'Super-Sub' Boylan Secures Opening Day Win! 

Today was the day that Canvey Island fans had been waiting for with much anticipation. With some fine, impressive displays during the Pre-Season, today was the real thing. The passing and movement that decimated teams like Southend United, Slough Town and Gravesend & Northfleet shone through in fits and starts, but after 90 minutes the fans weren't entirely satisfied with the Gulls' performance, despite earning all three points.

Of the seventeen players available for today's game, Steve Parmenter was the unfortunate one not to make the 16 on the team-sheet. Looking at the team sheet you would've thought that Canvey Island were going to play 4-4-2, in fact they lined up as 4-5-1.

Only six minutes into the game and Ollie Berquez had Canvey's best chance so far. His header was tipped over the bar by Scott 'Sauages' Tarr. Berquez was booked on twelve minutes for a late, two footed challenge on the half-way line. Three minutes later and Ollie Berquez gained possession of the ball outside the penalty area. He ran forward and rounded one, two, three Basingstoke players. Once he had reached the penalty area he was rather rudely obstructed in getting to the ball to shoot home and the Referee had nothing to do but point to the penalty spot. Gulls Captain Neil Gregory stepped up to take the spot kick. He shot hard and low to his right, however Scott Tarr guessed correctly and managed to get a hand to the ball, he knocked the ball up onto the inside of the post, and the force of the ball made it fall over the line and into the back of the net. 1 - 0 to Canvey after 15 minutes!

It didn't look like Canvey's lead would last long though as Basingstoke battled back for an equaliser which they achieve on twenty minutes. A well rehearsed free-kick was tipped acrobatically over the bar by Ashley Harrison, however the follow-up corner was not cleared properly. Harrison flapped at the falling ball, with the hint of a foul on the Goalkeeper, before Neville Roach had the final touch of the ball as it reached across the goal-line. Back in the game Basingstoke took the game to Canvey and for the next 15-20 minutes of the first-half Basingstoke seemed to gain the upper-hand. They got more possession of the ball and dominance of the Park, particularly in Midfield where Canvey seemed to crowded to build anything up. This put Canvey on the back foot and fortunately Basingstoke couldn't quite make it to the last third of the pitch to really threaten Harrison's goal.

With Half-time approaching Canvey desperately needed to take control of the game and a that could only be achieved by a goal. Ty Gooden did the honours on 42 minutes when Neil Gregory was failed just outside the area. It was an exact repeat of Ty's free-kick against Slough Town a fortnight ago and it sailed over the defensive wall and into the back of Tarr's goal - Now that was a Gooden!! Stephen Laidler picked up Basingstoke's first booking of the game after he clearly pulled off some obstruction. A feature that Basingstoke used regularly throughout the game. This could be said was their downfall, at least two of Canvey's goals were down to obstruction. Ollie Berquez had the chance to make it three right before half-time. He was surprised to find the ball at his feet and with Scott Tarr closing him down quickly, Berquez panicked and shot just over the crossbar.

Half-time:- Canvey Island 2 - 1 Basingstoke Town

The second half started much like the first ended, Basingstoke gained the upper hand and it was down to some poor finishing that they didn't double their tally. But Canvey managed to battle back and the play was fairly even for the first half an hour or so. Ernie Howe tried to turn 'Stoke's dominance into goals and introduced a substitution with Neville Stamp replacing Ian Dickins. It seemed strange for Basingstoke to be playing 4 at the back when Canvey were only playing 1 up front.

Tempers flared during the second half and due to some diabolical Refereeing/Linesmen co-ordination and over-ruling the fans were getting very frustrated too. A Canvey attack landed at Neil Gregory, it was here that the Assistant Referee raised his flag - for a foul by Gregory. However the Referee didn't see the risen flag and let play continue. The ball now was at the feet of Ollie Berquez, he was through one-on-one with Tarr and had managed to put the ball past him. However Tarr saw fit to block Berquez, (yet even more obstruction) blatantly with two hands and shirt pulling. The Referee pointed immediately to the penalty spot again and was ready to send Tarr for an early shower. THEN he noticed the Assistant's flag. After some discussion the Referee decided to reverse his decision to award the penalty and re-set the game in Basingstoke's favour from where the apparent foul by Neil Gregory had taken place. This aggravated the Canvey players, fans and management alike. Efon Elad, who had felt the need to make his voice heard to the Referee throughout the whole game picked up a yellow card as did David Theobald within the space of eight minutes.

On seventy-six minutes Neil Midgley replaced Ollie Berquez and five minutes later Lee Boylan replaced Neil Gregory, who handed the Captain's armband to Ben Chenery. Lee Boylan added the missing pace up front and on eighty-five minutes he found the ball at his feet and headed goalwards. However in the penalty area he found himself on the ground and the Linesman signalled to the Referee that he had been fouled by Steve Hemmings. A bit harsh I felt, especially as I don't know what the penalty was awarded for, (I didn't recognise the signal the Assistant Referee showed). However Lee Boylan didn't miss from the spot and scored Canvey's third of the game. A minute later Chris Duffy replaced Gavin Cowan at left-back and Canvey finished the game with three goals and three points in the bag.

The formation of 4-5-1 was not pretty to witness today but it worked. The style of play seemed dull, but Canvey still managed to win. Farnborough, Gravesend & Aldershot all used simple un-impressive tactics to win their matches and eventually the League. Now Canvey have taken a leaf out of their books and decided to opt for the same style. Fans won't be treated to much 'sexy football' this season, but as long as the wins keep coming, they'll be happy. Although many of the Yellow Army were amazed at the positions some players played today! Surely we're not still experimenting?

Full-time:- Canvey Island 3 - 1 Basingstoke Town

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Match Report by Matt.

Weather Conditions:  Bright & Sunny with a strong breeze.

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