Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island progressed to the 4th Round of the Essex Senior Cup after a 5-3 penalty shoot out victory over Hashtag United at the Len Salmon Stadium.

With the game finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes, the Gulls converted all their spot kicks, with the lower ranked hosts blazing one of theirs over Bobby Mason's crossbar.

On a cold, misty night in Pitsea, the Tags were the better side in the first half, with Bobby Mason making a number of good saves to keep Canvey level by the break.

On 13 minutes, he saved a powerful effort before quickly re-composing himself to keep out a header and then a long range effort.

Canvey began to settle into the game after the early pressure and began to threaten with attacks of their own. Mason Hall did have the ball in the net midway through the half after bundling the ball home from a corner, but was judged to have used his hand.

In the second half, Gulls began to show their higher league standing, moving the ball around well as they looked for an opener.

Anthony Page held a deflected shot from Bradley Sach before Canvey took the lead on 62 minutes.

A superb left wing cross from Sam Mvemba picked out Charlie Edwards at the far post and he headed home despite Page getting a hand to the ball.

It looked like Canvey had done enough to win but after a period of pressure, Harry Haysom headed home from a corner for the hosts with 7 minutes to go to level the score and take the game to penalties.

Luca Albon, Joe Paxman, Charlie Edwards and Danny Parish scored for Gulls. Hashtag scored their first 2 penalties before Pedro Carvalho blazed over the crossbar giving Jamie Salmon the opportunity to win the game for Canvey, which he did as he put his strike low past Page in the corner.

Canvey now take their place in the last 16 of the competition and await Thursday nights draw.