Match Report by Jonathan Andrews

Canvey Island suffered penalty heartache in the Isthmian Premier Playoff Semi-Final, as they were defeated at the last by Aveley at the Moviestarr Stadium.

Following a cagey 90 minutes, not even extra time could separate the two newly promoted sides as the contest was eventually decided from penalty spot - visiting keeper Jonathan North the thorn in the Gulls side as he saved spot kicks from Bradley Sach and Joe Paxman, with Oli Coker netting the winning penalty to take the Millers through at Canvey's expense.

It was a game of few chances in the game proceeding however, with both sides defending resolutely as they cancelled the other out.

It was Canvey though, who could have taken an early lead with possibly the games best chance in the 2nd minute. A lightning start saw them earn a corner. Conor Hubble's delivery caused a scramble in the box that Bradley Sach looked to poke home, but his effort was agonisingly cleared off the line.

Despite the shaky start, the visitors settled into the game, with Gibbs and Witherspoon frustrating the Canvey front line.
The Gulls continued to press however, and it was Conor Hubble with the games next chance on 20 minutes, a fierce strike on target launched goalbound but headed clear to keep the score level.

Going into half time however and the contest remained tense, with chances at a premium for both sides.

It would take until the 57th minute for another chance to fall and it once again went the Gulls way. Sach once again found space in the box as he beat his marker but fired his shot over the bar.

Aveley looked to turn the game for the first time as they broke on to hoofed balls from the defence. They found the flanks well guarded by Tinubu and Mvemba however, with any balls swept in dealt with by Girdlestone and Johnson respectively.

The game continued to be bogged down in midfield however, with any attempts to break forward constantly hooked away by the visitors rearguard. So it was, the game would go to extra time.

Brad Wellmen rung the changes, with Paxman and Ashman introduced in the additional time. Neither could make the desired impact however, with a game that looked destined for penalties from the start reaching it's final conclusion.

Hubble got the Gulls off to a good start, but a nightmare was to follow for both Sach and Paxman however as they saw their efforts saved by Jonathan North.
Aveley were picking up fulls marks with their kicks and, even after Evans Kouassi kept the Gulls in the competition, it fell to Bobby Mason to stop Oli Coker winning the shootout. Despite his best effort however, Coker fired home to take the visitors to the final and end Canvey's season in the cruellest of ways.

Despite the shootout disappointment however, the Gulls can be proud of an incredible first season back in the Isthmian League Premier, cheered on again by another strong crowd of over 900.

They boys can now take a well deserved summer break before a new chapter begins again in August.