Match report by David Powell

Canvey Island finished off their home league campaign with a 3-1 win over Grays Athletic at Park Lane.

The win wasn’t enough to stop Aveley from winning the Isthmian North title but puts them in pole position for claiming 2nd place and home advantage in the play offs.

In front of a season highest crowd of 514, Canvey were good value for their win over their local rivals.

After an early scare when Ben Sampayo nearly turned a cross past his own keeper Bobby Mason, Canvey took the lead after 7 minutes.

Supporters’ Player of the Year Evans Kouassi drove down the left and crossed to the far post to Matt Price who fired home.

It was 2-0 after 26 minutes. Kouassi showed great agility and technique to take the ball down from a right wing cross. His first shot was blocked but sheer determination saw him get to the loose ball and fire past Danny Sambridge.

Things got worse on 38 minutes for Grays when they were reduced to 10 men. From Conor Hubble’s left wing corner, Odei Martin Sorondo’s header was destined for the net until Freddy Moncur handled the ball on the goal-line.

Moncur was shown a red card and Price stepped up to fire the penalty home emphatically.

Kouassi nearly scored a 4th just before half time, nicking the ball off a defender and breaking clear but then firing high over the crossbar.

The second half was a more even affair with Grays coming back into the game although Kouassi still terrorised their defence.

On 50 minutes, a jinking run from the left saw his shot blocked and Price fired the loose ball wide.

Mason then saved a dipping long range effort from former Gulls’ striker David Knight before Kouassi twice forced Sambridge into saves in the space of 3 minutes.

Callum Watts should have scored on 67 minutes but fired at Mason when well placed.

Moments later a short corner saw the ball played to Hubble and his left wing cross was flicked wide by Miles Mitchell Nelson.

Grays did manage to pull one back on 71 minutes. Knight’s free kick into the penalty area was headed towards goal forcing Mason into a fine reaction save. Anointed Chukwu reacted quickest to fire home the rebound.

Don Tantale may have pulled another one back but from a tight angle fired across the face of goal on 81 minutes.

Aveley’s 4-0 win over Tilbury confirmed the Isthmian North title and subsequent promotion and Gulls know a point against Hashtag United on Saturday will be enough to secure them 2nd place in the league.

Photo: KJA Sports Images