I suggested, in the first leg of this match played last Saturday, that perhaps Canvey have turned the corner and are ready to set about a gradual climb back to the old Canvey FC that the fans know and love. You remember them? They used to win matches with score lines like 4-0, 5-1 or even 6-2 and keep the fans jumping with joy? There is no doubt that Canvey have lost their form over the past weeks and both results and performances have been disappointing, to say the least.

Fate seems to have conspire against Canvey. Injuries to Brian Horne and Simon Liddle, plus illness for Andy Jones have certainly taken their toll. What was desperately needed tonight was a blinder of a game with the Gulls winning with a fistful of goals. And what did we get? A blinder of a game and a fistful of goals; five to be exact. Great stuff.

Poor Evesham. They had a five hour journey through the worst of the day’s traffic, three of four of their players couldn’t get time off work and their goalkeeper kept hoping that someone would wake him up and tell him that his nightmare of a game was really only a dream. At the back they couldn’t do a thing right and at the front they were given no room at all.

From the very start Canvey were looking for goals and, for once, everyone was willing to take a shot. Danny Hazle had a go, Steve Parmenter (sorry, I got the wrong name at Evesham and credited his goal to Steve Carpenter) looked for a slice of the action and Paul Williams also left a calling card with the keeper before the game was 15 minutes old. A goal was bound to come and when it did, it was the result of great play by Blakey, who sent a long ball through to Tilly, who in turn played it on to Willow. He controlled the ball well out on the right, cut inside and beat two men before putting the ball easily past the advancing Evesham keeper. Just what the fans wanted.

One significant factor in Canvey’s new look goal-hungry style was the long, powerful kicking of Brian Horne in Canvey’s goal. Not only did he send goal-kicks deep into the opposition half, but he came up to take free kicks from within his own half and the depth and pace of them caused considerable problems for Evesham.

Goal number two wasn’t too long in coming. This time it was a Tilly free kick that set things up for Gary Britnell. It came long, high and deep into the Evesham penalty area. The keeper was uncertain what to do; stay on his line or come out to make a clearance. In the end he made the classic mistake of compromise, i.e. he came halfway and got caught in no-mans-land. Britts, however, knew exactly where he wanted to be. He was on the end of the ball, outjumping the entire defence to head the ball past everyone and into the back of the net. A great reward for Britts, the ol’ stalwart who gives everything he has, every time he plays.

The fans were loving it. They were especially loving the way the entire front line all wanted a piece of the action. The players were all calling encouragement, calling for each other and calling for the ball. This was the Canvey of old; keen, enthusiastic and hungry. How long would they have to wait for number three? Not long, as it happens. Just before half time another Tilly free kick came high into the penalty area but this time it was Parmenter’s head underneath it and the Evesham keeper was again guilty of indecision. Canvey fans were asking themselves, "When was the last time Canvey went in at half time, three nil up?" (Answers on a postcard please)

The second half saw Brazier on for Danny O’Shea, who had taken a nasty knock earlier in the game. The referee didn’t seem to think that tackles from behind were worth much of a mention and numerous fouls went unchecked throughout the game. Neither did Mr Gosling think it worth a mention that Attwood, in the Evesham goal, came out at the start of the game wearing a yellow top and blue shorts – same colours as Canvey. Several fans pointed this out to him, but he didn’t think it too important. Not until the second half, that is, when the keeper reappeared in a green top.

A change of top didn’t bring a change of luck for Attwood. His handling was always suspect and, with such an ill disciplined defence in front of him, he was not enjoying his evening at all. Willow, on the other hand, was having a very enjoyable evening, finding all sorts of open space to play in. On 65 minutes he found a great bit of space some 30 yards out and when he collected the ball from a long lob up the middle, he made the most of it, running on, rounding the defender before sliding it under the advancing keeper.

Just after this, Danny Hazle went off and Steve Flain came on, bringing a fresh pair of legs to maintain the pressure. Steve Tilson had one of his best games for a long time, playing in the middle of the park – much his best position – where he was able to stamp his authority on the game. Canvey build-ups were quality stuff with everyone playing his part, especially Jamie Reilley and Steve Parmenter. Between them they must have covered at least a million miles! Parmenter in particular was impressive. If he maintains this work-rate over the coming weeks he will certainly be up among the top scorers next May. I had no doubt but to make him my Canvey Man of the Match.

Just to complete Evesham’s night of horror, No. 2 (Lee Harper) put goal number five past his own keeper on 85 minutes to bring the final score to 5 – 0. Pin-Up Brazier came forward on an overlapping run down the right and put in a powerful low cross. It only needed a slight deflection and that’s what it got, straight off the defender’s leg and into the back of the net.

If Canvey can maintain this sort of form it will certainly lift the spirits of the fans who, in turn, will get behind the players. Once this upward spiral starts I am confident that Canvey can lift themselves out of their present doldrums. Safeguarding their league position in number one priority but, at the same time, a result at Cheltenham on 16^th January and a good run in the Trophy would certainly be nice.