Match Report by David Powell
Photo Credit - Vicki Scott

Man Of The Match - Darren Foxley

Canvey Island recorded back to back league victories for the first time since late November on Tuesday evening, as they defeated Bowers & Pitsea 2-0 at the Steves Taxis Stadium.

In front of a decent midweek crowd of 318, two quickfire first half goals were enough for the Gulls to take an important win against a fellow side at the wrong end of the table, putting a 6 point gap between themselves and the drop zone, as well as completing a derby double over their local rivals this season.

Brad Wellmen named an unchanged side from the team that beat Chatham Town at the weekend, with just 3 outfield subs at his disposal. On the opposite team, there was a return for former Gulls player Luca Albon after his departure last season. Former loanee Reon Smith-Kouassi also featured on the bench.

It was the visitors who came out of the traps quickest, looking to grab an early goal in their fight to beat the drop. The pace of TQ Addy and Rohdell Gordon needed to be kept in check by the Canvey defence, and an early corner saw them force the first meaningful chance on goal after 6 minutes, with a corner whipped into the area unable to be turned home by Alex Teniola after a scramble in the 6 yard box.

The Gulls settled into the game though and began to flip the rhythm in their favour with some positive attacking football. The pace of Darren Foxley and Tobi Tinubu was opening holes in the visitors backline at they looked to create chances. It was the former who'd be instrumental in Canvey's opener on 21 minutes.

Good work to win the ball back by Conor Hubble and Chris Harris saw then work the ball into space for Foxley down the left flank. He broke into the area and towards the byline, beating his marker and lifting a well weighted pass into Harris, who finished well in the six yard box past David Hughes to open the scoring.

Canvey were in control and doubled their lead just a few minutes later.
Another well worked free kick from Hubble found Elliott Ronto creeping into space at the near post, though his effort was turned behind by Hughes.

From the resulting corner, Hubble's delivery found Jimmy Wallace, with the defender powering his header home to double Canvey's advantage and gran his first goal for the club.

The Gulls were starring to enjoy themselves, with the visitors unable to contain the threat posed by the Canvey defence, particularly when Yannis Ambroisine was forced off with an injury. Bradley Sach saw another good chance go begging as the Gulls finished the half strong with a comfortable lead.

The second half saw the visitors go more direct with a few half time changes, as they sought a way back into the game.

Smith-Kouassi provided a more pacy outlet for the visitors on the wings and helped carry then forward on the counter.
Time and time again though, they were met by a resilient Canvey defence, determined to keep another clean sheet, and they blocked much of what came their way, with Bowers indecisive in the attack and rarely troubling Bobby Mason in goal.

Canvey looked to grab a third themselves, and kept coming forward with purpose down the wings. They saw a penalty claim waved away by the referee midway through the second half as Saxh appeared to have been dragged down in the area, but kept threatening as chances fell to Harris and Hubble.

It was another strong showing from the Gulls, and the full time whistle saw them record their 2nd victory in a week at home without conceding to put a buffer between themselves and the drop zone - particularly with results going their way.

They face a tougher test on the road in their next two games however, with a visit to in-form Carshalton Athletic next up on Saturday.