Robbie King notched either side of Danny Heale’s goal to continue his run as Canvey Island’s top scorer as the Gulls comprehensively strolled to victory over a Maidstone United team that unfortunately reflected their league position and are ultimate poised for the drop.

It read 1 minute and 55 seconds on the stopwatch, when King netted his first; capitalising on a huge defensive mix-up. A simple pass was rolled to Joe Vines who let the ball run across him, unknown to Vines was that King was chasing the ball from midfield and he cheekily stole the ball from Vines putting himself through one on one with Andy Walker. King smashed the ball past Walker’s right and into the corner of the net bringing his total number of goals this season to twelve.

Vines was not going to have a good day at the Brockwell and could’ve walked for an early bath after just six minutes when his two footed lunge at Alex Rhodes at the corner flag earned him only a yellow card and constant stick from the Yellow Army. Matt Game’s free-kick reached the far-post where Walker gingerly collected the ball amongst the rising bodies.

On 10 minutes Jason Hallett, standing on the edge of the box flicked on a right-wing cross to Alex Rhodes behind him. Rhodes smacked the ball first-time, sending it narrowly past the near post.

Kevin Dobinson beat the Maidstone defence after another error between Joe Vines and Aiden Sherlock. Dobinson’s effort from just inside the box was parried by Walker out for a corner.

A minute later and Dobinson turned provider. He stood at the far post to nod down Alex Rhodes’ left-wing cross into the path of Hallett. Hallett volleyed the ball goal wards only to be denied by Dane Sutton, standing on the line.

Matt Game’s corner connected with the near post on 26 minutes, bouncing clear into the path of Alex Rhodes. Rhodes’ effort was deflected out for a second corner which failed to beat the first defender.

Dobinson was in on the action again on 35 minutes as he collected the ball from midfield and attempted an audacious lob from 40 yards out that had the accuracy to go over Walker’s head but didn’t quite dip in time and the ball only just narrowly sailed over the cross bar by a couple of feet.

James Russell coolly collected a low cross from Dane Sutton on 36 minutes, whilst before this the only touches of the ball Canvey’s custodian had were back passes from his own players.

Canvey broke from midfield on 42 minutes and a lovely aerial one-two between Alex Rhodes and Jason Hallett brought a reflex save from Walker. Hallett flicked the ball behind him into the path of Rhodes bombing down the left, Rhodes replied sending a cross back in onto Hallett’s head, before Walker tipped the ball over the cross bar.

Canvey deservedly led at the interval and the Yellow Army were fully confident that the second half could turn into a rout on the Maidstone goal.

H/T: Canvey Island 1 - 0 Maidstone United

The Yellow Army didn’t have to wait too long after the break for the action to continue as Joe Vines again inadvertently turned provider for another Canvey goal. Vines hooked the ball from defence, on the edge of the penalty area but it went straight into the gut of Kevin Dobinson. The ball deflected into the path of Danny Heale who had remained onside and as the Maidstone defence pulled up claiming offside Heale simply strolled into the box and stroked the ball under Walker for two-nil.

On 50 minutes Robbie King broke down the right only to be chopped down by Danny Lye literally inches from the penalty area. Kevin Dobinson’s free-kick floated over the far post but was cleared amongst the hoard of heads.

Maidstone introduced a double substitution on 53 minutes as Simon Glover and Dane Sutton were replaced with Colin Richmond and Dean Grant.

After breaking down Canvey’s left on 66 minutes, Jason Hallett immediately went to ground and stayed down as play continued around him. Danny Heale put the ball out of play and Physio Tony West immediately signalled that Hallett’s Man of the Match participation in this fixture was over.

Maidstone made use of the break to replace Danny Hockton with Tommy Whitnell whilst Canvey introduced Jay Curran to replace Hallett who by now was being carried directly to the treatment room.

Danny Heale almost claimed his second on 79 minutes as Alex Rhodes sent in a great cross from the left. Heale couldn’t quite get enough direction on the ball though and it just clipped his head and rolled across goal to the feet of Frankie Everett. Everett teed the ball up and hit it with the outside of his boot across goal, but his effort was deflected at the last second for a corner.

A minute later a Jay Curran was almost among the scorers too as he connected with Matt Game’s flick-on from close range, but he sent the ball just wide of the post from four yards.

Curran was in amongst the action again on 88 minutes as he broke down Canvey’s left and rounded the fullback on his way to cutting inside the penalty area. Curran was brought down just yards from the goal line though and the Referee didn’t hesitate to point to the spot.

Robbie King stepped up to the mark to smash the ball down the middle of the goal to bring his league goal tally for this campaign into double figures.

With the Maidstone loyal having seen enough and the result well beyond the Stones’ ability of a comeback, Canvey introduced Ellis Skidmore and Jamie Matthews into the fray replacing Danny Heale and Frankie Everett.

In the first minute of three added on Maidstone’s Adrian Stone slipped past the Canvey defence and unleashed an effort that only James Russell will know how he managed to tip up onto the bar and away from danger.

Down the other end, Jay Curran in possession broke through the Maidstone ranks bringing a great save from Walker as he got down low to block Curran’s low, driven effort.

Colin Richmond had Maidstone’s last effort on goal as he came down their right to force a low save from James Russell, diving to his left and clutching the ball safely for another clean sheet on his 100^th appearance for the Gulls.

F/T: Canvey Island 3 - 0 Maidstone United