.

This game started brightly with both teams attacking well. Thurrock's Tresor Kandol & Cliff Akurang looking dangerous and Canvey midfield Dominant with Jeff Minton orchestrating most attacks. Thurrock had a free kick in the 13th minute which went narrowly wide although Potter seemed to have it covered.

On 18 minutes John Kennedy hit a through ball to Neil Gregory who, flicked it on for Lee Boylan, who controlled the ball perfectly and flanked by a defender either side, slotted the ball home for the first goal.

Canvey continued to mount attacks and looked really dangerous coming forward. It was from one these attacks that the ball came out to John Kennedy who, hit an unstoppable 25 yard curler with the outside of his right boot leaving Thurrock's Paul Gothard rooted to the spot.

Finally with a couple of minutes left in the half, Lee Boylan once again penetrated the Thurrock defence but his fierce shot was parried by the Thurrock keeper. However it came back to Boylan who cooly laid the ball back to Neil Gregory who tapped the ball in from a couple of yards.

Half-time: Canvey Island 3 - 0 Thurrock.

Thurrock came out stronger for the second half and Canvey had some defending to do for the first ten minutes, with Danny Potter somehow saving with his legs after the first five minutes. Canvey soaked up the pressure and went on the attack with Lee Boylan shooting just wide after 15 minutes and Neil Midgley's shot well saved.

However the Canvey faithful didn't have too long to wait for goal No.4, Neil Gregory flicked a through ball on for Lee Boylan who once again beat off the defenders and shot low and hard into the back of the net.

Thurrock then hit back a couple of minutes later with a great goal from No. 10 Tresor Kandol. After 82 minutes another fierce shot from Thurrock hit the post and the shot from the rebound went over. On 84 minutes the referee awarded Thurrock a penalty after Ben Chenery was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Cliff Akurang stepped up to take it and even though Danny Potter dived the right way it was goal No.2 for Thurrock.

With two minutes to go it looked like the three points were in the bag, until another well taken goal from Cliff Akurang left the Yellow Army with that sinking feeling but fortunately the Referee blew the whistle securing the 3 points.

Full-time: Canvey Island 4 - 3 Thurrock.

Match Report by 'Andy the Marsh Rat'

Weather Conditions:  Overcast with spots of rain at times.

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