Match report by David Powell

Canvey Island increased their unbeaten record in the league to 12 matches with a 1-0 win over Coggeshall Town at Park Lane.

In a tight game watched by 420, Gulls had to wait until the 88th minute to score the winner with substitute Callum Fitzer making an instant impact off of the bench.

After several emphatic and comfortable victories for Canvey in the last month this was a much tougher game with Coggeshall defending well and on occasions showing glimpses of attacking flair.

Canvey made a good start to the game and created the best chances in the opening 20 minutes. After Evans Kouassi broke down the right he squared the ball to Matt Price who slipped at the vital moment.

Harrison Chatting then had a shot blocked by a defender before Bobby Mason made his first save of the afternoon parrying away a shot from Alex Teniola after a quick free kick.

Coggeshall goalkeeper Matt Cafer then had to be alert to save an awkward bouncing effort from Elliott Ronto and then bravely claim the loose ball at the feet of Price.

Canvey suffered an injury blow when Rob Girdlestone was forced off on 33 minutes to be replaced by Ben Sampayo and this change did affect Canvey's momentum as they took a while to reorganise.

Teniola headed just wide of the top corner from a right wing cross on 39 minutes and a few minutes later former Canvey player Ayrton Coley saw a free kick from the edge of the penalty area drift just wide of the goal.

The score line was 0-0 at half time and the second half was a tense affair with few chances as both sides cancelled each other out.

Kouassi fired wide of the far post and then Ronto headed Kouassi's right wing cross wide when Price was better placed but despite their pressure and Kouassi's best efforts it looked like the game would finish goalless.

That was until the 88th minute when Fitzer who scored his first goal for the club in last Saturday's 6-0 drubbing of Yaxley popped up to score the all important winner with pretty much his first touch of the ball.

Kouassi picked the ball up on the left, tricked his way past a defender and crossed low to Fitzer who smashed a low finish home at the near post to the delight of the home supporters.

There was little time for Coggeshall to recover and with the likes of Dereham, Sudbury and Aveley picking up wins, this proved to be a crucial victory for Canvey as they maintained their lead at the top of the Pitching In Isthmian League North.

Photo: KJA Sports Images