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AT LAST, THE
MAGIC OK, two goals to nil doesn't look like magic, but the performance, the attempts on goal, the drive and the determination was certainly magic to the fans. The honest truth was, the scoreline should have been four - nil. Naming a man of the match was difficult as everyone was giving 110% and in return, the fans got behind their team. Making his debut in a Canvey shirt was Mark Brennan, signed earlier in the week from Billericay. Although he wasn't entirely responsible for the Canvey transformation, he certainly contributed. Not only did he plug a hole that has been gaping for some time, but he did something not heard at Park Lane for some considerable time - he called the game. He organised the defence, he marshalled the midfield and he encouraged the forwards. Add to this Jeff Minton having one of his best games of the season and it is easy to see why Canvey were able to run the game in the way fans got accustomed to last season. Up front, it was good to see Lee Boylan in the starting line up and he carried on from where he left off last Saturday. He chased everything and created so many openings. The big difference this evening however was that he got the support he needed and most of that support came from top scorer Neil Gregory. He made both goals and was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet himself. The game started off at a cracking pace but it was Harrow who came closest to opening the scoring when, as early as 6 minutes No. 3 Eseyas Yhdego forced a superb save from Danny Potter. Yhdego took the corner himself which in turn led to a Canvey goal line clearance forcing a second corner. This time there was something of a scramble in the 6yd box from which, eventually, the ball was cleared to safety. Not to be outdone, Canvey turned things around and started to push the ball forward into the visitors danger area, mostly aimed at Lee Boylan. Before too long Canvey had won a couple of corners and it was Matt Jones' turn to put the goalkeeper under pressure. The balls kept coming forward and Canvey were forcing some sloppy errors from the tall defence. At this point Canvey couldn't capitalise on these mistakes but at least they were getting through and making chances and goal scoring opportunities. On 14 minutes the first goal came and it involved so many Canvey players, it is quite difficult to describe. Scott Forbes started the movement when he collected the ball just inside the right hand side of the penalty area. He squeezed in a good pass to the 6yd box where Neil Gregory connected, via a deflection and sent the ball goalwards. The ball was cleared off the line (or was it just over) but only as far as Matt Jones who got a shot in but once again it was cleared off the line (or was it over). In the end it was the assistant referee who flagged for a goal but it was not clear whether he was flagging for the first attempt or the second. In the end the decision was made in the press box when it was announced that the goal was 'officially' scored by Matt Jones. Whoever scored the goal, it was a good one and just reward for the pressure Canvey had been creating. Neil Gregory was unlucky on several occasions not to get onto the scoresheet, his worst piece of luck when Pat Gavin completely missed the most simple of clearances, leaving the ball to bounce (quite awkwardly) to Greggers just 10yds out from an empty goal. He couldn't connect and Harrow had yet another let off. In spite of the visitors' back line having a combined height of nearly 20 feet, it was amazing how many times Greggers was able to outjump them to collect the high balls. Just before half-time No. 2 Daniel Dyer gave Potter a scare when he found space to get in a powerful shot that skimmed across the Canvey goal before going just wide for a goal kick Half time Canvey Island 1 Harrow Borough 0 If Canvey were good in the first half, they were even better in the second. They knew they were playing well and with each player adding his own little piece to the game, the ball started to move about and the game started to flow. All this on a pitch that was so heavy and wet from the overnight rain. Lee Boylan was on fire and in spite of some aggressive defending by Harrow, the diminutive striker was causing mayhem, coming close on so many occasions. Canvey were able to mount attack after attack but in spite of their passion, they just could not get the elusive second goal. Karamoko was having difficulty with crosses and found himself flapping at fresh air on more than one occasion. One of Jeff Minton's corners eluded him totally and it was only a goal line clearance that saved the day. If there was doubt over the credit for the first goal, the second was crystal clear. Gregory made a fantastic run into the penalty area from the left flank and kept going, getting closer and closer to the near post. Timing his pass with perfection he slid the ball directly into the path of Jeff Minton who was coming into the area like an express train. He connected perfectly and the bulge in the back of the net told fans that the second goal was in the bag. Steve Parmenter had another try-out and although he was playing a bit too deep, he did cause some problems with some of his runs. He looked sharp and keen. Eventually Neil Gregory ran himself into the ground and was substituted by Bertie Brayley. Just a few minutes before the end of the game Lee Boylan also went off, totally exhausted. Both players had given so much to the game. With about ten minutes to go, the giant known as Jimmy Aggrey came forward to get onto the end of a cross ball some 20yds out. He unleashed a powerful shot that might have been covered by Potter but the ball took a nasty defection and, at that sort of speed, the Canvey keeper was rendered helpless. It was a good goal and, had it come earlier, might have given Harrow some sort of incentive to get back into the game. As it was, Canvey kept possession for much of the remaining time and more importantly, kept the points that take them to 5th in the table - their highest position so far this term. Tonight showed that Canvey can produce the old magic, that the flame that burned so brightly over the past two seasons can be rekindled. The passing game was almost back to normal although the dreadful pitch conditions did their best to spoil the style of play, the players themselves decided they could, and would, rise above it. One tiny criticism. When is Glen going to work on throw-ins with his squad. Without Johnson's long throw I counted on the fingers of one foot the number of times Canvey took a throw tonight and kept possession. On nearly every occasion the thrower, with no yellow shirt to aim for, ended up giving the ball away. Still, this didn't spoil an otherwise exciting and entertaining game. Roll on Purfleet. Match Report by Merv. Teams
Weather Conditions: Dry, cold evening with a waterlogged pitch.
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