Canvey Island 1–2 Maidstone United

From the Prospect Arena

Ryman Premier League

 

CANVEY Island’s New Year woes continued as they went down 2-1 to promotion hopefuls Maidstone United.

Goals in each half from Alex Brown and Matt Bodkin were enough to send the Gulls to an eighth defeat in 10 league matches, with Jack Simmons’ late consolation not enough for the hosts to grab a point.

Canvey were looking to return to winning ways after a poor recent run, but Maidstone were flying high, despite four consecutive draws, and could climb to the summit of the Ryman Premier Division with a win.

And it was the visitors who started the brighter. Former Concord Rangers man Ben Greenhalgh was causing most of the problems, and he forced on loan West Ham United goalkeeper Tim Brown into a save at his near post after only 60 seconds.

Jay Curran, making his first start since November 22, ensured the scores remained goalless after he blocked another Greenhalgh effort on the goal line, while the same man forced Brown into another save with 25 minutes gone.

The Gulls’ best opening came when John Easterford’s powerful header forced Maidstone keeper Lee Worgan to spring acrobatically to his left to keep parity.

But Worgan was beaten when on-loan Southend United youngster Josh Banton who, from right-back, forced Stones’ skipper Steve Watt into a flying defensive block to clear the ball away from danger.

But Stones came roaring back and took a deserved lead moments before the half-time break. A loose defensive header by Kevin Dobinson saw the ball drop to Brown and he crashed home from a tight angle.

Canvey needed a response but were struggling to break down a resilient away defence. And the first chance of the second half, which came with 20 minutes to go, saw the visitors double their advantage.

A burst of speed down the left by Greenhalgh forced Brown into a smart save at the near post, but as the loose ball dropped, Bodkin was there to hit home the loose ball on the volley.

But it was out of nothing that Canvey halved the deficit.

Brilliant work down the right by recent hat-trick hero Taylor Tombides saw him nick the ball off Steve Watt down the right channel and cross for the onrushing Jack Simmons to sidefoot home.

But, despite some late pressure, Canvey couldn’t force an equaliser.

Canvey Island: Brown, Banton, Dumas, Dobinson, Jones (King), Easterford, Curran (Agyakwa), Smith, Showunmi, Tombides, Simmons

Maidstone United: Worgan, Starkey, Mills, Watt, Miles, Rogers, Bodkin (Jordan), Parkinson, Elder, Brown (Piper), Greenhalgh

 

Other results: FA Trophy: Hemel Hempstead Town 3–1 Concord Rangers

Ryman Premier Division: Dulwich Hamlet 2–1 Billericay Town, Harrow Borough 2 –4 East Thurrock United

Ryman One North: Great Wakering Rovers 2–2 Thurrock