Heybridge - Merv's thoughts

[Merv]

It’s a funny ol’ game! The problem with a cliché like that is, because the phrase is so hackneyed and well used, it tends to be disregarded. But today, cliché or not, was ‘a funny ol’ game.’ Canvey played supremely well and the scoreline of 4-1 confirms this. But everyone sensed that there was so much more in reserve; especially in the second half. It might have been so much more. It could have been double figures. How can a team dominate so strongly and yet only win by three clear goals? Why do so many Canvey fans feel cheated if they see less than seven or eight goals? It’s a funny ol’ game.

 

Jeff King was forced to play this one without Steve Ward at the back or Ty Gooden in the middle. Also missing from the starting line-up was regular defensive stalwart Ben Chenery. Even so, the game got off to a cracking pace and Canvey made several early attempts on James Pullen’s goal, sometimes testing his handling to the embarrassment of team-mates and home fans alike. It was top scorer and golden boot extra-ordinaire Lee Boylan who got the visitors off the mark after 15 minutes, quickly followed by a cracker from in-form Chris Duffy before, eventually, Boyly grabbed a third just before half time. Daryl Bourgeois sneaked one back for Swifts from a set-piece but, truth is, Heybridge were rather lucky to be on the scoresheet at all, so few were their realistic attempts on Danny Potter’s goal.

 

With Canvey going in at half-time with a lead of 3-1, Yellow Army fans were expecting even greater things in the second half but, just like last week against Maidenhead, the second half turned out to be something of a disappointment for goal aficionados. But for those of us who simply love good, entertaining and dominant football, it was a veritable feast. Whereas the first half saw a goal differential strongly in Canvey’s favour, the single goal difference of the second half might have sent out the wrong message. Believe me, it wasn’t a close second half, it wasn’t down to bad luck or narrow escapes – it was a rout, a drubbing, a mullering. Substitute Junior slotted home the only goal of the half... and I loved it.

 

Great atmosphere, especially in the second half and loads of laughs. None more so than Swifts No. 7 Jonny Buffong who took so many really bad leg injuries that few of us thought he would ever walk again. The pain and anguish on his face every time he went down (which was almost every time he was tackled) would have had even the hardest of A&E medics wincing. But the Heybridge trainer obviously worked some amazing miracles that would put Jesus’ work with Lazarus to shame. Result? The Oscar nominated defender managed to run around for the rest of the game unscathed. Truly miraculous.

 

Good bar, good food but surprisingly no Herr Obergreupenfurher in the car park this year to park all the cars in the same corner so they can’t get out. They ran out of programmes at 2:30 which I find surprising. Did they not expect a crowd of 574 in a local derby??? Home fans rather quiet but, in fairness, they may have been drowned out by that bloody trumpet.

 

 

[Phil Old Boy]

It's just like watching Brazil!

 

Yes, jingle bells may sound okay come December with all this practice by Fred.

 

Early on, I thought it was going to be more of a lottery due to the state of the pitch. Just a normal pass along the floor sent the ball up in the air by it hitting tufts of grass. Their keeper gave a corner away when he completely miss kicked a straight forward back pass due to the ground.

 

Thought that Gavin was a rock again at the back. He got anotehr smack in the face just like the other week. Buzz's pace got us out of trouble on a couple of occasions. His distribution was a bit poor at times but must put this down to the lack of games. Greggors was winning all the headers in the first half and surprised he did not come out in the second half. May read the reasons why off the official site in a minute.

 

That title can't be that far away now especially as the others are not taking maximum points.

[CANV EFM]

great save from potter at 3-1 from a well worked move by heybridge, not that he knew much about it .. good performance from the yellow army in the second half after the hailstorm had bunched you all under the covered terrace..

[YELLOW]

A good laugh today. Food wasn't too bad. I had a bacon cheese burger and it tasted OK.

 

As for the game itself it was a real stroll in the park. Apart from Heybridge scoring a sloppy goal to bring the scores level we always had control of the match.

 

Great finish from Lee for his first goal and the build up from Greggors and Boylan to put Duffers through to score was excellent.

 

Best goal of the game was Junior's. The movement and passing was lightening quick and Junior's finish superb. Lee was unlucky not to get a hattrick with that one that hit the bar near the end.

 

You always felt we played that game in second gear and when we needed to raised it up a notch.

 

Good atmosphere in the second half with plenty of singing and hope to see more of the same for Grays on Tuesday night. Now that will be a tough game!

[cangull]

Neil Gregory picked up a Dead Leg on the Thigh in the first half, looked to be well tender, I would have thought that was the reason why he did not appear in the second.