Canvey Island FC - The Official Website

The hosts scored twice in the final two minutes of the first half, and although Alex Rhodes came off of the bench to pull a goal back in the second half, it was only a great performance by goalkeeper James Russell that kept the scoreline respectable.

Canvey could point to the performance of the referee and his assistants who failed to award two clear cut penalties, but in reality The Rocks deserved the victory with a good attacking display.

Following the 4-1 win against AFC Hornchurch on Saturday, Jason Hallett was dropped to the bench with Jay Curran partnering Bradley Woods-Garness up front. Ashley Dumas dropped back to left back, with Danny Spendlove coming in on the left wing.

Canvey started brightly, and Richard Wray did well to turn Kevin Dobinson's free kick around the post on 3 minutes following a foul on Bradley Woods-Garness.

A minute later East Thurrock had their first attempt on goal when Sam Higgins got to the ball before James Russell, but his shot failed to hit the target.

The end to end start to the match continued in the 5th minute when Bradley-Woods Garness had a shot from outside of the area was deflected wide for a corner. Leon Gordon delivered the ball to the back post onto the head of Kevin Dobinson, but his effort across goal was cleared off of the line.

Winger Kris Newby, who had agreed to sign for Canvey during pre-season before opting to join Blue Square South side Thurrock, had a chance on 6 minutes when Steve Sheehan gave away possession against his old club, but his effort went wide of the goal.

The 9th minute saw the first of several penalty appeals for Canvey which the referee Mr West was uninterested in. Whilst some of the appeals throughout the game were ambitious, he should certainly have pointed to the spot when Danny Spendlove was clearly fouled in the area having latched onto Andrew West's throw.

James Russell was called into action once again on 14 minutes when he pushed Sam Higgins' powerful effort out towards the cornerflag. The ball was delivered back in towards Canvey-born Sam Collins, but his overhead kick went over the crossbar.

Both goalkeepers were having a good game, and Richard Wray pulled off an important double save on 21 minutes. Firstly, Kevin Dobinson's low drive from outside the area was kept out, but Wray was unable to keep possession. The ball fell to the on-rushing Leon Gordon, but Wray did well to pick himself up and turn Gordon's shot behind.

From the resulting corner, Jay Curran rose well to head towards goal, but Wray was equal to this effort also and was able to tip the ball over the crossbar.

After a fairly good opening half hour for Canvey, the hosts started to take control of the game. First, Petri Elbi flashed a shot across goal that narrowly missed creeping in at the far post, and 3 minutes later Sam Higgins fired wide after forcing his way into the area.

Canvey had another penalty shout turned down on 40 minutes when Leon Gordon went down under former-Gull Greg Cohen's challenge, but in fairness the ex-Canvey winger probably played the ball before the man and the appeal was rightly turned down.

Having not had any luck with penalty decisions themselves, Canvey then conceded a penalty themselves when Ashley Dumas brought down Kris Newby. Newby picked himself up and smashed the ball past James Russell, who nearly got a hand to the ball diving to his right.

If going 1-0 down just before half time was disappointing, conceding a second before the break was extremely frustrating. A corner found the head of Sam Higgins at the back post who steered the ball expertly into the net to double his side's advantage.

John Batch replaced the ineffective Leon Gordon with Alex Rhodes at half time, moving Danny Spendlove onto the right wing with Rhodes replacing him on the left.

Despite the attacking change, it was East Thurrock who started the half the better side. First Petri Elbi fired high and wide when well placed on 50 minutes, and then forced James Russell into a good save 3 minutes later.

Canvey nearly found their way back into the match a minute later however when Jay Curran hit the crossbar. Alex Rhodes' corner found the head of John Easterford who directed the ball back across goal. Curran connected on the volley, but his effort struck the bar and was cleared to safety.

The second clear cut penalty which Canvey were denied came on 56 minutes when centre back Simon Peddie handled a Bradley Woods-Garness effort. The referee may well have been unsighted due to his angle when the incident occured, but his assistant should certainly have seen the incident and assisted the man in the middle.

The Gulls finally scored on the hour mark through substitute Alex Rhodes. His free kick took a deflection on its way to goal and left Richard Wray with no chance.

With this goal John Batch replaced Danny Spendlove with striker Jason Hallett, moving Jay Curran out wide onto the right wing.

However, this change failed to spark Canvey into life, and the next 20 minutes saw East Thurrock squander several good chances. When The Rocks were able to hit the target they were foiled by an inspired James Russell, with a particularly impressive double save in the 86th minute summing up the excellent game he was having.

4 minutes of added time were indicated at the end of the 90, and in the 2nd of these it looked as though Canvey had rescued an unlikely point. Kevin Dobinson's corner found the head of John Easterford at the back post, who nodded the ball low across goal. Any touch from a Canvey player would have resulted in a goal, but nobody was able to apply the finish and the ball missed the far post by inches.

The full time whistle sounded a couple of minutes later to signify a result that has reflected Canvey's inconsistency this season.