Gregorys' Glory

Canvey played host to bogie team Hitchin Town today, but maybe their curse the Gulls is breaking as Canvey's scoreline could easily be double what it finished. After another minute's silence in aid of Jessica Chapman & Holly Wells Canvey kicked off shooting towards the sea-wall.

Hitchin got off to a great start scoring after only about ten seconds, unfortunately I was still walking behind the main-stand to my place and missed the goal. All I knew was Canvey were one-nil down already and the supporters were suffering flash-backs of last Tuesday. However Canvey upped the pace immediately, and managed to get attacks into the Hitchin penalty area. A few Canvey chances went high and wide before Neil Gregory pulled the game level sixteen minutes gone. A perfectly placed cross from Scott Forbes fell beautifully to 'Little Gregors' who thundered a header past James Robinson into the back of the net. Canvey's second goal of the season had finally come and what a beauty it was. In fact all three of Canvey's goals today were well taken.

My Man of the Match Lee Protheroe made a strong run down the right wing and his final cross almost evaded Robinson, but the Hitchin 'keeper's quick reflexes pulled the ball from the feet of any advancing attacker.

On twenty-four minutes new signing Jeff Minton made a brilliant run from the centre, passing through the Hitchin midfield and defence. However he pulled just too wide of the goal and his low ball went skimming past the far post. A minute later Chris McMenamin followed through on a tackle on John Kennedy and sweeped the younger Winger to the floor, earning himself a yellow card.

Half-time: Canvey Island 1 Hitchin Town 1.

The second half started with Canvey on a high and they were easily the most dominant team during this half. It was Neil Gregory again who put the Gulls in front after being put through on the half-way line by Scott Forbes. Gregory with the ball at his feet evaded the Hitchin defence and poked the ball under the 'keeper and into the bottom corner of the goal. Canvey were in the lead for the first time this season!

Two-one up and Canvey were mounting even more pressure on the tiring Hitchin players. John Kennedy and Lee Protheroe were ruling the right wing, Scott Forbes was dominating the left wing and Ollie Adedeji in the starting lien-up for the first time since coming back from injury was commanding the defence. Danny Potter pulled of some key stops to save Canvey's lead in goal, and Jeff Minton was putting in a superb debut in the centre of the park.

On sixty-one minutes Neil's brother David Gregory got goal number three after a Scott Forbes corner was fumbled by Robinson. 'Big Gregors' was on hand to collect the loose ball and sent an excellent looping header into the far corner of the goal. Three-nil Canvey and their first win looked on the cards.

The heat of today's Sun was taking it's toll on the players and Paul Cobb replaced the ever-chasing Lee Boylan on sixty-four minutes. Two minutes later Hitchin replaced Ian Scott with Louie Evans and although stepping up a gear and improving their style of play, they never looked like scoring a second with Ollie Adedeji on the pitch. Each of the defenders Adedeji, Micky Bennett & Ben Chenery all made key tackles in today's game breaking down Hitchin attacks.

Fifteen minutes to go and Hitchin made another substitution with Carl Drew being replaced by Shaun Marshall. Hitchin once again tried to take the game to Canvey but even though they did give the 'Yellow Army' a few scares, they couldn't get past the rock solid Adedeji or Danny Potter.

Eleven minutes to go and my last Tuesday's Man of the Match Spencer Knight replaced today's hardworking John Fisk's Man of the Match Scott Forbes in a straight swap. Some of the dummies and shimmies Spence pulled off fooled the Hitching defence and left their players motion-less on the pitch. A minute later and Canvey made their third and final sub with excellent debutant Jeff Minton being replaced by young. Talented Striker Bertie Brayley.

During the last ten minutes of the game Canvey mounted pressure and with today's chances the score could easily have been six or seven for Canvey. Scott Forbes should have had a goal himself but his miss lead to the corner from which David Gregory nodded home, so Jeff I think Forbesey deserves an assist bonus for today's efforts.

Now Canvey travel to Basingstoke on Monday for their Bank Holiday tie and their first chance to show off their new Away Kit. Basingstoke are going strong winning their last two games on the trot and if Canvey can reproduce today's performance at The Camrose Ground and very entertaining game is to be expected.

Full-time: Canvey Island 3 Hitchin Town 1.

Match Report by Matt.

Weather Conditions:  Dry & Hot.

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