Match report by David Powell

Canvey Island’s title hopes were pretty much ended after a 1-1 drew against Great Wakering Rovers in the Isthmian League North at Burroughs Park.

Canvey failed to impose themselves on the game but will feel but for better finishing they should have claimed all three points.

They made a slow start to the game and for the first 25 minutes of the game, Wakering were the better team. Matters were not helped by having to make an early change with Mason Hall limping off and replaced by Mike Finneran.

On 12 minutes a left wing cross from Darnell Mavanga Kithambo fell to Charlie Morris who headed back across goal but George Cox sliced his shot wide from a good position.

Jaden Crowhurst’s left wing free kick nearly picked out a team mate before Bobby Mason did well to beat away a shot by Morris.

Gulls gradually settled with Evans Kouassi looking dangerous down the left. Elliott Ronto headed into the side netting from a Conor Hubble corner before good play by Kouassi saw Canvey claim the opening goal on 35 minutes.

His cross from the left was fizzed across the goalmouth and hit Wakering defender Connor Martin and flew past the keeper and into the net.

Kouassi had a shot fly wide after cutting in from the left on the stroke of half time.

In the second half, Canvey received another injury blow when Bradley Sach limped off meaning Harrison Chatting now had to fill in, in a striking role.

Gulls should have sealed the game when after a one-two, O Shane Stewart broke through but blazed over the crossbar with just the keeper to beat.

Kouassi then failed to poke the ball past Jack Riddell when through on 68 minutes before moments later Chatting had a shot blocked from a good position.

The misses proved to be costly as on 80 minutes, Wakering won a penalty against the run of play after Kithambo was fouled in the penalty area.

Former Gulls striker Jake Gordon stepped up and fired his penalty past Mason sending the keeper the wrong way.

Canvey put the Wakering goal under pressure in the final 10 minutes but found former Gulls’ captain Steve Sheehan in great form.

Hubble fired high and wide before Callum Fitzer had a shot deflected wide in injury time.

The draw leaves Canvey 4 points behind Aveley with 2 games left to play with The Millers knowing a win on Easter Monday against Tilbury will win them the league.