Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island booked their place in the Semi Final of the Essex Senior Cup on Tuesday evening after a penalty shootout win over Isthmian North side Brightlingsea Regent.

A hearty crowd of 172 braved the January cold at North Road for the Quarter Final, in a game where the gap in divisions seemed narrowed to a thread, as Canvey were put through their paces at times by a resilient hosts looking to reach their first ever Senior Cup Semi Final.

For the first half hour, the Gulls had to hold the line against a lively Rs side, who moved the ball around well and looked to break into space down the flanks, with Tobi Tinubu and Emmanuel Adebiyi having to often backpeddle quickly to keep up with a pair of pacy wingers.

They began to create chances, with Bobby Mason needing to be alert to push away a shot from the edge of the area on 6 minutes. The hosts then glanced a free header into his arms on 13 minutes, as it seemed they were the more likely to grab the games opening goal.

The Gulls would eventually settle and began moving the ball around well themselves on the slick surface, with Kane Gilbert and Finlay Dorrell prodding and probing down the flanks, as Bradley Sach forced his way through the centre.

He got the Gulls first chance on goal as he drilled a low shot into the arms of home keeper Sam Heard. Then, on 22 minutes, a good move saw the ball drop to Dorrell at the near post, and he poked a strike goalwards that needed a decent save from Heard to keep it put.

The game began to open up, as both teams ground each other down in the midfield. There was a heart in mouth moment for Canvey as Mason sliced a clearance into a Brightlingsea striker just outside the area, allowing him to drill a low strike that Mason then had to turn round his post.

The Gulls began to turn the screw though as half time approached, and their best period of play warrented the opening goal.
A corner in from the left by Conor Hubble was floated into the six yard box, with Heard unable to hold the ball, allowing Jamie Salmon the opportunity to poke it over the line and put the Gulls ahead before the break.

Into the second half, and the host's would come out with a renewed fervour as they sought to grab an equaliser, meaning the Canvey defence had to be at their best to keep them out.
It seemed like they could do just that, but with gaps appearing near the byline, the hosts found the goal they craved. A free kick whipped in from the right found the head of Adam Bailey-Dennis at the backpost. The ball looped across goal, with Mason unable to claim it as he tried to clutch the cross, allowing Louie Kudiabor a simple finish to level the match.

Canvey rung the changes, and used their full compliment of substitutes to try and turn the game back in their favour. This included a debut for attacking midfielder Harry Hope - signed in the summer but having had to recover from a long term injury sustained in preseason.

The Gulls pushed forward in an attempt to win the game. Matt Yates and Chris Harris began to find space on the Canvey right, with Tom Stephen doing likewise on the left, requiring a few balls needing to be quickly shepherded away by the home defence. They too, remained a threat on the break, with their pace needing Canvey to be alert at all times.

The two best chances to win the game outright fell to the Gulls in injury time. First, Hubble could only drag his shot over the bar after picking up a recycled corner on the edge of the area. Then, as the full time whistle approached, Harris put his laces through the ball after another ricochet in the box, only to see his shot creep just wide of the post.

It would be penalties then to decide the game in front of a packed home end. The hosts opted to go first, but their opening penalty was well saved by Bobby Mason. Conor Hubble put away the Gulls first, with that psychological edge perhaps rattling the hosts, as they put their second penalty well over the bar.
Sach and Hope both netted well between a Brightlingsea conversion by George Iorpenda to give them a 3-1 lead. It left the hosts needing to score, but they dragged their final penalty wide of the post, meaning it was Canvey who set up a date with National League South side Chelmsford City in the Semi Final next month.

The winners of that game will take on Hornchurch in the final after the Urchins win at Heybridge Swifts on the same evening. For now though, Canvey's immediate focus turns back to the search for league points, and a tricky trip to Folkestone Invicta this Saturday.