Canvey Island v Hastings United - Saturday 8th November 2008

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at Park Lane, Canvey Island where today Hastings United visit Canvey”

With seven victories from eight starts, United make the journey to mid table Canvey to test the degree to which the side has improved since the nightmare early start to the season. The most recent success last Saturday saw a thrilling victory at Harrow Borough in driving rain and wind, when United beat the hosts by the odd goal in five. They were helped along the way by a bizarre opening own goal, with Sam Adams and Jack Franklin also getting on the score sheet. Franklin’s winner came minutes from the final whistle. Apart from picking up £3000, Hastings have earned a place at Cambridge which is no mean feat these days. That of course is Cambridge City and not the University.

The team for this afternoon’s encounter virtually picks itself, with defender Nathan Russell still not in contention because of a niggling injury.The rest of the squad is available and the side likely to be unchanged.

Fireworks came early for Canvey last Saturday in their three goal defeat in Essex at Harlow. With two players sent off, and two players injured after all substitutions had been made, Canvey finished with only seven players. A similar outcome this afternoon would be welcomed by the travelling supporters.

Roger Sinden for Saturday Sport at Park Lane, Canvey

Match Report

Canvey Island ( 5 ) Hastings United ( 2 )

Hastings served up a performance which was reminiscent of their early season woes and were taken apart by a direct and lively Canvey side. The writing was on the wall in the first minute when Leon Gordon outpaced the Hastings defence but planted his shot wide of the advancing Greg Nessling and the post. This was only a short reprieve for shell shocked Hastings who were never in the game.

Stuart Ainsley opened the scoring on 11 minutes from the edge of the area when the ball was pulled back from the by line and shortly later the Hastings goal led a charmed life with two shots blocked on the lone as a corner was defended.

The match was secured for Canvey with two quick goals. Leon Antoine’s delicate glancing header on 31 minutes from a free kick and Leon Gordon’s precision finish on 33 minutes gave the home side a three goal lead. A rout was on the cards just before the break when Leon Antoine added his second with a low drive following a break on the right flank, making the score 4-0.

It needed a Roy of the Rovers performance to retrieve anything from this game but a degree of respectability looked possible when Ben White made it 4-1 with a well struck free kick from 20 yards on 65 minutes and Antonio Gonella pulled a further goal back with a header from Zak Attwood’s well placed centre. Comebacks of the required proportion only take place in comic books.

Canvey were always in control, particularly when Jack Franklin was dismissed with a straight red card with 10 minutes to go. Leon Gordon restored a three goal cushion with just two minutes to go when he tucked the ball inside the post to cap an afternoon which should be quickly forgotten.

Roger Sinden at Park Lane Canvey for Saturday Sport