It was five on the bounce for Canvey Island tonight as they ran out 3 – 2 winners against Croydon Athletic. Croydon gave the Gulls a tough game though and the speed and skills of Shabazz Baidoo and Tom Bolarinwa constantly kept Canvey’s rearguard on their toes.

Canvey started the game comfortably in control however and went ahead when Matt Game chased down a fifty-fifty ball that rebounded off of him and fell behind the Croydon backline. Game reached the ball on the edge of the penalty area, moving inside and dragging it back into the path of Danny Heale who hit the ball first time from ten yards under Charlie Mitten and into the back of the net.

Bolarinwa first showed his talent on 13 minutes and he made a run down Croydon’s right hand side, his pace broke through the backline, and just as he was to let fly his shot, Frankie Everett came steaming across the penalty box to get a block in and deflect the ball out for a corner.

Charlie Mitten held well from Chris Moore’s header after he connected with Alex Rhodes’ corner on 14 minutes before Canvey doubled their lead on 21 minutes.

A deep free-kick from Canvey’s right floated in towards the far-post. John Easterford brought the ball under control before crossing it across the face of goal to Rob King, standing on the edge of the six yard box. King hit a low shot that Mitten got down well to claim, but the former Ebbsfleet United custodian palmed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Kieran McCann had a long range effort tipped around the post by James Russell on twenty five minutes and four minutes later the Rams were forced into an early substitution when Kevin Sefaah replaced Jon Cartledge with the latter immediately placing an ice-pack around the back of his thigh upon reaching the dugout.

Some great link-up play down Canvey’s right between Frank Everett and Robbie King resulted in Canvey increasing their lead even further on 34 minutes. Much like Canvey’s first goal, Everett dragged the ball back to King who was unmarked in the centre of the penalty area and again hit a low effort into the far corner.

Croydon immediately replied though when they capitalised on a lapse in concentration and miscommunication. From the restart the ball was worked back to Mitten who sent a long ball, route one. Shabazz Baidoo got behind Canvey’s back-line and latched onto the ball before rounding a static James Russell and placing the ball in the net from four yards.

H/T: Canvey Island 3 - 1 Croydon Athletic

The tempo for the second half was slower and Croydon having scored the one goal already played a slow counter-attacking game utilising the pace of their forwards whenever possible.

Colin Hartburn went on a mazy run on 49 minutes, working his way through both Canvey’s midfield and defence, but his final touch let him down as he placed his shot well wide of Russell’s goal.

Croydon were handed a way back into the game on 53 minutes when Kevin Dobinson conceded a penalty. Hartburn delivered a deep free-kick into the penalty area where Dobinson was judged to have unfairly climbed over Kevin Sefaah. Sefaah was booked for retaliating against Dobinson before Danny Elgar stepped up and placed the ball to Russell’s left. Russell did get a hand to the ball but not enough to divert its direction as it sat in the bottom corner.

Canvey created several chances to increase their lead and put Croydon out of sight but they were let down by the final shot at goal. The first came on 57 minutes when Jay Curran broke free of Croydon’s backline and worked his way into the box; however Curran’s shot was narrowly the wrong side of the post.

A minute later and Curran repeated his run, this time though his shot was blocked by the defender. The ball returned to his feet and from only a yard or two off the goal-line he hooked his effort wide.

Leon Gordon was introduced on the hour with Kevin Dobinson making way before Curran again had the chance to get on the score sheet.

Alex Rhodes broke down Canvey’s left on 67 minutes and delivered a trademark cross to the far post. Curran rushing in hit a first time volley but sent the ball narrowly over the crossbar.

Charlie Mitten denied Curran yet again with fifteen minutes left as he blocked Curran’s low effort with his foot after Curran again got round behind Croydon’s backline.

Croydon replaced Danny Elgar with Lasse Weber on 77 minutes before another Alex Rhodes’ cross on 84 minutes was missed by everyone in front of goal and narrowly avoided Leon Gordon before bouncing out for a goal-kick.

Michael Alaile was introduced into Canvey’s backline for the final three minutes of the match, replacing Danny Heale. Alaile looked solid and did his job well in the brief time he was on the pitch making a crucial interception to clear Canvey’s lines.

Late in stoppage time Chris Moore was booked after an altercation that was spotted by the Assistant Referee on the far side when defending a free-kick. The free-kick resulted in little though and with the ball cleared up field the Referee brought an end to proceedings.

F/T: Canvey Island 3 - 2 Croydon Athletic