Previously undefeated Bury Town succumbed to a 3-nil defeat at the Brockwell Stadium this evening, wasting their opportunities in many instances and failing to withstand attacks from Canvey’s ferocious forwards.

Both Bury and Canvey played the passing game well and in doing so created ample opportunities throughout the high tempo fixture. It was Bury who very nearly got off the mark first after only 3 minutes, but Sam Reed fired his warning shot across the face of goal.

Frankie Everett had Canvey’s best effort in the early stages; his far post header from a corner was blocked on the line at the 10 minute mark.

On 19 minutes powerhouse Jason Hallett very nearly scored when he charged down Bury ‘Keeper Marcus Garnham and deflected the ball into the side netting from just inside the penalty area.

Hallett did get his name on the score-sheet on 24 minutes when he met a direct flick-on and found himself one-on-one with Garnham as well as being chased down by a defender. Hallett did superb to hold the defender off and stroke the ball under Garnham into the net.

Bury’s Roscoe Hipperson was lucky not to put past his own ‘Keeper on 25 minutes as Alex Rhodes fired a cross low and hard into the six-yard box with the ball becoming entangled under Hipperson’s legs.

On 30 minutes a poor clearance from Canvey’s backline allowed Bury in with another scoring opportunity but they were unlucky and hit the woodwork. Canvey escaped again two minutes later as a low cross from the right by Bury wasn’t met by anyone and it rolled across the goal with only a tap in required to bring them level.

Michael Steward was booked for the visitors on 39 minutes and two minutes later he was lucky not to be shown a second yellow, which resulted in Danny Heale’s 20 yard free-kick skimming past the near post.

Rhodes forced a great save from Garnham on 42 minutes when he rifled a half volley from 25 yards towards goal with only Garnham’s fingertips tipping the ball over for a corner and denying the winger.

H/T: Canvey Island 1 – 0 Bury Town

Canvey were out of the blocks again quickly after the break and some lovely footwork from Danny Heale set up Jason Hallett on 48 minutes. Hallett’s header was deflected by a defender though and out for a corner.

Frankie Everett was Canvey’s first booking on 54 minutes and on 57 minutes Sam Nunn could’ve counted himself incredibly lucky to receive only a yellow card when he brought down Jason Hallett about two yards inside the penalty area. Up stepped Robbie King to place the spot kick past Garnham and double Canvey’s lead.

Danny Heale brought out a brilliant one-armed reflex save from Garnham on 63 minutes as Heale thundered a header at goal from Alex Rhodes’ cross.

Bury made a double substitution with 20 minutes remaining replacing Mark Coulson and Michael Steward with Callum Kearns and Ashley Scoots. Two minutes later Lee Reed replaced Chris Henderson as Bury completed their tally of substitutions in an effort to get something out of this game.

Kevin Dobinson received a caution on 79 minutes and on 83 minutes Canvey’s man of the match Jason Hallett was replaced by Jay Curran.

Sam Reed had another attempt to reduce the deficit on 84 minutes but James Russell made an outstanding block to keep it at 2 – 0.

Matt Game was booked for Canvey on 86 minutes before a short clearance fell to Danny Heale who played a beautiful looping pass to the feet of Alex Rhodes on 88 minutes. Rhodes charged down on goal and with the defenders backing away, he unleashed a low ball straight past Garnham into the far corner.

Sam Reed sent a free-kick just outside the penalty area out the ground deep into injury time as final justification as to how poor finishing from Bury on the night brought their impressive run to an end and tonight’s thrilling fixture to a close.

F/T: Canvey Island 3 – 0 Bury Town