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Tiredness Tells There is no doubt that the tiredness is now well and truly showing on these Canvey heroes who have given 110% all season. The performance today lacked that extra special bit of sparkle that has become the hallmark of almost all their performances this season. The magic that was there in all those great cup and trophy games, the flair that created that superb run of wins earlier in the season, the dominance that kept clean sheet after clear sheet earlier this year has finally evaporated. This was ordinary stuff. The stuff that so many other fans watch every week without ever a complaint. For Canvey fans it seems such a disappointment. To end the fantastic season on a down beat would be such a shame when the past nine months have been so exciting, so thrilling, so upbeat. The vast empty and lonely spaces at Croydon rarely generate atmosphere and today was no exception. A tiny home crowd was hardly swollen by the smallest travelling Yellow Army ever experienced. Perhaps the fans who have travelled this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are feeling just as tired as the players. There was another variation in Jeff King's starting line-up with the wing-backs being given a well deserved break. John Kennedy has given everything in his 53 appearances this season and Jeff is obviously trying to conserve some energy for the BIG GAME coming up on 13th. This game had a similar feel to it as the ones seen recently. In the first half Canvey took control in spite of some early attempts on Ashley Harrison's goal from Ben Judge and Graham Harper. But Ashley was on tip-top form today and in spite of his 58 appearances this season, he was as agile and athletic as ever. Judge almost opened the scoring for Canvey when he hit his own post in the 25th minute, the mistake coming as he was being charged down by Andy Jones. This was an important let-off for Croydon but when Steve Clark hammered home Mark Stimson's diagonal pass across the penalty area on 43 minutes, visiting fans hoped the recent downturn in form might be over. Sadly it was not to be. The second half was rather more pedestrian than the first and whereas a few weeks ago Canvey would have exploited the gaping holes in Croydon's defence, today they could only lob and hope. Just like at Enfield, nobody was getting on the end of the forward passes and in midfield Canvey were losing the ball far too easily. When shots were set up they were either too high, too wide or too tame. Both Jonah and Clarkie were guilty on occasions but the real problem was that not enough opportunities were being set up. Perhaps Steve Tilson's absence was partly the reason for this. Liam Bright came on for Ian Thompson who limped off injured in the 58th minute. Liam gave a good account of himself but it was his rather rash challenge on Sinclair LeGeyt on 65 minutes that resulted in Croydon's penalty. Richard Thompson made no mistake from the spot and suddenly Croydon were back on level terms. Being back in the game lifted Croydon and they now enjoyed a good spell of domination. Disaster was near on 68 minutes when a dangerously high two footed challenge on Ashley Harrison saw the 'keeper go down and he had to have treatment before he was ready to play on. This injury may well have slowed Ash down somewhat but it certainly wasn't his fault when the defence fumbled a free-kick from out on the right in the 70th minute. The poor clearance only went as far as Richard Thompson and he made no mistake in bagging his second goal of the afternoon. From here on in nobody seemed to care any more. News ran around the stand that Farnborough were ahead at Billericay and even the most ardent fans seemed disinterested. What is now in everyone's mind is not the runners-up place (it's ours for just six more points) but the FA Trophy on 13th. Pity that the season seems doomed to end with a run of defeats or lacklustre performances but fans really do feel let down by the Ryman League officials for allowing the fixture fiasco to happen in the first place. This is not how any club's season should end but that is a different argument. Perhaps everyone should save their energy - what there is left - for the big one at Villa Park. Match Report by Merv Teams Canvey from- Ashley Harrison, Ian Thompson, Craig Davidson, Ben Chenery, Micky Bennett, Steve Ward, Adam Tanner, Mark Stimson, Steve Clark, Andy Jones, Adam Miller, Subs: Liam Bright, Chris Duffy, Neil Gregory. Croydon - Les Cleevely, Danny Bower, Mark Crome, Mark Dickinson, Graham Harper, Ali Reeve, Chris Dickson, Ben Judge, Richard Thompson, Nic McDonnell, Barry Kingsford. Subs: Amari Coleman, Craig Dundas, Sinclair LeGeyt. Weather Conditions: Very heavy downpour onto a heavy pitch. What did you think of
today's match?
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