Match report by David Powell

Canvey Island remained top of the Isthmian League North after a 4-1 win over Basildon United.

In front of a crowd of 431, Canvey were comfortable winners and looked sharp and full of energy after a break of two weeks without a fixture.

After a slow opening 25 minutes which saw both Evans Kouassi and Conor Hubble firing over from the edge of the penalty area, Gulls took the lead with a well taken effort from Bradley Sach. Kouassi slid a pass into Sach who did brilliantly to turn Valckx Fernandes and fire low into the bottom corner of the net.

It was 2-0 around 5 minutes before half time. Kouassi drove down the left and his cross was partially cleared but only to Odei Martin Sorondo who slammed a low finish from 12 yards into the net.

The match was as good as over 12 minutes into the second half when Canvey scored a third goal. Hubble’s cross was partially cleared by Aundre Wholas Spencer but fell to Matt Price who turned and fired into the net despite Emmanuel Olajide getting a hand to the ball.

Canvey’s comfortable lead allowed them to bring on O’Shane Stewart to make his debut after signing on loan from Southend United during the week. He replaced Hubble in the midfield.

Basildon briefly rallied pulling a goal back through Daniel McCullock on 73 minutes after he pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and fired past Bobby Mason.

Canvey put the gloss on an excellent performance with Kouassi scoring a thoroughly deserved goal on 85 minutes.

The winger picked up the ball on the left hand edge of the penalty area and from 20 yards curled a magnificent strike into the bottom corner of the net that Olajide had no chance of saving.

The final whistle blew to seal a solid win in which Canvey showed a clinical edge in front of goal. Gulls remain a point above Stowmarket in the table and will look to continue a good run of results when they travel to Coggeshall next weekend.

Photo: KJA Sports Images