Match report by David Powell

Canvey Island secured a play off spot with a record breaking 13-0 win over a relegated Romford side at Park Lane.

It was Canvey’s biggest win in nearly 40 years breaking the previous record an 11-0 win over Coggeshall in the Essex Senior League in 1984.

Bradley Sach scored 5 of the goals with Evans Kouassi claiming a hat-trick and but for some good goalkeeping from former Canvey keeper Rob Budd, the score line would have been far worse for Romford.

Within 2 minutes, Gulls took the lead. Conor Hubble played a short corner to Evans Kouassi received the ball back and fired a shot low into the bottom corner of the net via the aid of a deflection.

Worse was to follow on 13 minutes when Kouassi got in behind the Romford defence and the loose ball fell to Sach whose shot from 8 yards was deflected over Budd and into the net.

It was 3-0 after just 20 minutes. From Hubble’s right wing corner, Mason Hall rose highest at the far post to send a towering header into the net for his first goal in a Canvey shirt.

Within half an hour the score-line was 4-0. Hubble this time scoring a superb free kick from 25 yards that flew past Budd and into the top corner of the net.

Canvey were now absolutely rampant. Former Gull Tambeson Eyong nearly put the ball into his own net clearing the crossbar by inches before from the resulting corner, Budd made a fine reaction save to deny Sach.

Kouassi was absolutely tearing the Romford defence apart and on 39 minutes after good play by O’ Shane Stewart, the tricky winger surged into the penalty area but his effort was saved well by the legs of Budd.

It was Kouassi who was influential in Canvey’s 5th goal on the stroke of half time. After a run through the middle his pass released Sach who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

There was no let up from Canvey in the second half as they continued to dominate.

On 47 minutes, it was 6-0. Kouassi cut in from the left and fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

4 minutes later it was 7. Hubble went down in the penalty area and from the resulting penalty kick, Kouassi fired confidently past Budd.

The Romford defence had now completely fallen apart as they struggled to contain Canvey’s pace and movement.

On 53 minutes, Elliott Ronto got his name on the scoresheet after getting on the end of Hubble’s low ball across goal. His first effort was initially blocked but he fired the loose ball home.

On 57 minutes it was 9-0 with Kouassi completing his hat-trick. Sach’s deflected effort was heading towards goal but Kouassi made sure touching the ball over the line.

Stewart who enjoyed a fine game in the centre of the park had an effort beaten away by Budd and Sach fired over before a 10th goal arrived on 63 minutes.

Odei Martin Sorondo found Kouassi down the left and he drove into the box playing the ball across goal for Sach to touch home via the aid of a defender to complete his hat-trick.

Budd made another good save from Kouassi before on 68 minutes, Sach got his 4th with a well taken goal. Budd failed to hold Stewart’s shot and Sach pounced quickly lobbing the ball over the keeper from inside the penalty area.

Romford were relieved slightly when Canvey endured a brief lull in their goal scoring but finished in style with two goals in the final 5 minutes.

After Hall had seen a header go wide on 86 minutes, Sach took down Mckenzie Davidson’s left wing cross with a great first touch, turned and fired home a fierce shot into the roof of the net for his 5th goal of the afternoon.

A minute later it was unlucky 13 for Romford. Stewart driving down the right crossed to Sorondo who fired home into the bottom corner.

It could easily have been 14 in stoppage time when Hubble’s effort was saved well by Budd and Mike Finneran headed the resulting corner wide.

The final whistle blew to seal a thoroughly awful afternoon for Romford and a record-breaking win for Canvey that takes them just 2 points off of Aveley with 3 games left and a superior goal difference.

Photo: KJA Sports Images