"Oh What Fun It Is To See Canvey Win Away!"

Canvey went into today's game starting a run of five games in fifteen days, their opponents - Chesham United. Today's line-up matched the same as last week's disappointing performance, with the exception of Micky Bennett, who replaced the ill Steve Ward and Lee Protheroe coming in for the suspended Steve Parmenter.

Chesham's ground being at the bottom of rolling hills was susceptible to a lot of fog during today's game and it was very hard for the fans on the terrace to see what was going on down the other end of the pitch.

Canvey started things off and also just like last Saturday, Canvey were playing sleek, flowing football. Matt Jones and Jeff Minton were linking up very well on the left of midfield and Matt Jones much improved from last week was putting in some superb crosses into the box. On the right John Kennedy and Lee Protheroe were also linking up well, playing some lovely passing football. Just two minutes into the game. Matt Jones collected the ball on the half-way line and bombed his way down the left, his precise cross landed right in the path of the oncoming Jeff Minton & Neil Gregory. The fans around me and the PA claimed it was Minton who got the first touch and sent the ball into the back of the net. One-nil Canvey and it looked certain that more goals would come in the first half.

Just minutes later Proths and JK played some overlapping, one touch football, Protheroe's cross was met by the head of Lee Boylan, but Richard Hurst was just in the right place to collect the ball in his arms. Matt Jones was on fire through-out the first half and his crosses were definitely the most dangerous weapon in Canvey's arsenal.
Canvey totally dominated the first-half, Jeff Minton had an eighteen yard shot parried by the 'keeper but unfortunately there was no-one for the follow-up. After about half and hour Chesham actually managed to get the ball in the Canvey half, a rifling shot was acrobatically saved from Ashley Harrison to deny Chesham a certain goal. This was a certain scare for Canvey and they knew that a second goal was needed. JK sent in a great cross that was met by an unchallenged Matt Jones, his effort just shaved the post and Canvey should have been at least three-nil up. Chesham were still gradually fighting back.

From a Canvey corner Gavin Cowan had a free header go just over the bar, however although the referee said 'no' Canvey fans were certain it took a deflection. In only Chesham's second shot on goal, Harrison was out of his goal quick and made a suicide dive at the oncoming attacker and stopped the shot with his feet. Gavin Cowan had another excellent effort, even closer than his last one. From another corner Cowan's effort hit the wrong side of the post and went for a goal-kick, two inches more to the right and it would've been in. Four-nil would've been a more realistic scoreline for the first-half and if Canvey kept up this performance in the second half, more goals would certainly come.

Half-time - Chesham United 0, Canvey Island 1.

Chesham like so many of Canvey's recent opponents came out all systems go for the second half. For the first ten minutes Canvey were put under the cosh while Chesham tried to re-group and hit Canvey with all they had. Canvey gained a free-kick about 22 yards out and dead in the centre of the field. It was Lee Protheroe's time to hit his trademark free-kick, but the goalkeeper was positioned well enough to stop the ball and collect it in his arms.

Canvey had survived the Chesham onslaught for the time being and it was Canvey's turn to attack. Another Canvey corner left Richard Hurst stranded and it was only a suicide dive from a Chesham defender that denied Jeff Minton his second of the game. Chesham didn't say die though with the score still at one-nil anything could've happened. Chesham had another great chance to even the odds But Harrison was on top form again to deny Chesham anything. Another scare for Canvey and this time they knew exactly what to do. They upped the pace and Lee Boylan was through one-on-one, his attempt to lob Hurst was a good one but unfortunately the effort was that bit too powerful and it missed to goal and went just over the bar and into the terrace from about seven yards out.

This scare for Chesham was the last straw. This time they did want something out of the game. Unfortunately due to the poor visibility Canvey fans couldn't exactly see what happened. It seemed that a corner from the right wasn't cleared properly and the initial Chesham shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced out falling to Warren Hackett who made no mistake in putting the ball in the back of the net. It was one-all and the Yellow Army thought it was Braintree, Purfleet, Kingstonian & Hayes all over again.

However two minutes later and Lee Boylan was brought down rather viciously just outside of the box. This time Lee Protheroe made no mistake, curling the ball around the wall and into the bottom-left hand corner of the goal a beautiful free-kick. Canvey were in the lead again and this time they needed to hold on to it. But five minutes later it was déjà vu as Darren Hay got Chesham's second of the goal and Chesham were on equal terms again.
With twelve minutes to go Lee Protheroe was through one-on-one with Hurst until John Morgan came charging in and brought him down in the area. The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Morgan being the last man was sent for an early bath. Lee Boylan calmly converted the spot-kick sending Hurst the wrong way. Canvey were in the lead again and it was edge of the seat action.

Boylan got his second of the game and Canvey's forth three minutes later when John Kennedy sent in the most accurate of diagonal balls from the half way line. The 35 yard ball landed beautifully at the feet of Boylan, he was through one-on-one once again and calmly he chipped the ball over and around Richard Hurst to round off a superb recovery from the Gulls. The Yellow Army couldn't contain themselves any longer and the chorus of 'Jingle Bells' rang throughout the ground.

4 - 2 up and Canvey were ready for some substitutions, Craig Davidson replaced the limping Micky Bennett and two minutes later Ollie Berquez came on for Neil Gregory. Chesham made all three of their substitutions at the same time, but they improved the team no-more, with minutes remaining young Michael Lee prelaced veteran Mark Brennan. Canvey held on for the win and at ninety minutes it was Canvey who went into the Christmas holidays with all the points. The only thing that the Yellow Army was a bit miffed about was the lack of acknowledgement from the players. All it needed was a clap in the right direction for the fans who had made the trip and stood for the whole game in the damp fog and drizzle...Or are they saving the celebrations Boxing Day?

Full-time - Chesham United 2, Canvey Island 4.

Match Report by Matt.

Weather Conditions:  Light drizzle and quite foggy.

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