Match Report
Ryman League Premier Division - 2011/2012
| Canvey Island 2 |
| A. Rhodes (60), D. Heale (79) |
| Cheshunt 0 |
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.jpg "Canvey Island 2 - 0 Cheshunt")
Gulls made hard work of their victory against their opponents who are currently struggling in the lower reaches of Ryman One North but always looked in control of the match and in the end, that extra bit of quality eventually told.
Canvey started sluggishly and despite their possession failed to break a resilient Cheshunt side down.
They were sometimes sloppy in possession and too guilty of playing the long ball game that was dealt with competently by the Ambers’ defence.
Jason Hallett had Canvey’s first chance on 15 minutes when he barged through the Cheshunt defence but Glen Williamson was out quickly to block his effort.
Jay Curran then got on the end of a pass into the penalty area but his touch took him too wide and he fired across goal with the defence clearing the danger.
Cheshunt had a couple of shots that James Russell saved well but a dull first half finished goalless with Canvey failing to really test Williamson.
They improved after half time and gradually got into their stride, opening up Cheshunt with some good passing football.
Alex Rhodes did well on 58 minutes to burst down the left and drive in a cross that just eluded Steve Sheehan and Curran in the six yard box.
A neat, incisive move gave Canvey the opening goal on 60 minutes. Curran’s intelligent back-heel on the edge of the penalty area was picked up by Rhodes who surged past a defender and fired across Williamson and into the far bottom corner of the net.
That goal seemed to settle Canvey down and they stroked the ball around confidently with the pace of Rhodes and Leon Gordon a threat on the wings.
A cheeky back-heel flick by Robbie King sent Rhodes scampering through but the linesman’s flag stopped his momentum as he was judged to be offside.
Danny Heale replaced Hallett on 75 minutes and the in form striker sealed the match for Canvey 4 minutes later.
Gordon whipped in an excellent cross from the right and Heale stole in ahead of the defender to glance his header past the keeper and into the far corner of the net.
Canvey saw out the remaining time quite comfortably with Jamie Mathews and academy youngster Mitch Gilbey getting a run out in the final few minutes.
King headed off target and even Steve Ward managed a rare foray into the penalty area from his unfamiliar position at right back to drive in a low shot that Williamson saved at his near post.
The final whistle blew moments later to seal a hard fought victory for the Gulls that sees them through to a quarter final tie away at high flying Lowestoft.
