Potters Bar Town 1-2 Canvey Island

Match Report by Jonathan Andrews

Canvey Island notched their second win in just three days on Thursday evening, as they defeated Potters Bar Town 2-1 at the Lantern Stadium.

On a grey night in Hertfordshire, the Gulls were made to work for chances against a composed opponent, and were made to play the majority of the 2nd half with just 10 men after Sam Higgins was sent off - only to grab a 96th minute winner to give them their first back to back victories since January.

A subdued first half saw Canvey start with the lions share of possession, but were unable to test Finn Rushton in the hosts goal.

Their shortcomings in attack allowed their opponents to settle, and towards the end of the half, it was the hosts creating the chances.
Kasim Aidoo put wide of Sam Jackson's goal on 23 minutes, before the Canvey keeper was forced into two good saves to deny Temi Babalola towards the end of the half, keeping the Gulls in the contest as they headed into the break.

Into the second half, and it was Canvey who began to make chances.
Higgins was looking to add to his goal against Hornchurch on Tuesday evening, and was unlucky on 56 minutes as he got a header after receiving a cross from Elliott Ronto, but saw his effort go wide of the target.

He wouldn't be denied his 400th career goal however, and on 64 minutes, he earned just that as he was first to react to a well weighted ball into the box from Jamie Salmon, holding off his marker to volley the ball past an onrushing Rushton to make it 1-0 to the Gulls.

His dream evening became a nightmare just a few minutes later however, as the striker was given a straight red card after a late lunge, leaving the Gulls down to 10 men.

It allowed the Scholars a route back into the match, and they grabbed an equaliser on 72 minutes, as Temi Babalola got on the end of a ball lifted over the defence, allowing him fire past Jackson.

Brad Wellmen made a triple change, with Elliott Johnson, Evans Kouassi and Reon Smith-Kouassi all introduced. The change looked to have worked as despite their numerical advantage, the hosts were now backpeddling as Canvey came forward.

They had a brilliant chance to win the game on 80 minutes, as Conor Hubble delivered another cross into the area, where it found Elliott Ronto waiting, but the midfielder was unable to keep his header on target as it glanced just wide.

Their patience would pay off however, and in the 96th minute they claimed all three points. Good work on the flanks saw a low ball driven across the face of goal. Waiting to pounce was Tobi Tinubu, who beat his marker for pace to bundle the ball in at the back post and give Canvey the win.

The result moves the Gulls up to 15th in the table, and they could potentially climb as high as 13th on Saturday. They'll have to be ready for the quick turnaround though, as a tough game awaits them away at basement battling Cheshunt.