Ryman Premier, Kingstonian v Canvey, at Kingsmeadow, 3pm

JOHN Batch said Canvey’s battling win at AFC Hornchurch this week was evidence of the strong team spirit in his side.

The Gulls came through a stern examination at Bridge Avenue on Tuesday night, as Rob King’s second-half howitzer gave them a excellent 2-1 win.

And Batch said it was confirmation that he has got a side in place who can go to any side in the division with the belief they can win.

He said: “It was always going to be a battle.

“You always know what you are going to get with Hornchurch, and that is high balls into the box and not much football.

“But we stood up to that and in the end the game was settled with one passage of quality play which saw us string some good passes together before Rob King came up with a very good finish.”

The result was even more impressive given the key personnel who are unavailable to the Gulls at the moment.

Strikers Jason Hallett and Jay Curran both complete their three match bans against Kingstonian tomorrow.

Batch admits he is down to the “bare bones” at the moment, and that could mean another place in the squad for Akwasi Edusei.

The former Gillingham striker was on the bench against Hornchurch, and impressed in a wide left role in a behind-closed doors match with Chelmsford on Wednesday.

Batch said: “He was injured at the back end of last season, and he still needs to get his match fitness up.

“But he can play on the wing and gives us another option, and that is useful to have.”

Kingstonian are still looking for their first win of the season after an opening-day stalemate at Aveley, and a 4-3 reverse at home to Horsham on Monday.