"Don't You Think You Should Be More Constructive?"

That is what I was asked tonight, in reference to criticising the team "all the time". Well the answer is yes, I could. But then I would lying through my teeth and not a true football fan. I could say that Canvey were very unlucky tonight and didn't deserve to lose. That the formation used tonight was obviously the best to use to try and win tonight's game. Or that the Canvey players were tired and just couldn't find the energy to match the opposition. But then I would definitely be lying and probably the only CIFC fan not angry and frustrated with tonight's defeat at Bishop's Stortford.

On to the football side of things, the available squad for tonight's game was the same as the one that beat Basingstoke on Saturday. Once again Steve Parmenter drew the short straw and didn't make the bench. The same starting line-up was used as was the 4-5-1 formation. Even before the game today some of the fans were a bit concerned that Canvey hadn't managed to score a goal in open-play on Saturday and the three goals came from one well taken free-kick and two penalties. One of them being rather generous. When the line-up was announced tonight the Yellow Army, who started the game in full song could tell right away that where as we might have been lucky against Basingstoke, lightening wouldn't strike twice.

Canvey started the game brightly, having most of the possession and giving the travelling fans something to sing about in the opening minutes. Neil Gregory playing up front on his own had a number of chances fall for him, but he couldn't quite convert the chances to goals, shooting across the face of goal on numerous occasions. On eighteen minutes Ollie Berquez had the best Canvey chance so far, his lob hooked over Stortford 'keeper Micky Desborough, but didn't dip early enough and the ball landed on the roof of the net. However it didn't all go Canvey's way. Bishop's Stortford gave the Canvey fans many scares. Several chances slipped past the over-crowded Midfield and it was either the tough tackling of Peter Smith, The sheer height of David Theobald or the cool head of Ben Chenery that prevented The Blues taking the lead any earlier than they did. Some rare balls did skip past the entirety of the Canvey team and it was poor finishing on Stortford's part, (many balls going the same way as Canvey's - across the face of goal) that kept in 0-0.

On several times in the first half once Canvey had realised that Bishop's Stortford were a far different outfit than Basingstoke with more passion and determination. The compensate for this Canvey did revert to 4-4-2 when attacking Desborough's goal and they looked more lively. Indeed Ollie Berquez had a shot blocked by Micky Desborough's legs on half an hour in Canvey's first really threatening attack. However as half-time drew nearer Canvey slipped into the one man up front a few times. It was a 4-4-2 attack that created Canvey's best chance of the half. A layoff fell to the feet of Jeff Minton and from the edge of the area his volley was brilliantly turned over by Desborough and he had denied Canvey a certain goal.

A minute before half-time and Neil Gregory made miss of the match. A great low ball in from the left was totally missed by Gregory and the chance went begging, this miss was very frustrating for the Canvey fans and it really summed up Canvey's luck tonight. The loose ball was picked up just on the edge of the Canvey area and Peter Smith's two-footed challenge resulted in a Yellow Card for the ex-Grays man even though he had touched and won the ball first.

Half-time: Bishop's Stortford 0 - 0 Canvey Island

For the second half Bishop's Stortford took control of the game, only six minutes into the half and a Blues free-kick took a slight deflection off of Gavin Cowan's head and hit the foot of Ashley Harrison's goal. Nine minutes later Canvey weren't so lucky Aaron Barnett lept up above the Canvey defence and headed home his effort taking a slight deflection, possibly off of Cowan again before going into the back of the net. Feeling that their team were having to play against the Referee too the Yellow Army were becoming even more frustrated. Frustrated at the Players, frustrated at the Management, at the Referee and even some were getting frustrated with each other!!! Things were getting stressful down at the Canvey end and the fans demanded changes there and then. Chants of "Lee Boylan" sparked up as the fans wanted him on the pitch. They had to wait seven minutes for the Players to come on Chris Duffy replacing Gavin Cowan and Lee Boylan replacing Lee Protheroe. With these changes in personnel and formation Canvey looked more of a unit.

Just over twenty minutes remaining and Canvey looked more an attacking, united force. Neil Gregory's volley hit the outside of the post and The Gulls were making it back into the game. Attacks were coming down the left and right more effectively than they had all game and some nice football was being put together. Where Canvey failed after this though was when they got in the 18 yard box. They didn't know what to do. Stortford had thrown men behind the ball and desperately not wanting to loose possession or the advantage. Canvey were kept at bay by the Blues' defence, Aaron Barnett having a particularly good game.

Seventy-three minutes and Peter Smith received his second yellow card of the game and his marching orders. Buzz's two-footed challenge from behind was followed up by some strong words and the Referee didn't hesitate to note Smith's name down in the book again. Two minutes later Bishop's Stortford replaced Tim Langer with Russell Williamson. Canvey replied by bringing on Neil Midgley for Neil Gregory, Gregory handed the Captain's armband to Ben Chenery before leaving the field. A minute later though Roy Essandoh doubled Stortford's lead. After a 6 yard box scramble in which Ashley Harrison had fumbled a ball and was stranded on the floor, Essandoh slotted the failed to be cleared properly, (again) ball into the back of the net sending the Stortford fans wild. It didn't look as if they would remain bottom of the League again tonight!! Five minutes till full-time and Martin Hayes tried to preserve Stortford's lead as Canvey tried to mount and serious last minute consolation by replacing Gary McKeown with Michael Black. Stortford did manage to hang onto the lead though much to the fury and disgust of the Canvey Island fans.

The Yellow Army were certainly very unhappy with tonight's loss and they had no fear of hiding their feelings of passion for the team with calls for the Management to "get it right, or get lost". But as one certain Mr. Protheroe said to me after the final whistle. We can't expect to win every game and stroll this League and we've got 44 more League games to go till May 1st. We're in a better position this season that we were last season and things can. (or rather should to much of the Yellow Army) only get better in time for Canvey's trip to Maidenhead United this coming Saturday.

Full-time: Bishop's Stortford 2 - 0 Canvey Island.

Match Report by Matt.

Weather Conditions:  A Dry, Warm night.

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