a confident strike.

Canvey responded with Elliot Ronto curling a 20 yard effort just too high and wide and then Matt Price heading a Tinubu cross over the crossbar. On 57 minutes, Canvey found themselves behind. A counter attack saw Freeman break down the right and he fired a great finish across Mason and into the far corner of the net.

It would have been expected for Canvey to let their heads go down after conceding two quick goals but to their credit they fought back superbly and within 7 minutes were back in front again.

They were helped by a quite sensational strike by centre back Darnell Shakes making his full league debut. The defender picked the ball up around 35 yards from goal and hit a curling strike that arrowed into the top corner giving Bowles no chance.

After staring at defeat, Canvey were now reinvigorated and Chatting's low strike brought off another good save from Bowles who did well to turn his shot wide for a corner.

Conor Hubble had threatened with several quality set pieces into the penalty area but this time from a left wing kick his effort curved into the box beating defenders, attackers and the keeper as it nestled into the far corner of the net.

Canvey had come from 2-1 down to 3-2 up in the space of minutes and could have gone further in front when Kouassi weaved his way in from the left but fired into the side netting.

A thrilling end to end game then saw Freeman have an effort cleared off of the line by Chatting as Brentwood refused to go down without a fight.

The Canvey defence was living dangerously at times but a goal on 86 minutes meant they could enjoy the last few minutes in relative comfort.

Price broke and passed to Kouassi to darted into the penalty area sold the defender a 'dummy' before firing past Bowles to complete the scoring for Canvey.

A couple of brief flurries from Brentwood in the last few moments saw them come close to a third goal but Canvey were deserving of the three points for their never say die attitude. This victory takes them up to third in the Pitching In Isthmian League North after 6 games.