CIFC Reserves v Baldock Town (19/8/00)

Essex & Herts Border Combination League
Saturday 19th August 2000
Baldock Town	1 - 2	Canvey Island
80'	H/T 0 - 0	Short 70' Bright 85'

The reserves had the longest trip of the season in their opening game with a long trip to Baldock town. With the hot & sunny conditions not the best for football Canvey settled into the game quicker than their opponents and their first chance came in the 8th minute, a superb right wing cross from Paul Whipps was met by Nathan Collins but he could only manage to shoot over under pressure. Baldock were forced into a 13th minute substitution when their centre half was injured after a tackle by Liam Bright and an extremely late challenge 7 minutes later by Rod Hall earned him the first booking of the season. Canvey’s best chance of the first half came after 23 mins courtesy of a glorious cross from Rod Hall but Nathan Collins' volley struck the crossbar. One minute later Liam Bright failed to find the target after a good run down the right. 3 more chances fell to bright in the first half , two of which went wide and the other found the goalkeepers chest after a one on one situation.

The second half started as the first ended with Canvey dominant a Tim Rugg effort being tipped over was the first chance. Baldock had a chance after 65 mins but didn’t cause too much concern to keeper Brad King. After 65 mins Canvey introduced Wayne Purser to the action for Chris Elms who had worked hard in the heat and after 60 secs Purser should have scored when going clean through but at the crucial moment miscontrolled and the keeper gladly gathered. Another substitution minutes later saw John Hayford replace Tim Rugg and Canvey were soon in front. A great swinging free kick from Paul King was met by Danny Short whose side footed volley found an empty net after the goalkeeper had misjudged the cross.

Canvey kept the lead for about 10 mins when a mix up in the box led to Baldock grabbing an equaliser which frankly was not deserved. Another bright chance went begging shortly after before he got his reward with a well taken winner . A great Peter Elsworth cross was picked up by Bright just before the onrushing keeper and after knocking it around him had an empty net to roll in the winner in the 85th min.

All in all it was not a bad Canvey performance in the difficult conditions, but the finishing will have to be sharper against some of the better sides. Paul Whipps and Kevin Lee were probably the two best performers on the day. Heybridge are the visitors to Park Lane next and will provide a much harder test than we were faced with today.

Team

Canvey - B.King, Hall, Elsworth, Whipps, P.King, Lee, Short, Rugg (Hayford), Elms (Purser), Bright, Collins. Sub not used : Rees

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