Match report by David Powell

Canvey Island began 2022 with an impressive 3-1 victory over local rivals Grays Athletic at Parkside in an Isthmian League North fixture.

After recording an emphatic victory over Tilbury on Bank Holiday Monday, Gulls were again good value for their win and could have won by a greater margin but for a fine goalkeeping display by Danny Sambridge.

They were in front after just 3 minutes. After Matt Price's shot was deflected just wide by Geofrey Okonkwo from the resulting corner Elliott Ronto's header was saved well by Sambridge but from the resulting scramble Evans Kouassi was able to fire the ball home.

It was all Canvey in the opening 25 minutes of the game. Kouassi sent a shot high and wide on 14 minutes and then after good work by Price and Kouassi, Conor Hubble worked some space to fire in a curling shot that just cleared the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

Kouassi and Hubble then combined well to provide a chance for Price who got on the end of Hubble's cross-shot from the right but blazed over an open goal. His blushes were spared by a linesman's flag for offside.

On 26 minutes Canvey went further in front. Tobi Tinibu who enjoyed an excellent game at right back charged down Macauley Joynes attempted clearance, gathered possession and calmly fired the ball past Sambridge to register his first competitive goal for the club.

Against the run of play, Grays reduced the arrears 5 minutes later. Aron Gordon broke into the penalty area from the right and as he was tackled the ball broke to Kai Brown who fired past Bobby Mason from 6 yards.

Despite this setback, Canvey continued to dominate. Only a brilliant save from Sambridge to deny Odei Martin Sorondo when he burst through on goal from Kouassi's pass prevented Gulls from scoring a third before half time.

Ronto fired wide from 12 yards before Freddy Moncur volleyed an effort straight at Mason that the keeper comfortably saved.

It was important Canvey started the second half well to protect their slender lead and they did just this scoring a third on 51 minutes.

Sambridge produced another magnificent save diving to his right to keep out Kouassi's close range effort before saving Hubble's follow up. He was powerless to stop Martin Sorondo bundling home the loose ball to score his first goal for Canvey since arriving from Concord Rangers on a dual contract.

Grays responded with a couple of chances but Mason came off his line well to save from Kai Brown and then saved Joe Paxman's effort.

The game was nearly put beyond doubt on 65 minutes when Price broke down the left found Hubble who in turn passed to Ronto but his low shot from 20 yards was parried to safety by Sambridge.

The impressive Kouassi then burst down the left beat the onrushing Sambridge to the ball but was eventually crowded out by a number of defenders before he could find a teammate to pass to.

Grays enjoyed a great deal of possession in the final 15 minutes of the game but Canvey stood resolute with Rob Girdlestone in particular excellent in defence and produced a highly professional performance.

Mason was forced into one more save in injury time when he turned Joseph Agunbiade's low shot from the edge of the penalty area around the post but the final whistle blew soon afterwards to seal an important victory that keeps Canvey hot on the tails of league leaders Stowmarket Town.