Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island progressed to the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday, as they beat Spartan South Midlands side Milton Keynes Irish 2-1 at the Steves Taxis Stadium.

Despite the two division gap between the sides, a tenacious opposition made the Gulls work hard for their win in an entertaining encounter. Two injury time goals saw Canvey through however, and helped to banish a few demons after they'd had the same inflicted on them last week in the league.

With Elliott Johnson and Chris Harris unavailable, Elliott Ronto partnered Ollie Parsons at the back, whilst Nick Dembele led the line with Finlay Dorrell and Emmanuel Adebiyi.

The Gulls knew they have a task on their hands to overcome a side that had won every game so far this season - and had knocked out two Step 4 sides to earn their place in this round.

Both sides came straight out the traps, with Canvey hitting the crossbar in the first few minutes, after a ball from Conor Hubble was lofted into the box and got caught in the wind.

It was the Irish though who'd find the luck they needed as they were awarded an early penalty. Despite Canvey protests, the refferee was unmoved, meaning Mason Spence stepped up and calmly slotted past Bobby Mason to open the scoring, much to the delight of the decent number who'd travelled from Buckinghamshire.

The Gulls were unwavered though, and stepped up their assault on their opponents goal.
Dorrell's header on 21 minutes forced keeper Tom Ladyman into a flying save to keep the score at one.

Down at the other end, and it was Mason's turn to be the hero between the sticks, as he produced a fantasic double save to first deny George Shrieves and then Callum Hirst in the space of a minute.

The back and forth affair continued, and Dorrell was causing all sorts of problems as he went close again on 26 minutes, seeing his effort crash off the post, before went close again just before half time as a deflected effort was smuggled behind.

Canvey's pressure would tell though, and in first half stoppage time, they drew level. A ball in from Ronto couldn't be cleared, with Ewan Sanchez stealing the ball back and teeing up Conor Hubble, who hit a superb strike from just inside the area to beat Ladyman and tie the game just before the whistle.

In the second half, and the excitement continued as both sides sought a winner to take them through.

The visitors had the first big chance on 60 minutes, as good work down the wing played in JJ Meadows, who saw his shot just flash across the goal, with nobody on hand to turn the ball home.

The Gulls controlled much of the half, but saw big chances at a premium against a stubborn opposing defence. Nick Dembele and Jamie Salmon flashed efforts wide of goal, but they couldn't find the target.

Likewise for the opposition, a few good breaks saw them bother the Canvey back line, but Parsons and Ronto did well to keep the danger away. The game became a crunch in the midfield, with some strong tackles swaying the possession pendulum, though no side could take advantage.

The visitors became more compact as they looked to settle for a replay to drag the Gulls for a long midweek trip to Milton Keynes. Canvey hit them with a succession of set plays, with Wellmen introducing Matthew Yates and Harvey Livings-Corbin from the bench, but it seemed like the game was heading for a stalemate.

Tobi Tinubu had other ideas however, and in the 91st minute, he produced a moment of brilliance to see the Gulls through.
With Yates having been introduced at right back, he was moved further upfield onto the right wing. After troubling the visitors defence for much of the last 20 minutes, he finally found the space he needed to break into the box after a half clearance, taking the ball past his marker and dancing inside to make the space to fire a low strike past Ladyman to win the game for the Gulls.

There was still time for a red card to be produced for Irish defender Rev Kalek after a bad challenge. The refferee blew shortly afterwards, seeing the Gulls through into the next round.

They now take their place in the hat for Monday's 2nd Qualifying Round draw before returning to league action at the Steves Taxis Stadium next Saturday, where they host Dulwich Hamlet.