Canvey  Sow  The  Seed  Of  Doubt

Farnborough are the league champions and nobody can take that away from them.  But there are one or two people around who are asking if they would have done it had Canvey not had such a horrendous backlog of fixtures.  All season they have been asking, 'Who really is the best team?'  Tonight it may not have been the definitive answer, but it has certainly sown a seed of doubt in many people's minds.

For me and a group of other Yellow Army fans it was a very special and poignant moment when we walked from one end of the Aimita Stadium to the other to be behind the Canvey goal, just after kick-off.  A large group of Farnborough fans turned and applauded us, wishing us well at Villa Park, as we walked past.  In return we gave them our genuine congratulations on their team's performance over the season and their winning the championship.  This is what following football at this level is all about as I have no doubt the expressions of mutual respect that were exchanged were quite sincere.

The pitch was looking good, the stadium was busy and the atmosphere was good.  Both teams were exhausted even before the KO although Canvey's dilemma was commented on from all quarters of the ground - such is the disbelief and annoyance that Ryman fans have for the officials/system that has allowed such a sorry mess to happen this  year.

The fixture backlog for Canvey is more than just an annoyance or talking point.  It could well have been the difference between first and second place in the league.  Nobody will ever know, but it did give an extra edge to the game that both teams wanted to win.  In the end, Canvey wanted to win it more than Farnborough and that is what gave their players that extra edge and extra bite.  It was a very good performance by Canvey against a talented and skillful Farnboro side.  The football was good and the game, in general, was very entertaining.

Farnborough had a disappointment within the first three minutes when they lost Justin Gregory to an injury that saw his carried off on a stretcher.  But Canvey got off to a flying start and Mick Bodley did well with a terrific header in the 8th minute from an Adam Miller corner.  There were other attempts on goal and Stuart Mackenzie, the 'boro 'keeper didn't always look too happy.  One of the evening's tamest attempts on his goal came on 11 minutes when Chris Duffy miscued and sent in a low, slow, curling, bobbling cross that, to be perfectly honest, was going nowhere.  Defenders swung at it - but missed; attackers stabbed at it - but misses; Mackenzie dived at it - but missed.  Everyone missed and the ball curled into the net.  Canvey were one-up.  It was a terrific boost for them and they started to enjoy themselves.

Andy Jones almost made it two just a few minutes later from a Miller cross and unluckiest of all, Mickey Bennett saw Mackenzie off his line on 20 minutes and attempted to lob him.  The result was just a tad too high but it sent a warning to Farnborough that Canvey were up for this one.

On 23 minutes Canvey were awarded a free -kick just on the edge of the 'boro penalty area.  Mark Stimson tipped the ball a few cm. to the right and Adam Miller unleashed an unstoppable shot that the 'keeper just couldn't get to.  Two-nil up against the Champions in their fifth game in seven days - Roy of the Rovers stuff!

Farnborough got one back almost immediately when Piper hit home a long shot just two minutes later.  The ball wasn't struck particularly hard, but it found its way through the morass of legs and bodied in the crowded area and beat Ashley Harrison.  The stage was now set for a very interesting game.

In midfield, Mark Stimson was demonstrating what a fine player he is.  He was Canvey's playmaker and he looked strong.  Also impressive was Mickey Bennett.  He was playing forward more that he usually does and whenever he got the ball, fans felt confident that he would hold onto it and move it about.  For Farnborough, their most impressive player was No. 7, Steve Watson.  He showed real quality and class and complimented the talent that was all around him.  If anyone ever implies that the Ryman League is not good enough to feed into the Conference, let them look at teams like Canvey and Farnborough and think again.

In the second half both teams took turns to run the game.  Canvey had a blatant penalty turned down when a Clark header bounced off the crossbar (another lucky escape for the 'boro) and Darren Annon almost caught it in his left hand - that's how blatant it was.  However, this started a spell by Canvey when the won a series of corners and came close on many occasions.  A whole torrent of shots rained in on Mackenzie's goal but credit to this formidable Farnborough defence, they stood their ground and kept Canvey out.

Gradually Canvey started to lose the 50/50 balls and 'boro seemed to be getting more lucky breaks.  But in football you make your own luck and nobody could deny that it was now the turn of the Canvey defence to be the stars.  If Farnborough had wanted it more, they might well have taken it, but it seems they didn't.

Adam Miller gave a superb performance and is certainly a rising star in the Jeff King squad of the future.  Craig Davidson also demonstrated that he has all the skills to be included and the combination of Ward, Chenery  & Bodley as the main stoppers at the back continues to be one that other clubs admire.

A great game, a great result.  Which one really is the best team of the season.  Obviously, consistency counts and so the title must go to Farnborough.  But even they must now have just a little seed of doubt? 

Match Report by Merv

Weather Conditions:  Dry mild evening.  Pitch in very good condition.

What did you think of today's match? 
Who was YOUR man of the match?
Any comments at all on the match?
 
Share your thoughts on the
Discussion Board