Yellow's Hitchin Report

[YELLOW]

Finally got my phone line fixed so can make up for lost time.

 

On a bitterly cold night, Canvey produced a thoroughly convincing display in beating Hitchin 4-0.

 

Neil Gregory opened the scoring firing home at the far post after a few minutes. A storming run from Kevin Dobinson saw a fine shot but the keeper saved well.

 

Further efforts from Gooden and Minton were saved as Canvey upped the pressure but from a corner, Dave Theobald rose to head home at the near post to extend Canvey's lead.

 

Ty Gooden drifted a free kick wide as Canvey were in total control against a Hitchin side who created very few opportunities.

 

Canvey carried on stamping their authority in the second half and a great piece of skill by the byline by Ty Gooden saw the ball crossed for Neil Midgley to tap home from a few yards.

Neil Gregory struck a first time volley just wide and then bundled his way through but fired just over the bar with the keeper beaten.

 

The scoring was completed when after a Gooden free kick was blocked, Dobbo did superbly to get to the byeline and pull the ball back for sub Steve Parmenter to tuck home.

 

A convincing performance despite Canvey being without Boylan, John Kennedy and Jeff Minton only playing the first half.

 

Ty Gooden and Dobinson certainly caught the eye with storming performances in midfield whilst Junior McDougald making a rare start showed great skill and control and looked lively throughout.

 

This victory takes us 19 points clear at the top of the table.

[YELLOW]

Just noticed the attendance on the official site. 589 for a cold Tuesday night in January is very impressive. Seems the message is finally getting home to the people of Canvey as the attendances for recent games have been pretty good.

[CIFC - Y.A]

Still dont see them going to the "not-so-rated" away games though! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[CANV EFM]

ok a tuesday night trek to park lane is always tough for part timers but hitchin didnt seem to be at the races last night, especially seeing as they turned grays over at the weekend.. mints seemed off the pace at bit, understandably so.. dobbo looked really up for it and parms always gives his best depite warming a bench for so much of the season..

 

 

[CIFC - Y.A]

I agree that Jeff didnt really look his usual self, im sure it'll be back soon. Dobbo had a good game I think, he never seems to get worn out either.. I dunno if it's just my opinion, or is Duffy having another few clueless games? He seems to be passing it to the wrong team, or just getting tackled. Parms definately seemed on-form when he came on though. Ollie didnt seem quite so good as normal, seemed to be losing the ball a lot and struggling to finish it in the back of the net. Still a great team performance last night, and hopefully, we'll be seeing many more this season!

[Merv]

A few thoughts from last night

 

Is it my imagination, or is it getting easier as every game goes by? I know the Hendon game was hard fought, but when you look back over the past 20 games or so, Canvey have not so much been cooking on gas, more like rocket fuel. Last night’s game against recently improved Hitchin was no exception. The scoreline says 4-0 – but it might so easily have been double figures.

 

I appreciate that you don’t count what if’s and nearly’s but had they all gone in last night, for both teams, you might well have been looking at 12-1, because that’s how one-sided the game was. The reason Canvey didn’t get up to a record score was firstly, Richard Wilmot played a stonker between the sticks for the visitors (especially in the first half) and secondly, Neil Gregory, Junior McDougald and Ollie Berquez slipped, mis-hit or completely missed on so many occasions. At the other end, by contrast, Hitchin came close only once, early in the first half when a cross was headed just wide of the far post.

 

Canvey were missing JK and Lee Boylan last night, both being rested in order to get fully fit before Saturday’s trip up north. Jeff Minton only played for half the game and it was good to see Ollie Berquez in the starting line-up. But it seems that the squad is so strong this season and everybody desperate for a place, it doesn’t matter what combination Jeff puts out. In the second half when Mints went off, Ty Gooden took over the mantle of mid-field general and he did the job well. In fact, everybody played well which seems to be the normal operating mode nowadays.

 

What makes Canvey so entertaining to watch and a big reason behind their success is their ability to switch the style of play with consummate ease. Pity the poor scout from Stafford; what was he to make of it? Just as he was looking at his notepad to scribble down that Canvey play an excellent short ball, mostly tippy-tappy stuff between a triangle of players, they changed and started playing the cross ball that flew from left flank to right, via the midfield and then back again. So out came his rubber to change his notes but by now Canvey were playing a long ball, over the top of the defence for McDougald to chase down or for Neil Gregory to lay off for fellow strikers. If he has been watching the last few games, the guy has a tough job. Just who does he warn his manager to watch out for in the Canvey line-up, apart from… everyone! There is no weak link, no chink in the armour. Ty Gooden is reported to have said that, in his opinion, this present squad would more than hold their own in the football league.

 

We all had another great time at the Lane. A night fit to freeze a bollock off, good crowd, great atmosphere and an impressive result. Can it get any better than this?

 

[Basil-Don]

Have to agree with CIFC-YA,I think its time to give Duffy a rest and play Parms.Duffers has been inefective in most games this season,he gives the ball away too easily and delays his crosses to long allowing defenders to block them.Each time Parms has played he has put in 100% and has looked more effective going forward.

It hit home last night just how much we rely on Boylan time and time again balls were put in the middle and we had nobody there to put it in the net I think if he had played hed have scored a hatfull.

[CANV EFM]

i disagree on duffers.. sure he gives the ball away but thats because he is trying stuff on when we are 3 nil up..

also he is a lanky [***!!***] and when we work the lofted crossfield ball he is ideal for the headed knockdown against those short [****!!****] speedy full backs that all 4 4 2 teams have at this level

[CANV EFM]

parms is better playing inside left (for you olduns) rather than left wing back..

also theobald is becoming a real meance in the opposition box from corners and free kicks

[CANV EFM]

menace even..!

[Andy the Marsh Rat]

I agree with you Canv,I think Duffers is really on top of his game,and his new found heading ability is a constant threat

[YELLOW]

Quote:

CIFC - Y.A said:
Still dont see them going to the "not-so-rated" away games though! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Aha caught out! Didn't go to Northwood on Saturday. Going to Stafford this Saturday, weather permitting.