Canvey for Promotion?
The Odds Get Longer

After their third league defeat in the last four games, the odds on Canvey gaining promotion at the end of this season appear to be getting longer and longer.  We all knew that Aldershot would be strong contenders, but many were predicting that after their good start, Farnborough would fade away.  Sadly, it seems to be Canvey who are fading away and both Aldershot and Farnborough are picking up valuable points.

Nobody minds too much when Canvey lose because the opposition is easily the better team, when Canvey are totally outplayed or when they give their very best but are just pipped at the post.  Sadly none of these excuses were totally relevant today.  Canvey lost because they just couldn't get into gear.  They couldn't pass with accuracy and they couldn't control the ball with the sort of accuracy that has become the hallmark of their recent play.

Nobody wants to take anything away from Billericay's strong performance, but the truth is they were not a great side today.  Their first half performance in particular was unimpressive.  But Canvey could not  match their fight, their spirit or their determination to get to the ball and win.  Although the first half went to Canvey, they made the mistake of going off the boil after the midway break and never got it back together.

There was a good crowd at the New Lodge ground and the atmosphere was buzzing.  Plenty of singing from both ends and BBC Essex giving a live match commentary.  So when Alex Inglethorpe's free kick was headed home by Neil Gregory after only three minutes, the visiting fans thought they were in for a treat.  They watched as Canvey gradually dominated the first half play and came very close to extending their lead following several dangerous looking corners.

Billericay were finding it difficult to get stuck into the game although Danny Boateng always looked dangerous, especially when he teamed up with two goal hero Joe Baker.  However, the game was 35 minutes old before Ashley Harrison was forced to make his first real save.

It was from this point Canvey gradually allowed Billericay to get back into the game.  They eased off the pedal and began to coast.  This might be a suitable tactic against lesser opposition, but if you want to take all three points from a tense local derby, you can't ease up for a second.  After the half time break Billericay came out with a totally different attitude to the game, they went onto the offensive and Canvey seemed to stand back.

The team that is famous for its great passing and running skills suddenly looked tired and half-hearted.  Passes were going nowhere, ball control often disappeared altogether and creative play seemed to go out of the window.

Andy Jones came on for Wayne Vaughan on the hour in an attempt by Jeff King to spice up the forward line and Jonah looked to be the only yellow shirt who was fighting and chasing for the ball.  Unfortunately he got so little service that his efforts amounted to nothing.

Up until this point Billericay had been unable to capitalize on their new found form, but that all changed on 69 minutes when Joe Baker was put through, found himself in a scoring situation and slotted the ball under the advancing Harrison.  The game was back on level terms and Canvey fans had no reason to complain.  The home side had been so much sharper in the second half and they were rattling the usually dependable Canvey defence.

The ball was moving from one end of the park to the other, but it was when it was in the Canvey half that it looked the most dangerous.  As the game moved on it was no longer a question of whether Canvey would grab  the winner, but could they hold on to the draw?  Chris Moore looked very cool and calm at the centre of the Billericay defence and very little got past him - unlike his days when he played for the Islanders.

Billericay were very unlucky not to to go into the lead in the 80th minute when Boateng worked extremely hard out on the left and got over a perfect cross for Joe Baker who, from just a few yards out, skied the ball not just over the bar, but over the stand as well.  Then, just a few minutes later more disappointment for Billericay when Boateng in a great scoring position could only manage to hit the crossbar.  

The Canvey defence was not well and truly under the cosh and although it was a disappointment, it was not a surprise when Baker was put through in the dying seconds of the game to give Billericay a deserved lead.

With wins for both Aldershot and Farnborough today, this puts Canvey under enormous pressure if they want to stay in the leading pack as serious contenders for the championship.  The odds must be getting quite long on that one now.  Mind you, only a fool would write Canvey off and so don't be surprised if this recent loss of league form wasn't just a pre-cursor of greater things to come.

Well, we can but hope :-)

Match Report by Merv.

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