THREE IMPORTANT POINTS -
VERY WELL WON

All match reports have a degree of bias.  I saw Canvey as the best team on the day, I'm sure Chesham-dot-com will say the opposite.  But one thing we can all agree on, this was a lovely game of football; very entertaining and a joy to watch.  In fact, one of the best games of football seen at Park Lane for a while and all credit to Chesham United who, unlike so many other clubs we've played recently, came wanting to play football and wanting to go home with a result.  That they went home empty handed was perhaps a just result, certainly that would be the point of view of any Canvey fan.  But for Chesham fans they must be disappointed that their team played well, got stuck into the game, were entertaining and gave it their best shot - but came away with nothing.

The first half got off to a cracking start and Canvey were quickly in control.  They held the important territory in mid-field and with Steve Ward back from another of his six-month school holidays, the team looked tight at the back.  It was something of a shock, therefore, in the eleventh minute when Micky Bennett was beaten on the edge of the box by Victor Renner who made no mistake when he put the ball past Ashley Harrison and put his team into the lead.

But Canvey were not disheartened and there was no doubt that they would fight their way back.  And fight they did.  Both teams put up a spirited attack which forced the opponents to put up a spirited defence.  The true winners were the fans who sat back to enjoy the action.  The only sour point of the afternoon was yet another referee who couldn't quite get control.  That there were five bookings in the game tells you more about Mr Merchant than it does about the players!

Canvey got back on level terms on 15 minutes when Mark Stimson came up to take a free-kick about 20yds from the Chesham goal-line.  The defence refused to move back the necessary 10yds and it was while this point was being debated that Stimo fooled everybody and instead of slamming the ball, sent in an inch perfect pass to the right side of the 6yd box where it was picked up by Wayne Vaughan.  He wasted no time in crossing the ball and it was Peter Smith - man of the match last Tuesday at Heybridge - who came in, fell over and half-chested/half-headed the ball to score the most unconventional goal to be seen at Park Lane in a long while.  But it was a goal nonetheless and Canvey were back on level terms.

Chesham's No. 8 Stuart Storer almost pulled things back just a few minutes later when 'keeper Preddie threw a long ball out to him and he set off on a magical run that took him from just inside  his own half to just inside the Canvey penalty area.  His finishing touch lacked the brilliance of his run, but it was a good move all the same.

Bad news came for Steve Ward when he went down injured on 24 minutes.  The fan's favourite player from last season hobbled off, to be replaced by Sammy Cooper and for a while Canvey lost much of their shape and organisation.  John Kennedy dropped back and Peter Smith moved into the middle, but it must have been a jolt to Canvey's system as a lot of the good play previously witnessed was now missing.

As the first half drew to a close, Chesham came back more and more into the game and Renner and Storer always looked dangerous.  Canvey fans held their collective breaths on numerous occasions when crosses were sent over to the far post, an area where Canvey always seem to look vulnerable.  When Tilson was booked on 41 minutes the resulting free-kick was sent over to this same danger area but, fortunately, was cleared to safety.  At the other end, far too many passes which previously had been inch-perfect, were falling short of their mark.

But all this stopped after the half-time break.  Canvey came out for the second session looking dangerous from the off.  Just like the Heybridge match they seemed to have little difficulty setting up the chances, but couldn't quite find the magic ingredient that converts chances into goals.  On too many occasions shooting chances were set up, but like perfect gentlemen, Canvey's forwards were far too polite instead of being greedy and pouncing on sight.

Neil Gregory was involved in a great piece of play on 51 minutes when his superbly timed header found Wayne Vaughan wide of the goalmouth with enough space to send a cross into the middle for Steve Parmenter.  On this occasion the shot was good, but Preddie's save was even better and so the scores stayed level.

It might have been a different story if Renner hadn't missed an almost empty goal just a few minutes later.  Finding himself through after a defensive mix-up, the talented mid-fielder could only hit the side netting.

And so it continued.  Good football, lots of opportunities and near misses.  Both teams were enjoying themselves and I would put Canvey slightly in the lead in terms of controlling the game and making the most goal-scoring opportunities.  But opportunities are not the same as conversions and it was quite clear that soon one side or the other would make such a conversion and take the points.

I think it was just and fair that it was Steve Clark who settled matters for the home team.  He came on for Wayne Vaughan on 76 minutes and within two minutes he was in the right place at the right time to wrap the game up.

But still Chesham didn't give in and both teams continued to battle until the final whistle.  When it eventually came it was three valuable and well earned points for Canvey which keeps them at second in the table, still three points behind Farnborough.  Having now played both Chesham and Farnborough at Park Lane there is no doubt about who were the better opposition, regardless of what the scorelines may say.

Match Report by Merv. Pictures by Ian

Weather Conditions: Warm, dry and pleasant afternoon. 

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