Despite much possession Canvey Island made hard work of their FA Cup fixture this afternoon.

Canvey undid themselves by lowering to Whitstable’s level of play, reverting to the long ball style and seemingly losing the wonderful creative football that saw them unlock Bury Town during the week.

Whitstable started as they meant to go on with Dan Wiske receiving an early caution. Dave Cory will kick himself that he didn’t put Whitstable ahead after only 8 minutes as James Russell’s parry landed at his feet, but Wiske dawdled and his effort was blocked for a corner.

On 16 minutes Matt Game sent a great cross into the penalty area for Kevin Dobinson to lay off to Danny Heale, but Heale struck his effort narrowly over the bar.

Whitstable Captain Louis Smith was forced off after only 22 minutes with a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Wayne Fittle.

Jason Hallett picked up a yellow card on 40 minutes before Canvey should’ve been ahead three minutes later through Chris Moore. From a Matt Game’s corner, Moore’s header was deemed not to have crossed the line by the Referee when thwarted away by Steve Lloyd who was clearly standing behind the goal-line.

Deep into first half stoppage time Matt Game’s corner fooled everyone and hit the crossbar before being cleared away. With Canvey playing the long ball, they were failing to find their forwards at most attempts and the impressive Steve Lloyd was winning everything in the air at the heart of Whitstable’s defence.

H/T: Canvey Island 0 – 0 Whitstable Town

Canvey began the second half with more purpose and used the width well, stretching Whitstable across the pitch. Gareth Cornhill was booked for the visitors on 46 minutes, before Alex Rhodes sent an effort over the cross bar on 52 minutes after again linking up well with Ashley Dumas down the left.

Lloyd did well not to put past his own ‘Keeper shortly after, when Rhodes’ low cross caught Lloyd and flew past the near post for a corner.

Rhodes created another chance on 56 minutes; cutting inside and firing the effort straight at Kevin Fewell. Fewell failed to hold onto the ball, but he remained unpunished as Jason Hallett’s rebound was weak and easily collected.

Cornhill was shown his second yellow card on 63 minutes after pulling back Jason Hallett when Hallett broke down the right. There were no arguments about the sending off and Whitstable had now lost two of the original back four that started the game.

Jay Curran replaced Kevin Dobinson on 64 minutes and this change invigorated Canvey’s tempo as they took the game to Whitstable for the final twenty-five minutes with Robbie King hitting over from twenty-five yards on 67 minutes.

Curran’s impact was immediate and Canvey were denied a penalty on 70 minutes when Curran was clattered to the floor by Fittle after Curran had knocked the ball past him. Curran was cautioned himself for a tackle on Scott Heard on 73 minutes as he made a heavy challenge from behind at the by-line.

Fewell did well to deny Hallett on 78 minutes; closing down the space and blocking the shot with his legs when Hallett was put through one-on-one despite defenders chasing him down.

Leon Gordon replaced Frankie Everett with eleven minutes remaining as Canvey switched to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation.

Ten minutes remained when Jason Hallett headed over from Alex Rhodes’ corner before Rhodes finally converted on 85 minutes. Jay Curran knocked a header down to Danny Heale on the edge of the centre-circle with Heale threading the ball through to Rhodes. Rhodes smashed the ball home on the volley leaving Fewell with no chance at his near post.

Before the restart Canvey reverted back to 4-4-2 with Andrew West replacing Danny Heale and two minutes later Whitstable attempted to make up for all their time-wasting throughout the game as they threw on forward Stuart Vahid for defender Adam Douglas.

Their search for an equaliser came in the form of Vahid’s incredibly weak effort that was easily collected by James Russell with two minutes of normal time remaining.

On 90 minutes, Jon Easterford starting his first game for Canvey was almost rewarded for his fine performance but he headed straight at Fewell from Ashley Dumas’ cross.

Canvey’s final attack of the game came in the third minute of stoppage time and it was Alex Rhodes again trying to emulate his first goal as he hit another volley from the edge of the area that was tipped onto the crossbar and away for a corner.

From the corner, Canvey played the ball at the touchline between Hallett and Game as they ran the clock down much to the relief of the Yellow Army.

F/T: Canvey Island 1 – 0 Whitstable Town