Dutch Champions FC Twente put on an exhibition in passing football this afternoon at the Brockwell Stadium, but at times Canvey didn’t always let them have it their own way and certainly never said die despite the full-time score-line.

Canvey, playing three up front and brandishing their new white away kit settled down and played some neat football. James Rowe was linking up well with Danny Heale and on 6 minute, Rowe intercepted a weak pass between the FC Twente defenders but the attack broke down as Rowe was quickly denied any space to let the ball fly. At the other end Tuomas Rannankari fired an effort narrowly across the face of goal and out for a throw in.

Jason Hallett, making up the third striker in Canvey’s attack had an effort deflected over on 9 minutes and two minutes later his header from Danny Heale’s cross was well held by Filip Orsula between the Tukkers’ posts. FC Twente gave Canvey a scare just seconds after though, when a free-kick out on the left by Jules Reimerink narrowly missed the head of onrushing Stefan Thesker.

FC Twente did take the lead on 21 minutes. Falmur Kastrati had made a wonderful run down the left, before cutting inside only for his shot to be parried for a corner by James Russell. The corner was taken short and eventually found Nils Roseler at the far post, who then thundered the ball past Russell.

FC Twente doubled their lead only 60 seconds later as some great passing play wide on the right was centred to Ninos Souriye. Souriye slipped between Canvey’s backline before placing his shot into the corner of the net.

FC Twente’s passing and movement were giving Canvey trouble, especially in midfield. Some lovely 1-2s were being created and one in particular linked the ball between Thomas Bruns to Ola John to Jules Reimerink with Reimerink’s shot going narrowly over the bar.

Greg Cohen made a great run of his own on 26 minutes before firing his shot straight at the Goalkeeper. Danny Heale’s follow-up deflected for a corner as Canvey mounted some pressure.

More passing triangular passes between Reimerink, Bruns and Leon Van Dyk saw another effort go sailing over the bar, this time from Bruns.

Kevin Dobinson had a good effort from a dead-ball situation on 41 minutes as Thijs Bourma handled the ball on the 18 yard line. Dobinson curled his free-kick around Orsula’s defensive wall but the ‘Keeper saw it in time to make a comfortable catch.

Half-Time: Canvey Island 0-2 FC Twente

Several substitutions were made at half-time, Quncy Promes replacing Thomas Bruns for FC Twente and Jay Curran replacing Jason Hallett and Rob Owen coming on for Andrew West for Canvey.

FC Twente went comfortably ahead on 52 minutes though when Flamur Kastrati’s cross-field pass found Ola John and he converted from close range into the roof of the net.

Kevin Dobinson again was unlucky when his header at the far post on 54 minutes was tipped away for a corner. The corner itself was missed by everyone and hurriedly bobbled across the face of goal from only five yards out.

A long-ranged effort from Ninos Souriye was narrowly over the crossbar with James Russell immobile on 59 minutes but on 63 minutes Ashley Dumas’ own goal put FC Twente four-nil up, slicing the ball past James Russell and into his own net whilst intercepting a cross. Souriye had another great chance to score, but he couldn’t connect with Ola John’s cross.

The Tukkers got their fifth with a fantastic effort by Kastrati from outside the penalty area. He latched onto Stefan Thesker’s long ball from deep and let rip from twenty yards left of goal.

With twenty minutes to go a flurry of substitutions broke the game up. Ashley Dumas was replaced by Jamie Matthews whilst FC Twente had Mark Engberink, Sander Van Aken and Jouy Filapessi replace Tuomas Rannankari, Nils Roseler and Leon Van Dyk respectively.

Canvey made a triple substitution of their own on 74 minutes with Kevin Dobinson being replaced by Stuart Batch, Ellis Skidmore on for Danny Heale and Remi Sutton replacing Frankie Everett.

Danny Hamilton replaced Rob King on 81 minutes for Canvey but despite these substitutions the football never stopped entertaining. Both teams never stopped attacking and counter-attacking one another, however unfortunately for those in attendance there were no more goals.

Full-Time: Canvey Island 0-5 FC Twente