Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island crashed out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle after a 4-1 defeat against Bracknell Town at the Moviestarr Stadium.

The Southern Premier South side were good value for their win, dominating the game for long periods against a Canvey side missing a number of key players through injury and suspension.

The Gulls did start brightly, with Evans Kouassi forcing Michael Eacott into a good save after 5 minutes as the winger cut in from the right.

Bracknell gradually settled and shifted the game to their pace. Jordan Esprit tested Bobby Mason with a couple of efforts from outside the penalty area, but was unable to trouble the Canvey number one as he comfortably held them.

The pressure was allowed to pile up however and Bracknell took the lead on 17 minutes. A low cross found Mickel Platt in the penalty area and he drilled a shot past Mason and into the corner of the net.

The lead was doubled on 30 minutes when Magnus Abisogun latched on to a loose pass in midfield and sprinted towards goal. After holding off two defenders he rifled a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area high past Mason.

Canvey nearly pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time. Kouassi once again cut in from the right and forced the visiting keeper to save. The loose ball fell to Danny Parish, but Jack Dean threw himself in front of the ball to keep his side in command going into half time.

In the second half and Canvey pushed for a way back into the game, but it was Bracknell who continued to create the better opportunities.

The Gulls brought on Martin Tuohy for Luca Albon at half time, who signed on a dual registration from Romford during the week to make his debut for a third time in a Gulls’ shirt.

Bracknell kept probing on the counter however. Esprit fired wide and Platt forced Mason into a good save down by his post from a 20 yard shot.

Their commanding performance would be sealed on 75 minutes, with substitute Joe Grant flicking the ball home from a left wing cross with virtually his first touch of the ball.

Worse was to follow for Gulls minutes later when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul on Esprit as he broke into the penalty area. The striker, who had an impressive game, picked himself up and fired past Mason to make it 4-0.

Canvey were able to reduce the arrears in the final five minutes, with Conor Hubble firing a penalty into the bottom corner of the net after a foul by Eacott on Joe Paxman.

Canvey though, were second best in this contest and saw their national cup hopes ended for another year. They now go back to league action, with a trip to high flying Potters Bar Town on Tuesday night.