Match Report by David Powell

Player Of The Match - Matt Yates

Canvey Island earned an important three points on the road on Saturday, winning 2-1 at Bognor Regis Town in the Isthmian League Premier.

In a hard fought affair that saw chances for both sides, the Gulls went ahead midway through the 2nd half via a Chris Harris header, only to be pegged back after an unconventional equaliser, before substitute Finlay Dorrell grabbed the winning goal in the dying embers of the match.

The hosts came out of the traps with purpose, looking to win their 3rd sucessive league game at home, and created the games first chance after 3 minutes, when Dan Gifford wriggled past the Canvey defence, only to be met by a good save from Bobby Mason.

Canvey survived the early pressure and settled into the game, with some good wing play opening up gaps in the hosts backline.
On 13 minutes, Tom Stephen curled an audacious effort over the crossbar after finding space on the edge of the box. 10 minutes later and it was Chris Harris' chance to go close, with good build up play releasing the striker into the box, only to fire his effort into the side netting.

Bradley Sach, making his first start of his 2nd tenure for the Gulls, was unlucky not to pick up where he left off, seeing a deflected strike thump off the post on 29 minutes.

The hosts kept creating chances of their own, needing Mason to remain alert to scoop up anything hit at goal, meaning there was still all to play for as the 2nd half began. Whilst the hosts continued to create chances, it was Canvey who made a better start though, and they warrented their lead as they went ahead on 50 minutes.

More good work out wide saw an inch perfect cross from Matt Yates played in to Chris Harris, who rose highest to fire a header past Ryan Hall in the Bognor goal, grabbing his 2nd goal in a week.

He almost grabbed his 3rd shortly after, only for Hall to win this battle as he got a strong hand to the effort, after the striker again found space in the 6 yard box.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser, seeing more of the ball as they tried to battle their way past the Canvey defence. They created chances, including a few strikes that needed Mason to push the ball away, though they'd have not predicted how they'd get their equaliser, and neither would many of the 589 in attendance.

Spencer Spurway found the space out wide to whip in a cross from out wide. However, his cross got caught on the wind, meaning it drifted over Mason to settle into the far corner of net, with little the keeper could do to stop it.

The Gulls immediately had a chance to regain the lead from the restart, as Jaxon Brown broke at goal and saw his effort saved well by Hall, with the rebound being scuffed wide of the mark.

Brad Wellmen used his bench to full effect, gradually introducing all 5 substitutes as the game ebbed on. They would have to survive a sustained period of pressure from the hosts though, who had a succession of chances to go ahead, including a strike from substitute Tommy Block that just cleared Mason's crossbar.

It was the last of those Canvey changes that would make the biggest impact on the game though, creating and scoring the winner in the 86th minute.
After good work from Ollie Parsons robbed a Bognor attacker of possession, he passed the ball forward to Jamie Salmon, who showed good vision to loft a ball forward into the path of Finlay Dorrell. Showing good strength to hold off his marker, he riffled a low shot that crept under Hall to put Canvey back in front, much to the delight of the travelling Yellow Army.

The Gulls held out through the 6 minutes of injury time to take the points back to Essex and make it 7 points from a possible 9 gained in their last 3 league games.
They now have a week to prepare for their next league game, with Folkestone Invicta the visitors to the Moviestarr Stadium.