Canvey Island enter the Isuzu FA Trophy at the 3rd Qualifying Round on Saturday afternoon, where they make the trip to familiar opponents in Isthmian League North side Maldon & Tiptree.

Our Opponents
The Jammers are a familiar opponent to the Gulls, with the two sides having met many times before in the Isthmian North. They are a staple side in the division, often found competing around the playoffs place and challenging for promotion.

The last few seasons haven't yielded the success on the pitch Jammers fans have been accustomed to however, with the club finishing 11th in the table last season and 15th the season prior. The start of this season hasn't become brightly either in the league, with the club sitting 19th at this early stage, coming into this game on the back of a 3-0 loss away at Concord Rangers.

Whilst they failed to get going in the FA Cup, losing at the first hurdle to Essex Senior League side Stanway Rovers, in the Trophy they have fared better, first defeating local rivals Heybridge Swifts away from home before knocking out Northern Premier League Midlands League leaders Corby Town on penalties, after the game at Park Drive finished a desmond after 90 minutes.

Manager Dave Huzzey still has the makings of a squad that can cause any side a headache on their day, with Isthmian North experience blended with exciting young talent. Among their ranks, they count 3 former Gulls in Louie Arrowsmith, Rob Girdlestone and Matt Price. The later two were instrumental in the Gulls recent success, with Girdlestone captaining the side and making over 100 appearances for the club, whilst Price's 32 goals in the 21-22 season, and his game winning penalty in the playoff final, helped propell the Gulls back into the Isthmian Premier.

The two clubs met a total of 12 times in competitive and friendly football since Maldon Town and Tiptree United's merge, with the last competitive action coming back in the 21/22 season, where the Jammers got the better of the Gulls both home and away.

The Gulls
Canvey meanwhile, will be hoping the start of another cup run can make up for disappointment in another, with their last result being a 1-0 defeat away at Southern League Central Division 1 side Biggleswade in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round.

Despite having the lions share of the game, and the hosts being reduced to 9 men, they couldn't find at least the equaliser needed to take the game to a replay, meaning a solitary goal for the hosts was enough to take them through, and set up a home tie with National League side York City in the next round.

The Gulls haven't had the run they'd desired in the Trophy since regaining their Step 3 status, losing in both their first games in the last two seasons. In their promotion season however, they made the 2nd Round, where a close game with National League South side Tonbridge Angels at Park Lane ended in a defeat.

The Gulls are also one of just 3 Isthmian League sides to lift the Trophy, defeating Forest Green Rovers in the 2001 final at Villa Park. They made the final again the following year, only to fall at the last hurdle against Hednesford Town.

***
Yellow Army, we thank all of your who made the trip up to Bedfordshire on Sunday. Whilst it was a disappointing day on the pitch, your support for the team again cannot be called into question.

Brad, Sammy and squad will be looking to bounce back in another knockout game, and they'll appreciate your support, as always, as we look to start another cup run.

Come on you Gulls!

Kick Off - 3:00pm

Admission Prices
Adults - £10
Concessions - £5
U18s - £3

Address
Park Drive Stadium
Park Drive
Maldon, Essex
CM9 5JQ

Parking
Free Parking is at Park Drive, but is limited to first come, first serve. Additional parking can be found at the Maddison Heights complex next door.

Train
Train travel is not recommended for this fixture.

Bus
Blackwater Leisure Centre (75/95/288)