|
|||||||||
|
| ||||||||||
|
SIX WINS ON THE TROT
FOR CANVEY Swifts manager Dave Greene said, on BBC Essex after the game, that he thought his team were unlucky this afternoon, as they dominated the first half. He also said that the his team's direct approach (long lumps down the middle?) is the best way to progress. With respect Mr Greene, but if that is your reading of a game, no wonder your team finds itself at the bottom end of the table! Both Dick Davis and Matt Barker (also of BBC Essex) gave their 'Man of the Match' to the Heybridge goalkeeper, Darren Placid. Well, he didn't receive the nomination for his kicking (which was poor) or his catching of crosses (he flapped at most of them) so it does suggest that Canvey kept him busy and he, in turn, did well to keep them out. Get real, Mr Greene, Heybridge were lucky to get nil and for the second half at least, it was one-way traffic - all in Canvey's direction. Fair comment, there weren't as many goals as we would have liked, and we had to wait 75 minutes for the first one, but it certainly wasn't for lack of trying on Canvey's part. Heybridge did their best to close Canvey down and with some very close man-marking, this was effective for three-quarters of the game. The pitch also played an important part in taking the sparkle out of the Canvey attack that, just recently, has been on fire. It was very heavy and it cut up quite a lot, making the short pass and move style of play rather difficult. Heybridge weren't bothered so much by the state of the pitch as their main attacking method was to send long balls over the top of the Canvey mid-field for their forwards to run on to. It almost worked on 7 minutes when Cousins got onto the end of a ball and hit Harrison's post, but after that the truth is Ashley had very little to do. He did come off his line once or twice to clear a couple of the longer lumps, but apart from a good save in the dying moments, he clean-sheet bonus was easily earned. The game started and Canvey gradually settled down managing to get the ball forward, using both flanks as well as the number one route through the middle, but they found it difficult to get many shots on target towards Placid's goal. So tight was the marking on Boylan and Gregory, most goal attempts seemed to come from Chris Duffy, Lee Protheroe and Micky Bennett. Canvey's main problem seemed to be the defence, who were playing with great authority at the back, but couldn't manage to get any balls out to the midfield. Some of the passing was dreadful and thank goodness both Benno and Minton were on-form and able to carry the ball out to provide some service at the front. Not the best first half performance of all time from either side, but if only for their imagination, it had to go to Canvey on points. Half time Heybridge Swifts 0 Canvey Island 0 Canvey came out for the second half and immediately stepped their game up a gear. Lee Protheroe, who had taken a nasty knock in the first half, was replaced by Bertie Brayley and immediately from the kick-off, the whole team looked much sharper and more eager to get things moving. Canvey won three corners within the first five minutes and each one saw Placid unnerved and failing to dominate his 6yd box. Micky Bennett came very close with the third corner when his header was blocked before being scrambled away to safety. Brayley was providing some good service from the right and Lee Boylan appeared to get onto the end of everything. But still Canvey couldn't score. There was sustained pressure on the home goal, but still Canvey couldn't score. Lee Boylan got in a terrific shot in the 70th minute that bounced off the 'keepers outstretched arm, onto the upright, along the line and was then booted out to safety. And still Canvey couldn't score! At the other end there was little excitement, except when some of Swifts' long hoofs upfield drew Harrison off his line to make a clearance outside his penalty area. Most of these balls were dealt with easily, but on a couple of occasions, it was a close run thing, always the danger that Ash might get caught in no-man's-land. But the problem for a team like Swifts, who have only one club in their golf bag, is that if the tactic doesn't work, it doesn't work. Repeating it over and over again only leads to failure over and over again. Canvey got their well deserved goal on 75 minutes. It was a good move involving Minton on the left, who pushed the ball forward to Duffy. He, in turn, released it Gregory who knocked it into the path of Boylan who came in and slammed home from a difficult angle, just to the right of the goal. The visiting fans went wild because, at last, Canvey (and Boylan) had got what they really deserved. They deserved it because they were the team that was prepared to push the ball around, they were the ones playing the open, flowing football, they were getting into the opposing penalty area and testing the keeper and, simply put, they were the better team. Canvey held onto their lead, although a single goal advantage is always very difficult to defend. Ollie Berquez came on just before Swifts were awarded a corner in the 88th minute. For the pessimists in the travelling Yellow Army it looked dangerous. Fortunately the ball was cleared and it fell right to the feet of Jeff Minton. Jeff went on a run that took him a full 50yds and deep into the Heybridge half, with the home defence scrabbling to get back and cover. Minton pushed the ball to Bertie who then hit it forward, into the path of Chris Duffy. Duffers crossed the ball to Ollie Berquez who bundled the ball into the net to score his first goal for Canvey. It was Ollie's first touch of the ball and almost the last touch of the game. It was a good victory, certainly a good three points, even if it wasn't a classic game of football. But for anyone to suggest that the win was against the run of play is nonsense. To suggest that Heybridge were unlucky is total nonsense. Canvey have now put together a good run with six wins in all competitions and undefeated in the league since 16th November. Can the Gulls extend their run on Tuesday at Bishop's Stortford? Just as important, can they extend it next Friday at Northwich? Watch this space. Match Report by Merv Teams
Weather Conditions: Slight rain at kick-off on a very heavy pitch that cut up badly. What did you think of
today's match? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
