Cheshunt 3-3 Canvey Island

(Hallett 54’, Cheeks 60’, Summers 70’: Sykes 3’, Walker 81’, Dumas 90’)

From The Stadium

Isthmian North

CANVEY Island scored an injury-time equaliser to salvage a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Cheshunt.

The Gulls should have wrapped up victory in the first 50 minutes, missing a host of chances after George Sykes put Danny Heale’s side ahead.

But three goals in 15 minutes turned the game on its head before the late drama, with Ashley Dumas grabbing the crucial leveller.

Both teams had suffered tricky starts to the season, and were still looking for a first win.

And it was Canvey that showed no signs of tentativeness early on against fellow strugglers Cheshunt.

After three minutes, Sykes picked up a quick free-kick and placed his shot well into the corner.

Canvey were much the brighter, and almost doubled their advantage 10 minutes later – former Cheshunt striker David Knight only halted by a terrific save from James May.

But Henry Newcombe was soon to be employed in the away goal. The stopper did well to turn a Johnny Ashman strike over the crossbar.

Jerrome Sobers headed wide for Canvey, with George Craddock the next to see an effort blocked away.

Canvey were frustrated that Cheshunt’s Tom Bruno went unpunished for what appeared to be a two-footed tackle on Jake Pitty.

Steve Sheehan hit the post early in the second-half, as Canvey looked to kill the game off but their profligacy in front of goal came back to bite them.

Hallett levelled 10 minutes after the restart, picking up a ball over the top and flicking audaciously beyond Newcombe.

Ashman shot wide before Cheshunt moved ahead. Billericay loanee Daniel Cheema drilled into the corner to make it 2-1, with Mark Summers adding a third with 20 minutes to play.

Cheema crashed a strike off the bar as the teenager continued to cause problems, but Canvey gave themselves a life-line in the final 10 minutes.

James Walker pulled one back before Dumas was left to level, bundling home from close range.

Walker and Dumas both had chances to win it late on but it was honours even come the final whistle.

Canvey Island: Newcombe, Pitty, Dumas, Levett, Sheehan, Sobers, Gilbey, Craddock (Collins 81’), Sykes, Knight (Griffiths 76’), Nesbitt