Canvey Island went into this afternoon’s fixture at the Brockwell Stadium determined to prove that their disappointing showing against Wealdstone midweek was just a blip in their bid to secure a playoff spot.

Alex Rhodes gave Canvey an almost perfect start after just 80 seconds, but he couldn’t keep his 30 yard free-kick down and it sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Danny Heale had the ball in the net for Canvey on 18 minutes, but he was judged to have been offside when he pounced on the loose ball after Jack Delo had failed to hold onto Jay Curran’s initial shot from just inside the penalty area.

Folkestone’s Liam Friend was the first in the Referee’s book on 22 minutes after a high challenge on Matt Game but by this time Canvey was totally in control of the game.

Folkestone having little to show for their selves couldn’t contain Ashley Dumas coming forward at every opportunity and linking up with the always impressive Alex Rhodes.

Hussein Isa, starting his first league game for the club on the right wing was also making light work of the Ambers’ defence whilst Robbie King and Matt Game were in total control of the middle of the park.

On the rare occasion that Folkestone did break into Canvey’s half, John Easterford was again in powerful form clearing his lines and communicating well with James Russell between the sticks.

Up front Danny Heale and Jay Curran were teaming well together and constantly looked threatening with Delo often panicked whenever a defender’s back pass was chased down.

In first-half stoppage time Josh Vincent was Folkestone’s second player to be cautioned and Canvey went into the break amazed that the scores were still level despite all their possession.

H/T: Canvey Island 0 – 0 Folkestone Invicta

The second half was a bit more subdued and the tempo had dropped slightly. Canvey were still in control of the game for long periods but Folkestone had found their legs and were quicker at closing the Gulls down during this half.

Danny Heale was Canvey’s first caution of the afternoon on 57 minutes and a minute later Frankie Chappell had a great chance to put Folkestone ahead. He latched onto a free-kick from the left at the far-post but he directed his free header narrowly wide of the post.

Canvey’s goal finally came on 64 minutes though thanks to some lovely pass a move play in Canvey’s midfield.

Matt Game lobbed the ball over the Folkestone defence where Hussein Isa had beaten the offside trap on the left and gratefully received the ball before making his way into the box and letting fly a shot from ten yards that Delo could only help into the net.

This goal reignited Canvey’s attacking flair and on 66 minutes Ashley Dumas’ low cross from the left was almost turned into his own net by James Everitt, but for the ball to hit Delo’s legs and be collected by the ‘Keeper.

In an attempt to better his goal midweek, Alex Rhodes left fly a 40 yard volley on 77 minutes that Delo tipped onto the inside of the post. The ball bounced down onto the goal-line before rolling along the face of the goal and past the outside of the other post for a corner. Had it gone in off the post, Rhodes would have laid claim to having scored two goal of the season contenders within a week.

Folkestone replaced Josh Burchell with Luke Webb on 78 minutes before James Russell performed a classy reflex save on 81 minutes, getting down low to deny Folkestone an equaliser.

Peter Williams replaced Josh Vincent on 82 minutes as Folkestone’s second substitution of the game, followed by Hussein Isa being added to Canvey’s injury woes as he limped off to be replaced by Jason Hallett just a minute later.

Hallett should’ve doubled Canvey’s lead in stoppage time when he connected with Jay Curran’s fine cross, but Hallett could only direct his header wide when it looked easier to score.

Folkestone weren’t out of it yet and in the 93^rd minute James Russell tipped a long range effort around the post, with Folkestone throwing everyone forward including Delo. The corner was only half cleared, but the ball eventually fell to Curran who aimed his shot towards goal with Delo backtracking, but Delo saw the ball comfortably wide as the Referee signalled and end to proceedings.

F/T: Canvey Island 1 – 0 Folkestone Invicta