WE  DID  THE  DOUBLE...
NOW  WE  DO  THE  TREBLE

You’ve got the magic of the FA Cup, the excitement of the FA Trophy and then, lagging somewhere behind, you have a multitude of smaller competitions - including last night’s Bryco Cup 4^th Round tie at Hitchin.  But it’s a competition worth having, even though it generally fails to capture the imagination of too many fans.  Last night only 119 spectators paid to watch Canvey’s impressive three-one win at Hitchin’s Top Field, their second there in 15 days (and their third Hitchin win this season).

OK it wasn’t a performance up to Saturday’s corker at Park Lane against Cirencester, but Hitchin are a far tougher nut to crack than the Gloucestershire outfit and it was still an enjoyable game to watch with plenty of industry and commitment from both sides.  There were a few changes from Saturday’s Trophy line-up with Lee Protheroe starting a two match ban and Jeff giving a full game to both Jukka ‘Rudi’ Ruhanen and Bertie Brayley.

Hitchin were the first to get off the starting blocks with a goal as early as 3 minutes.  This followed a mix-up in midfield when Canvey’s talented Finnish international was rather hesitant in releasing the ball in midfield and it falling instead for No. 10 Matt Nolan to make a run towards Canvey’s goal.  Danny Potter’s was off his line very quickly and managed to clear the ball for a corner but it was from the corner that Craig Rydehead climbed high and headed home with relative ease.  The few Canvey fans who had ventured this far north to watch the game didn’t get into to much of a panic being one goal down so early on.  They remembered their last visit to Top Field when Canvey went down to an early goal but went on to take the game.

Bertie Brayley almost got a quick equaliser when he made a dangerous looking run towards the Hitchin goal and unleashed a powerful shot that ‘keeper James Robinson did well to push out for a Canvey corner.  Rudi was also looking for some goalmouth action and he was unlucky on several occasions.

Although Hitchin proved stiffer opposition than Cirencester, their main tactic seemed to consist  of long lumps upfield and chase which was not very effective and they looked far more dangerous when they constructed attacks which involved running at the Canvey defence.  As we approached the half-hour mark it was frustrating to see how the home side had had one shot on goal and scored whilst the visitors were sending in balls from everywhere but still couldn’t get off the mark.

It was just on the half-hour when Neil Gregory got himself onto the scoresheet, courtesy of a good run on the left by Chris Duffy.  Duffers managed to get to the bye-line before sending over an inch perfect cross, past the stranded ‘keeper, directly to the boot of Neil Gregory.  Canvey were back on level terms and for the rest of the game it was a question of Canvey thwarting Hitchin’s long ball attempts and then building on some nice passing football, Minton impressing as always, before sending in an attack on the home goal. 

Minton certainly impressed with his goal, scored just on the hour.  It came about from a free-kick some 30-35yds out, taken by Steve Parmenter.  Parms knocked the ball just a few feet to his right, ready for Minton to run onto.  For a moment it looked as if a Hitchin defender might get in first and spoil the shot but Minton was sharp enough to just get in first and the thunderball he released almost broke the sound barrier as it screamed past Robinson and into the net.

Bearing in mind the downbeat atmosphere of the competition, few Canvey players truly 'sparkled' in the way they did last Saturday, instead it was an honest,  workmanlike performance, but it was certainly enough.  New man Rudi looked just as sharp as on Saturday and his passing, after that initial hesitation, was accurate and precise.  He may well take a few games to settle in (and to learn the players’ names!) but already he looks to be a great asset. 

Lee Boylan came on for (rather surprisingly) Neil Gregory just a few minutes later and then things livened up somewhat.  Gregory had a good game and always looked trouble in the air although he didn’t have Boylan to play off – something he has done very well in their last two outings together.  When Boylan came on he looked hungry and keen but, once again, seemed to miss having Gregers to play off.

Canvey’s third goal was a good effort by Bertie Brayley.  He picked up an accurate through ball from substitute Michael Lee (he came on for JK) and then turned on the magic, cutting in and sending in a shot from the right of the Hitchin penalty area that looked good all the way.  Bertie had come close several times throughout the game and he certainly caused a few problems.  But the fine distinction between his eagerness to get a shot in his degree of selfishness that ignores players better placed to score, is a close one to call.  But all the same, he scored and it was a good goal to take the game beyond the reach of a rather dejected looking Hitchin.

Having never won at Hitchin the past 15 days has seen two impressive performances and a goal tally of 6 for and 3 against.  But, for the time being, Canvey can put the Bryco cup behind them and get back to some league action with just a little thought for a future trip down memory land for Chris Duffy and an important Trophy game at Northwich Victoria.

Match Report by Merv

Weather Conditions:  Dry mild evening on a very heavy pitch.

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