Canvey Island continue their quest for cup glory on Wednesday evening, as they host National League side Dagenham & Redbridge in the 4th Round of the BBC Essex Senior Cup.
Our Opponents
The Daggers are one of this competition's 'big three', playing their usual trade in the National League and having been a Football League side as recently as 2016. Formed in 1992 as a merger of Dagenham FC and Redbridge Forest, the club came under the ownership of the North Six Group earlier this year, who also own clubs in Italy, Switzerland and the USA, and will look to push the club back in the direction of promotion to the Football League. The club also has no shortage of honours to it's name, with title wins at Isthmian and National League level, an FA Trophy final appearance in 1997, and they are also twice champions of this competition (1998 / 2001).
In the league this year, they currently occupy a steady mid-table position of 14th at the time of writing, and have won their last two games at home in the league - beating Aldershot Town and promotion chasing Rochdale. Their biggest success though, has come in this season's Emirates FA Cup, where the club have reached the 3rd Round Proper for the first time since 2016 after knocking out League 2 side AFC Wimblesdon, with their reward being an away draw at Championship side Millwall. In this competition, they entered at the 3rd Round stage like ourselves, and earned a big scalp as they defeated the competitions only Football League side, Colchester United, after a penalty shootout.
Manager Ben Strevens has no shortage of talent in his side, depending on what side they choose to field. Football league loanees Dion Pereira and Junior Morias has been two of the standout players in the side this season thus far. Long serving goalkeeper Elliott Justham marshals between the sticks, though backup keeper Joshua Strizovic has plenty of Isthmian League experience from loan spells. Players like Christian N'Guessan, Josh Rees and Jake Hessenthaler also have plenty of experience in both professional and non league football.
The two sides have played in each other in friendlies in the last few seasons, but for their last competitive meeting, you have to go back to 2012, where the Gulls got the better of the Daggers on penalties in the Essex Senior Cup semi final - setting up a final with Colchester United, where they'd win the cup for the 4th time.
The Gulls
Canvey meanwhile, will look to build on a positive start to a busy festive fixture list, after they got another win on the road at Hendon last Saturday.
A solitary goal from Chris Harris was enough to see Canvey take the points back to Essex in a 1-0 win, taking them to within two points of the playoff places at the end of play.
They progressed to this round of the competition after a 3-0 win away at Essex Senior League side Buckhurst Hill in the 3rd Round. A brace from Bradley Sach and a goal from Chris Harris set up tonight's tie, with the winner of this tie having already been drawn away at Isthmian North side Brightlingsea Regent in the Quarter Finals.
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Yellow Army, thank you to all of those who made the journey to watch the boys last week.
With this being a busy time of year in the run up to Christmas, the squad appreciates everyone who comes out to cheer them on over the festive period, and they'll look to reward that loyalty this evening with a good performance against higher ranked oppostion.
They'll need your support as always though, to see them through to that coveted place in the last 8 of the competition.
Come on you Gulls!
Kick Off - 7:45pm
Admission Prices^
Adults - £12
Concessions - £8
U16s - £3*
*Accompanied by an Adult.
^Season Tickets are VALID for this fixture.
Merchandise
We'll have a range of club merchandise on sale in the clubhouse, including the new 24/25 kits!
Parking
Parking at the Steves Taxi's Stadium is free to all but limited to first come / first serve. Additional parking can be found on the adjacent side roads, but please be mindful of our neighbours if using this option. Parking on Park Lane itself is also strongly advised against.
In The Clubhouse
We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks stocked in the clubhouse.
Hot food and drink is also available in our outdoor kiosks. Please remember that these kiosks are currently cash only.
We also have live Quarter Final action from the Carabao Cup on our big screens, including:
7:30pm
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
8:00pm
Southampton vs Liverpool