Only One King's Army Can Win.

Today was FA Trophy Quarter-Final day with Jeff King's Canvey Island playing host to Jake King's Telford United. Ian & I stood by the pitch as the Telford players arrived, we wondered what was going through their minds as one by one, they all looked closely at the pitch, on their way to the changing rooms. Mick 'the pitch' had managed, despite the heavy rain of the previous 48 hours, to get the surface playable, thanks to large amounts of Southend beach. Fortunately it was still dry at 3pm, and with a few extra fans appearing from the woodwork, the scene was set for a great day of football.

Canvey kicked off shooting towards the seawall and for the first ten minutes Canvey looked totally dominant over their Conference opposition, it wasn't long before the goal chances started coming either. Only three minutes into the game Andy Jones in his first game back from injury made a good run weaving in and out of the Telford defence and was unlucky to see his shot go just over the bar. The game was creating some good end to end play and more chances were coming when on nine minutes a free kick from the left was partially cleared but only to John Kennedy who did well to get it back in but eventually saw it cleared again. Telford surprisingly made a break away run to Ash Harrison's goal but with one of their forwards offside the linesman raised his flag, the forward still kicked the ball which did find the back of the net, although this was going to be the only time Telford could find the goal all afternoon.

With Canvey stepping up their play, they forced Telford to play better and that's exactly what they did and started getting back into the game, but with Mark Stimson in the midfield Canvey were having all the chances, Stimmo was obviously the natural playmaker at today's game. Thanks to several stunning passes from Stimmo out to the wings, and JK making defence splitting runs down the left, it wouldn't be long until the magic would cast it's spell, and that's exactly what happened when Canvey gained a throw in over on the right it was taken by Steve Parmenter and the ball came to the feet of Chris Duffy who put a straight square ball to that man Andy Jones, Jonah let rip a scorcher from the eighteen yard line straight into the roof of the net, one nil Canvey.

Telford kicked off, but immediately Canvey regained possession and were again looking for another goal, a fine chance came on twenty-two minutes when Jonah made a great run down the left and JK charging through the centre couldn't quite connect with the pass and it went just wide. A minute later and another great chance came when Jonah sent in a deep cross from the right which JK left for the advancing Steve Tilson who hit the ball into the side netting.

At this point the heavens opened, and the crowd behind the goal, made use of the half built stand extension to provide cover, leaving the hardy few to bear the very heavy showers, that rapidly turned the pitch into a mud-bath. Now while Telford were losing they didn't like it and started putting in hard tackles which would lead to bookings, the first came on twenty-six minutes where Telford's number eleven Steve Palmer was the offender. With JK still making his devastating runs a crisp cross came from him a minute later which if had connected with a yellow head would have certainly found the back of the net, but it didn't and very poor clearing from the Telford defence put it out for a corner, which did this time connect with the head of Neil Gregory who put the ball narrowly wide.

As Canvey slightly eased back with the half-time whistle looming Steve Tilson was beautifully put through and made a cracking run from the centre circle through the Telford defence and with just the keeper to beat took a pot shot, straight into Dean Williams' arms. One of those hard tackles came up again on thirty-nine minutes but this time was committed by Canvey's Steve Parmenter who got himself a yellow card and with Steve Palmer down injured it was left to the Telford physio to perform one of those "miracles" on him.

On the verge of halftime Telford were really piling on the pressure and Canvey fans around me were muttering "there're going to get one soon" and when Steve Palmer was put through (see what I mean about physios and miracles) those thoughts all most come true, but fortunately for us he could only hit the side netting. In one last ditch effort by Telford, their porky number five, Jim Bentley was on hand to take out the Canvey midfielders and he also gained a yellow card.

As the half-time whistle was blown, a small army tried to clear some of the water that had built up on the pitch during the first half. However the ref seemed happy with the conditions, knowing that if the game was called off, it would be some days before it could be re-staged, and complaints by the Telford players went un-answered.

Jake King must have given his side a bit of stick in the changing room as Telford kicked off the second half with much more flare. Their best chance came three minutes into the second half when Jake Edwards sent in a curling shot and was unlucky to find the side netting. On fifty minutes Telford made their first of three substitutions bringing on number sixteen, Gary Fitzpatrick for the injured Steve Palmer. Fitzpatrick added to Telford's scoring chances but our number one defender Steve Ward was always on hand to keep him at bay. Fifty-six minutes Telford's second substitution was made with Gary Martindale coming on for Chris Malkin.

On the hour another Telford player, Neil Moore was to get yet another yellow card for his team giving them a total of three bookings so far. Minutes later Telford took off their final striker in their third substitution of the game; Gez Murphy replaced Jake Edwards. The toll of the game was affecting the players' style and with the heavy downpours in the second half the pitch was turning into a beach with players slip-sliding everywhere. Seventy-six minutes into the game a one off long shot from Parms split the air but went shooting over the bar and in to the car park.

Thirteen minutes remained when Canvey made their only substitution of the game, with our goal scorer Andy Jones being replaced by Ian Thompson making his home debut for the club. Thomo was making brilliant runs around the Telford penalty area winging his way through Telford defenders legs and coming close himself on several occasions. With Telford desperately needing an equalizer they were sending long shots towards Ashley Harrison but Ash just tipped them over the bar with ease, pulling off some spectacular acrobatics in the process, but with Telford gaining last minute corners they didn't throw anything forward to get those last gasp chances.

Telford got their fourth and final booking of the game when their number eight Kevin Jobling was penalized. With the final whistle getting ever so closer the "Yellow Army" were in full chant which even included the drum today. However with the fourth official holding up the four card, to signal extra time, the ref managed to make it last about seven minutes, which got the home fans biting their nails again. But even that couldn't help Telford and it finished Canvey Island 1, Telford United 0.

Canvey go through to the two leg semi-finals against Forest Green, Chester or Hereford. But no matter whom we draw it's time to make the most of our Trophy dream (Where's our much needed support). Only one King's army were going  into the semis, and fortunately it was Jeff's, rather than Jake's.

Match Report by Matt. Photos by Ian

Weather Conditions: Some sunny spells with very heavy showers. (and I got wet! - Ian)