Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island progressed to the Quarter Finals of the BBC Essex Senior Cup with a 2-1 victory over league neighbours Bowers & Pitsea at the Len Salmon Stadium.

On a wet and windy night, the Gulls produced a dogged display in a girtty game hampered by the weather, to see off their local rivals.

Brad Wellmen made a number of changes from the side that drew with Cray Wanderers at the weekend, Luca Albon, Odei Martin Sorondo, Mason Hall and Ashley Nzala all getting a starting place. There was also a first appearance for goalkeeper Sam Jackson, who made his full debut for the club between the sticks.

It only took them 7 minutes to find the opener. Luca Albon broke on the counter and charged through the Bowers defence. He found Ashley Nzala in support and unselfishly squared it to the striker, who took a touch before firing the ball underneath Melvin Minter for his first goal in Canvey colours.

The lead didn't last long however, as Bowers hit back and equalised on 17 minutes, a low shot from D’Jean Spencer on the edge of the area beating Jackson in the Canvey goal.

In the second half, the swirling wind still caused problems for both sides, but didn't blunt the Gulls play as they started to edge the game.

Bradley Sach forced Minter into a good save as he struck a low effort from close range early in the half. From the resulting corner, Jamie Salmon steered a header just wide of the upright.

On 62 minutes, it was the hosts turn to threaten a lead, as Jackson did well to save a low shot from Rio Campbell.

Canvey were ramping up the pressure on their hosts however and their resolve finally gave way as they found a way through on 71 minutes.
A corner from the right was flicked back into the box by Elliott Ronto, straight into the path of Mason Hall, who sent a powerful header beyond Minter to restore the lead.

Nzala looked sharp for much of the evening and nearly increased the lead just 3 minutes later, breaking from the left and firing agonisingly into the side netting.

Bowers tried to push forward in search of an equaliser, sending a number of searching balls into the area that were dealt with by the defence. It was Canvey though, who ended the stronger side, nearly scoring another in stoppage time as they peppered the home goal.
In the end though, the score remained as it was, the refferee blowing up to the delight of a solid, if slightly dampened, away following for the Gulls.

Canvey now take their place in the Quarter Finals, with the possibility of a draw against the likes of Chelmsford City, Southend United or Colchester United a real prospect.

They face a tough test in the league on Saturday first however, as they travel to leaders Hornchurch.