Billericay Town 0 Canvey Island 3

Ryman League Premier Division, Monday 31st August 2015

Bank Holiday Monday saw me over at a damp New Lodge for an Essex Derby betweenBillericay Town and Canvey Island.

It’s always been a well contested derby this one and this year it had the added spice of having several ex Blues players in the Canvey squad so making this a feisty affair no doubt and sure enough it didn’t take long for the games first flashpoint when after a challenge in the middle of the park an off the ball incident saw Blues defender Dunne shown a red card which was no the ideal start for the hosts.

The hosts did create the first chance though on 5 minutes as Stamp got down the left and his ball across the six yard box just invaded the incoming Sodje who was a whisker away from connecting. Three minutes later and Canvey’s first effort on goal saw Poole strike just wide from distance and then a minute later a mistake in the Canvey defence saw the ball laid back toDerry whose effort came back of the post and away, it had certainly been a lively start.

On 12 minutes Town’s Hazelwood struck a free kick just over the bar but then moments after this Canvey took the lead when the visitors attacked down the left and the cross found Adenijitotally unmarked and he volleyed into the ground and in far corner to give the Islanders the lead against the ten men of Billericay. Billericay 0 Canvey 1.

This seemed to galvanise the visitors and five minutes later Chatting was left totally unmarked but saw his volley blocked for a corner. It was only a brief let off for the hosts though as from the corner the ball into the six yard box was smashed home by Curran and Canvey had a two goal lead. Billericay 0 Canvey 2.

The visitors were now doing all the pressing and just before the half hour mark Canvey centre half Halle struck just wide from distance and then on the half hour mark Blues forward Sodje put in a poor challenge on a Canvey defender and the visitors wanted a red but it was just a yellow and the predicted feisty game was certainly ringing true.

Just past the half hour mark the ball fell to Canvey’s Adeniji on the edge of the box but he dragged wide of goal but the Islanders were in total control of this contest now. As the clocked ticked over to 45 minutes the hosts almost scored from nowhere when a great early ball in from Stamp saw Derry steer his volley wide of the post and then moments later Canvey should of made it three when they broke from an hosts attack and saw them have a three on one situation but the pass to Adeniji was delayed and he strays offside. Canvey though were in control and led comfortably at the break.

Half Time Billericay Town 0 Canvey Island 2

If the hosts task was difficult enough with ten men it got even more tougher seven minutes into the second half when more ill discipline saw them reduced to nine men. After the hosts had got in down the right through Derry and seen his cross eventually cleared the next bit of action saw Blues full back Williams go into a challenge with Chatting and after this had happened the Blues player lashed out off the ball and was shown an instant red card and gave the Blues the mother of all mountains to climb.

On 55 minutes Eyong twisted and turned on the edge of the Blues area for Canvey before he laid the ball back to Poole whose effort was off target. The hosts won a free kick moments later and saw the ball kicked away by a visiting player which added to the frustration of the Blues management and players as it had certainly not been there day so far.

Canvey should of made it three just past the hour mark when Substitute Pitty put in a good cross from the right and found the head of Halle who could only head straight at hosts keeper Giddens who was grateful for that as either side of him would of certainly been a goal. The hosts won a free kick in a decent position on 66 minutes as they desperately tried to get back into the contest but Hubbles free kick hit the wall and was cleared, summing up the hosts day.

Canvey though were still well in control of the match and with fifteen minutes left a cross from Canvey full back Dumas almost went straight in but flew just over the bar before the hosts saw another decision go against them moments later in the Canvey box and certainly felt hard done by, showing more frustration towards the referee perhaps feeling that he hadn’t given them much all day, but the referee to his credit got most things right overall.

The Blues to their credit kept trying to attack and on 78 minutes full back Stephenson sent in a cross which almost caught out Canvey keeper Gough who managed to palm the ball over the bar but Canvey were always able to deal with whatever the hosts tried to throw at them fairly easily. With two minutes left another attack from the hosts saw them win another free kick in a decent position but yet again they hit the wall in what was another waste of a good position. To be fair to the hosts they had battled well with nine men though.

In stoppage time and good work down the left saw the ball squared to Eyong whose effort went straight at hosts keeper Giddens but then moments later Eyong went on a run into the box and squared for Curran to tap home from close range and seal the points for the visitors and cap a superb away performance. Billericay 0 Canvey 3.

The referee blew for full time soon after and put the hosts out of their misery after what can only be described as a poor day for the Blues in more than one aspect. For Canvey though a derby win which is always a nice thing to gain and gives them bragging rights over their rivals for a few months at least.

Full Time Billericay Town 0 Canvey Island 3

Billericay Town: 1.Giddens, 2.Williams, 3.Stephenson, 4.Dunne, 5.Ellul, 6.Beavan (c), 7.Hazelwood, 8.Hubble, 9.Derry, 10.Sodje, 11.Stamp.
Subs: 12.Edwards, 14.Kharshiladze, 15.Manor, 16.Nesbitt, 17.Baker.

Canvey Island: 1.Gough, 2.Sheehan, 3.Dumas, 4.Eyong, 5.Halle (c), 6.Yiga, 7.Adeniji, 8.Poole, 9.Curran, 10.Tuohy, 11.Chatting.
Subs: 12.Agyakwa, 14.Easterford, 15.Pitty, 16.Lawson, 17.Mosanya.

Att 471