Canvey Island FC - The Official Website

Gulls were second best for much of the game in front of a crowd of 506 and Blues were well worth their win that consolidates their position at the top of the division.

Canvey never really recovered from conceding a goal after just 4 minutes. Dave Collis’ free kick from deep on the right was played into the penalty area and Rob Swaine got up to send a towering header beyond James Russell and into the net.

Billericay dominated the early stages with Collis and Glen Poole controlling the midfield. Canvey failed to adapt to the swirling wind and too often were sloppy in possession and failed to test Dale Brightly in the Billericay goal.

Jay May missed a decent chance for Blues on 15 minutes when John Easterford’s loose header dropped to him but he blazed wide with the goal gaping.

This was a typical derby match with both sides creating few clear cut opportunities. Neither goalkeeper was severely tested during the first half but Billericay seemed to handle the weather conditions better and for the first 25 minutes controlled proceedings.

Canvey gradually came more into the game as the half wore on and James Comley was their most creative player, showing a good range of passing and initiating several promising attacks.

Despite the hard work of Jason Hallett and Danny Heale up front, they got very little change out of Billericay centre backs Chris Wild and Swaine who both were in imperious form.

Hallett volleyed an effort over on 24 minutes but the closest Canvey came to scoring was on 41 minutes.

Gulls won a free kick on the left hand edge of the penalty area and Comley swung in a superb effort that was met by the head of Steve Sheehan but the former East Thurrock defender saw his header from a few yards just clear the crossbar.

Another free kick from Comley just before half time caused some minor panic in the Ricay rearguard but they were able to clear the danger.

With Comley struggling with illness, Gulls were forced into a change at half time with former Billericay midfielder Matt Game taking his place. Comley’s creativity and tenacity was sorely missed in the second half and despite plenty of possession, Gulls had very few ideas on how to break down a resolute and efficient Billericay backline.

Too often they resorted to long aimless balls down the middle that Swaine and Wild easily lapped up and Alex Rhodes and Jay Curran down the wings were often peripheral figures as the game passed them by completely.

Hallett did well at the start of the half to drive down the right and play a low cross to the near post but this was dealt with well by the defence.

Ricay brought on Emeka Onwubiko for Courtney White to spice up their attack on 55 minutes and the move nearly reaped instant dividends when Onwubiko charged down a clearance from Russell and ran through. The striker though somehow guided his shot wide of the empty net.

Collis curled a 25 yard free kick just wide of the target on 63 minutes and Canvey manager Glen Alzapiedi decided to changes things with Bradley Woods Garness and Dean Mason replacing Hallett and Rhodes.

These substitutions injected some pace into Canvey’s attack but still they failed to test the Ricay defence.

The game was as good as over for Canvey on 71 minutes when Ashley Dumas conceded a penalty with a rash challenge on Sam Berry. Poole stepped up to fire his penalty high into the roof of the net.

Billericay saw the remaining twenty minutes or so out quite comfortably. Woods Garness fired wide with a free kick from the edge of the penalty area but Canvey offered very little response and as injury time approached many of the home fans had already headed for the exits as the game finished in a torrential downpour.

A disappointing result and performance for Gulls but they will be looking to bounce back immediately when they play Dagenham & Redbridge in the Essex Senior Cup semi final on Tuesday evening.