Canvey Island 3–2 Wingate & Finchley

From the Prospects Stadium

Ryman Premier League

 

CANVEY Island came from two goals down to claim a fine victory against Wingate & Finchley and secure their future in the Ryman Premier League.

At two-goals down, and with other sides at the bottom winning Canvey were in the relegation places at half-time. But Danny Heale’s team-talk worked and two goals immediately after the break from the hosts meant the game was turned on its head.

Goals from Steven Smith, Jack Simmons and Harrison Chatting ensured their safety.

The situation was quite clear for Canvey. Don’t lose the match. A win would secure safety while a draw would be enough due to their superior goal difference.

With three sides below them looking to pip Canvey to safety, the match promised to be a nervous encounter, and it looked desperate with 33 minutes on the clock.

Having failed to start well, Canvey were made to pay after a sloppy piece of defending allowed in David Knight down the right.

With acres of space the striker looked up and picked out a measured pass that was missed by Rob Laney but not by Karl Oliyide – the striker side-footing home.

David Knight missed a golden chance to double the lead as he shot over the bar when in the clear and John Easterford saw a far-post header clawed away by Jack Metcalf in the away goal.

But the next goal came when Canvey were caught on the counter once again.

Harrison Georgiou tricked his way past Ashley Dumas and crossed beyond Josh Banton and Laney curled beyond Brown.

2-0 down, the Gulls needed something in a bid to give them a lift. And it came two minutes after Wingate had doubled their lead.

A free-kick was swung in by Dave Collis from the left and Smith rose to head past Jack Metcalf.

The goal came at a vital time and gave the Gulls renewed hope heading into the second half.

But with Peacehaven & Telscombe winning at half-time, Canvey had dropped into the bottom four for the first time all season.

But some well chosen words from Danny Heale appeared to have the desired impact, with the Gulls starting well.

Mike Jones had a goal controversially ruled out for offside, to the frustration of the home crowd, but that was short-lived as Canvey grabbed a leveller.

A header across the box found the run of Jack Simmons and he hit into the floor and beyond the dive of Metcalf.

Six minutes later, the game had been turned on its head. A run down the left from Josh Banton saw him cut inside and pick out a fine cross that was bundled into Chatting’s path, and he prodded home.

The goal coincided with Peacehaven falling behind but the Gulls weren’t content to rest on their laurels.

Simmons came close once again but the second half was largely played without incident, and Canvey went onto secure what was a comfortable win in the end.

 

Canvey Island: Tim Brown, Dave Collis, Ashley Dumas, Mike Jones, Josh Banton, Josh Easterford, Charlie Barlow (Jake Pitty), Steven Smith (Kevin Dobinson), Enoch Showunmi (Marlon Agyakwa), Harrison Chatting, Jack Simmons

Wingate & Finchley: Jack Metcalf, Mark Goodman, Orlando Joao, Ola Sogbanmu (Sharpe), Cody Rowe, Ahmat Rifat, David Knight, Tommy Tejan-Sie, Rob Laney, Harrison Georgiou (Nzau), Karl Oliyide