Canvey started today’s game brightly carrying on from where they left off against Harrow Borough during the week but fell behind on 12 minutes to Paul Johnson’s free-kick. Chris Moore had committed a foul for which he was cautioned and Johnson’s set piece fooled the Canvey defensive wall as they jumped over the ball and allowed it to sneak in at James Russell’s near post.

On 16 minutes Canvey were awarded a free-kick twenty-five yards from goal, but Danny Heale’s initial effort was handled right on the edge of the box by Karl Murray. Murray was booked for his part but the follow-up effort was cleared from danger.

Canvey played some excellent football on the deck and as a result equalised on 26 minutes. Debutant Alex Rhodes picked up the ball and made a great central run from the centre-circle. With everyone thinking he was going all the way he unselfishly squared the ball out wide to his left to James Rowe. With Rhodes making space and drawing the defenders away from the ball, Rowe laid the ball back into the path of Danny Heale, who sweetly stroked the ball into the far corner of Craig Ross’ goal from twenty yards.

H/T: Canvey Island 1 – 1 Carshalton Athletic

The second half was exciting with Canvey playing more good football; yet it was efforts on goal were rare. Carshalton received another booking on 52 minutes as Ricardo Joseph’s name was taken by the Referee.

Canvey replaced hard-working Danny Heale with Jason Hallett on 74 minutes and just a minute later James Rowe was denied at Ross’ near post. The rebound fell to Matt Game whose effort was blocked by a defender a yard off the line and Ross collected the loose ball in what was the first of an onslaught of attacks at Carshalton’s goal.

On 78 minutes Alex Rhodes made a strong run down the left, laying the ball off to Jason Hallett ahead of him. Hallett’s square ball was met James Rowe on the six yard line but Rowe’s effort cannoned off the crossbar and bounced back into open play.

Luice Pigden hit the side netting for Carshalton on 81 minutes before the Robins replaced Lloyd Blackman with Paris Downs on 85 minutes.

Canvey substituted Jay Curran with Isa Hussein out wide on the right on 86 minutes, whilst Alex Rhodes almost completed the perfect debut with a goal on 88 minutes. Rhodes’ twenty-two yard free-kick was well struck around the wall, but tipped around the post at the last minute by Craig Ross.

Carshalton came close to stealing all three points when they headed against the post from a corner with 30 seconds of four minutes added on time remaining, but the result remained all square as both Canvey and Carshalton go into their Bank Holiday fixtures still undefeated.

F/T: Canvey Island 1 – 1 Carshalton Athletic