Macth Report by David Powell

Man Of The Match - Elliott Ronto

Canvey Island suffered their first away defeat in 5 matches on Saturday, as they went down 3-2 at league leaders Dover Athletic.

In front of a large crowd of over 900, the Gulls put in a spirited performance against the league's strongest promotion contender, more than matching their opponents and going ahead twice, only for their work be undone after two good second half strikes from the hosts.

Brad Wellmen made just one change to his starting XI after last week's win at home to Whitehawk, with Chris Harris coming in to partner Bradley Sach up front. Finlay Dorrell returned to the bench after an injury spell, and there was a place for the returning Jaden Crowhurst, who rejoined the club in the week from Walton & Hersham.

Backed by a noisy Yellow Army, Canvey started the game well, asking questions of the oppositions defence. Bradley Sach and Chris Harris linked up well as they look to feed balls into Jaxon Brown and Matt Yates out wide.

Their pressure merited them an early lead after 10th minutes. A corner from Matt Yates was delivered to the edge of the area, where Elliott Ronto was waiting to unleash a fierce strike at goal. It cannoned into the crossbar, with the ball being adjudged to have crossed the line by the Gulls players. While the referee couldn't see it from his angle, the linesman had, and after consultation on the bylines, the goal was given.

The hosts began to settle into the game as they sought to equalise, but found themselves held up by the Canvey defence, limiting them to pot shots that drifted well wide of Bobby Mason's goal.

Canvey looked to hit their opponents on the break whenever the opportunity arose. The pace of Brown was proving to be an issue for the Dover defence, and the winner made himself a good opportunity midway through the half after being played forward to by Sach, only to hit his strike wide of goal.

Dover had scored plenty of goals already this season though, and they found a way to equalise just before half time. A neat one two between Ruben Soares-Junior and George Nikaj saw the former played into the box, with room to angle a low strike past Mason to level the contest.

Into the second half and the game became end to end in nature, with an entertaining battle seeing chances for both sides. The in form Nikaj created the first on 49 minutes, but saw his effort once again flash wide of goal.

Canvey would stake their claim in the game once more on 57 minutes as they regained the lead. Emmanuel Adebiyi was brought around 20 yards from goal and Ronto assumed responsibility for the free kick. He hit a low drive to the bottom corner, deceiving Mitch Walker in the home goal and sneaking under the keeper to put the Gulls 2-1 up.

The momentum seemed to be with Canvey, and Sach was next to try his luck at goal, unleashing a powerful strike at goal that needed to be turned over by Walker.

The hosts began to apply the pressure however, and found their equaliser after 71 minutes. A ball from wide was played neatly into the path of Alfie Matthews, with the midfielder hitting a sweet strike into the top corner to level the game again.

Canvey nearly regained their lead soon after. More pressure on the Dover penalty area presented a greta chance for Harris, but his looping header bounced back off the crossbar, with Sach unable to turn the rebound home as the hosts scrambled the ball clear.

The hosts flipped the script of the game in 73rd minute however as they took the lead. Neat build up play saw Nikaj gifted space on the edge of the box, and the striker hit a shot that crashed off the bar and just over the line, much akin go Ronto's earlier goal. The referee saw this one clearly though, and the goal was given.

Canvey didn't let their heads drop however, and the game carried on in an entertaining manner until the end.
Adebiyi found space to test Walker with a long range strike on 82 minutes, but the keeper did well to hold the ball after seeing it wizz over a crowded penalty area. The hosts also coaxed a great reaction save from Mason a few minutes later to dent Soares-Junior his second from close range, the Gulls keeper getting a strong hand on his flicked effort.

Despite their efforts however, full time came and left the Gulls leaving Kent empty handed - though they were admirably clapped off by the travelling Canvey fans for their efforts.

They'll get the chance to go again on the road this Tuesday, as they travel to Aveley to face Hashtag United.