Kingstonian ended Canvey Island’s unbeaten run and took all three points back to Kingsmeadow after some excellent goalkeeping and resilient defending kept a dominant Canvey at bay.

With James Rowe having left the Club, Jason Hallett lead Canvey’s attack with Danny Heale playing deeper behind him but neither could escape the always impressive Tobi Jinadu, who has a knack for putting in great performances against the Gulls.

It was fellow defender Max Hustwick who put the K’s ahead on 11 minutes as he flicked Matt Gray’s left-wing free-kick past Canvey custodian James Russell.

The goal was a shock to Canvey’s system, who was finding it difficult to break into Kingstonian’s final third despite Alex Rhodes, Ashley Dumas and Frank Everett having plenty of space out wide.

Dumas was particularly impressive for the Gulls today, getting forward at ample opportunities and continuing his excellent link-up with Rhodes.

Matt Gray received a booking on 15 minutes for hefty and late challenge on Danny Heale and it was only due to the reflexes of Rob Tolfrey that he managed to superbly to tip away Heale’s free-kick.

On 28 minutes Alex Rhodes and Dean Hamlin each had their name taken after an off the ball scuffle resulted in hand-bags and each player having to be calmed by their respective Captains. By this time Adam Thompson was lucky not to be booked for his constant surrounding and bickering with the Referee at every incident.

By this point Canvey had upped their tempo and looked the more threatening side. Ashley Dumas’s effort from the edge of the area soared over the cross-bar whilst Rhodes was making light work of Hamlin, to get his crosses into the area, where Jinadu and Hustwick cleared them largely unchallenged.

From Matt Game’s corner, Chris Moore headed a great effort at the far post into the side-netting during stoppage time. The break came at the wrong time for Canvey as they looked sure to score with every attack they were attempting.

H/T: Canvey Island 0 - 1 Kingstonian

Canvey continued their momentum into the second half and just three minutes in, Robbie King was extremely unlucky not to see his half-volley break the net, but for Adam Thompson defending on the goal-line at the right time.

Matt Game was pushing the ball about beautifully, aided by the slippery conditions as Canvey were totally in control of the game, however disaster struck on 52 minutes in the form of Kingstonian adding their second goal against the run of play.

A long clearance from Tolfrey skipped the majority of the players, before bouncing awkwardly in front of Steve Ward. Ward’s failure to intercept the long-ball saw Bobby Traynor snatch the ball past Canvey’s backline, before his low effort past James Russell and into the bottom corner.

Jason Hallett hobbled off before the restart, replaced by Leon Gordon, with Jay Curran moving to take up the lone Striker role.

With half an hour to go, Carl Wilson-Denis who had spent as much time on the floor complaining to the Referee as he did on his feet was replaced by Gomez Dali.

On 75 minutes Jean Sylvain Dossou was judged to have been fouled by Danny Heale on the edge of his own penalty area. Heale pleaded his innocence to the Referee before Jay Curran had a few words to say to Sylvain Dossou feigning injury. Those words incensed Sylvain Dossou as he jumped to his feet and attempted to grab Curran around the throat. He was rightly shown a straight red-card for raising his hands with Curran also booked for his part.

Canvey went 3-4-3 for the final ten minute with Isa Hussein replacing Frankie Everett, pushing Leon Gordon up front to join Curran and Heale.

For the final five minutes Canvey pressed greater than ever with Alex Rhodes forcing another good stop from Tolfrey before a K’s double substitution of Sam Clayton for Tobi Jinadu and David Hutton for Bobby Traynor.

Tolfrey prevented Canvey again, this time denying Danny Heale; tipping his long-range effort over the bar. The Referee wisely added on four minutes of stoppage time but Canvey, despite their efforts couldn’t collect the consolation goal they deserved.

F/T: Canvey Island 0 - 2 Kingstonian