Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island's undefeated league record came to an end after 14 games with a defeat to Dereham Town at Park Lane.

Gulls' Norfolk opponents came into the match in 2nd place and were good value for their win edging a close game and defending well to keep Canvey's prolific attack out.

Canvey started well with Matt Price forcing a corner from a shot in the opening minute of the game.

On 16 minutes, a fine pass from Harrison Chatting presented Price with an opportunity but he volleyed wide from 18 yards.

After this it was Dereham who created the better opportunities for the remainder of the half and they opened the scoring on 18 minutes.

Shaun Bammant received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired in a sweet left footed strike that beat Bobby Mason and went in off of the underside of the crossbar.

It was nearly 2-0 4 minutes later when Toby Hilliard found space in the penalty area but Mason came off his line well to spread himself and make the save.

Mason then made another fine save diving low to his left to turn aside Adam Hipperson's low effort before making a fine double save to deny Rhys Logan and then Hilliard.

Canvey's best chance of the half came on 31 minutes from a well worked free kick. Chatting squared the ball to Jey Siva who then picked him out with a fine ball into the penalty area. Chatting headed the ball back across goal to Price who fired over from close range.

Hilliard knocked a left wing cross from Logan wide of the target as the half drew to a close.

Dereham continued to look the better team in the second half as Canvey huffed and puffed. They had plenty of possession but struggled to break down a well organised Dereham defence.

On 57 minutes, Mason made a fantastic save to prevent Logan's 25 yard free kick from curling into the top corner of the net.

A minute later Hipperson's shot hit the top of the crossbar before the same player saw a speculative long range effort crash off of the post to safety.

Canvey brought on Callum Fitzer and Southend loanee defender Miles Mitchell-Nelson making his first appearance after signing on a month's loan from the Conference National club.

Gulls came close when Evans Kouassi who was kept relatively quiet by Dereham's defence got down the left and crossed for Conor Hubble to head just too high and wide.

Canvey enjoyed the greater possession in the final 15 minutes of the game as they probed the Dereham rearguard without any success. Chatting forced Elliott Pride into a good save with a shot from the left and then Kouassi had an effort blocked well by a defender.

The final chance of the game fell to Aaron Russell who has enjoyed a good season for Benfleet chipping in with several fine goals from midfield. In the 3rd minute of injury time, Russell got on the end of Price's lay off but lifted his shot from the edge of the penalty area over the crossbar.

Despite the defeat, Canvey remain at the top of the Isthmian North with games in hand but will be eager to get back to winning ways when Stowmarket Town visit Park Lane next weekend.

Photo: KJA Sports Images