This 'Pub Team' Gets In
Another Round

Canvey are through to the quarter finals of the FA Trophy.  They should have done it last Saturday at Park Lane - they were certainly good enough.  They should have done it tonight at Stevenage in normal time - they were the better team.  They should have done it in extra time - they were superb.  In the end they did it on penalties - certainly a lottery, but still nice when you win.

Cup competitions are always a great leveler and it's the un-predictability of cup games that creates all the tension and magic.  There is always a chance of a big team being upset by a smaller one.  The underdog does come out on top occasionally.  But such was the performance of Ryman League Canvey Island in this game that perhaps the most appropriate accolade is,  'The cream always floats to the top.'

The atmosphere at Broadhall Way was electric.  The crowd of 1148 crowded down each wing of the pitch in the spacious and comfortable stands, kept singing all night long and Stevenage can be proud of the very professional and passionate set-up that they have.  Keeping up with their Conference cousins, however, the travelling Yellow Army gave all it the stick they could and, having paid £10 for a seat, chose to stand all night long to really get behind their team.

Play kept moving from one end to the other and for most of the night both teams took it in turn to dominate.  Unfortunately for Stevenage, they didn't capitalize on their spells of domination and one could argue that either they played badly tonight, or that Canvey just wouldn't allow them to play well.  Whatever the reason, it was very difficult to believe that this was a Conference side lying seventh in their table.  The Stevenage attack had no way of getting past the defensive mastery of Ginger Sex God Steve Ward, Ben Chenery and Mick Bodley.  And even when they did, Ashley Harrison was his usual superb self.

It was mostly Canvey who were dominating the middle of the field although it would be wrong to suggest they had it all their own way.  There is a lot of talent in this Stevenage side and their passing was always sharp and on target.

The Highlights table shows eight bookings and a sending off for Boro's Robin Trott.  You might assume from this that it was World War 3 out there tonight, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Jason Brissett was booked early on for changing his shorts on the pitch.  The fact that the ball was dead at the time and we were waiting for a corner did not seem to influence the referee who was perhaps just a little 'whistle-happy' and, more importantly, 'yellow card happy.'  The only real foul of the evening was Trott's nasty upending of John Kennedy just on the hour, for which he received his second booking.

Although this was a great team performance by Canvey, it was made up of superb individual contributions from all eleven players.  It would be wrong to single any one player out as a hero, but you just have to say something about John Kennedy.  His tackling in defence was decisive and his runs down the flank were inspirational.  On the occasions when he teamed up with Wayne Vaughan (who ran and ran and ran all night long) they looked unstoppable.

Neil Gregory got just about everything that was aimed at his head and he created several chances playing in his new, deeper role.  Steve Parmenter looked to be enjoying himself and certainly caused the Boro defence a few headaches.  He has recently discovered a powerful shooting foot and although some of his long range efforts were a little wide of the target, he was still unlucky not to have put one or two away.

It was difficult to determine who was the chief playmaker, Steve Tilson or Mark Stimson, they both played so well in the middle of the park.  Chris Duffy looked dangerous on his overlapping runs and some of his clearances at the back helped Canvey to keep Boro's scoreline at zero.

The fact that there were no goals is not a reflection of a dull game; anything but.  It moved from end to end and everyone was pumping adrenalin whenever either side was in the target area.  It was exciting and in spite of some moans from the home fans about how much they had to pay to watch both games, the Canvey faithful thought it was terrific value for money.

The second half started slowly for Canvey and for a moment it looked as if Stevenage had been given a pep-talk in the dressing room and they were about to make amends for a very ordinary first half display.  That feeling was soon dispelled, however, as Canvey once again found their rhythm.  A Tilly free-kick had to be cleared off the line be a defender and a series of Canvey corners really tested the home defence.  Wayno hit the side-netting and Greggers blasted a relatively easy scoring chance wide.  It was all happening.  The fact that goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson was named as the Boro 'Man of the Match' whilst Ashley Harrison had little to do but take out crosses and hit back-passes upfield, gives you a reasonable perspective of the game.

Canvey were perhaps unlucky to have an appeal for a penalty (hand-ball) turned down, but perhaps when both sides feel that the referee has let them down, it could be said that he was neutral.  But eventually there were more than enough penalties for anyone.  The game finished at nil-nil and the extra time didn't add anything to the scoreline.  So it would go to penalties.  At last there would be a goal, even a lottery type which seems such an unfair way of deciding an important game like this.

The toss of the coin meant that the spot-kicks would be taken in front of fans at the Boro dominated North end of the ground (mind you, I suppose they dominated three ends of the ground).  John Hamshire went up to take the first one and had no difficulty in putting his team one-nil into the lead.  The first time Stevenage had been in front of Canvey in 210 minutes of football.

Neil Gregory replied for Canvey in exactly the same mode - great goal and now 1 - 1.

Adrian Clark, who had looked dangerous all game, put Boro back into the lead 2 - 1.

Adam Tanner did the business for Canvey and again it was level terms 2 - 2.

David Phillips came up for Stevenage.  He took a terrific run-up but, unbelievably, gave the crossbar the most almighty thumping.  Canvey now had the upper hand as it was still 2 - 2.

Could Adam Miller make it 3 - 2 with his spot kick.  Some Canvey fans couldn't bear to watch, but the roar of the Yellow Army told them that he could.

Dean Martin had to try and get one back for Boro to keep their hopes alive.  Pity he hadn't reckoned on the superb skills of Ashley Harrison - it was a fine save and the score was still 3 - 2.  Steve Tilson, waiting in the middle of the pitch, did a highland fling in joyous celebration.

All Ben Chenery had to do was score.  Could he do it.  YEAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Canvey had done it.  They had beaten Stevenage Borough at their own ground.  Of course penalties are a lottery, but Boro should never have allowed Canvey to buy a ticket, let alone grab the prize.  In the terrific bar before the game I talked to some smashing Boro fans, but they were blaming the sand at Park Lane for their club's dismal performance on Saturday.  "Just wait until we get you out there on that grassy, open pitch," they said.  I had to remind them that Canvey too find the boggy conditions below sea level difficult to master and that big, open, grassy pitches suit the Gulls, just as much as the Boro.

They didn't believe me.

They do now!

Match Report by Merv

Weather Conditions:  Cold evening with showers.

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