Blues 1 Canvey Island 1

The curtain came down on the Blues home League programme as both sides shared the spoils in a typical end of season tussle in a match sponsored by EDF Energy. The visiting Seasiders will welcome the point as the go into their final game of the season at home to Wingate and Finchley still needing points to stave off relegation. Blues boss Richard Wilkins’ squad was again devoid of several players with Danny Cunningham suspended and Darren Mills, Leon Ottley-Gooch and John Sands injured with Patrick Brothers only fit for the bench. On his final home game for the Blues Stuart Boardley skippered the side and led out the team who still, mathematically, had an outside shot at the play offs. But it was the Essex side that started the better on a hard pitch with a swirling wind. The visitors claimed two early penalty appeals both turned away by Referee Sannerude. The first effort for the hosts was a speculative lob from Conor Hubble that cleared the bar on 15 minutes. The contest was panning out into a scrappy affair with neither side able to sustain pressure or show enough creativity in the final third to fashion a decent opening. Some good defending from the Blues snuffed out a shot from ex midfielder Jack Simmons and then George Sykes while Mike Jones denied Gareth Heath with a similar well timed block inside the box. Ten minutes from half time the visitors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after a quick counter saw Gareth Heath bring down the marauding Jack Simmons in a sea of legs. After Heath was yellow carded for the trip, Dave Collis drove his free kick into the Blues wall and the danger was averted. With four minutes of the half remaining the hosts opened the scoring with a sublime piece of quality, something that was not in keeping with the first half. Conor Hubble’s diagonal pass from the right picked out the run of Tom Winter whose classy half volley with the outside of his right foot from the left hand side of the box found the bottom left hand corner with Canvey keeper Tim Brown unable to react but just admire. Canvey almost drew level on the stroke of half time but after showing the home defence a clean pair of heels George Sykes effort as he entered the Blues box was straight at Danny Gay who saved well.
Within seconds of the start of the second half the Blues and Tom Winter almost doubled the lead as the lively Winter reached the edge of the box but his shot was brilliantly finger tipped onto his right hand post by Tim Brown. Josh Merritt then flashed a half volley over the bar before a fine run into the box from Joe Francis saw his shot flash across the face of goal as the Blues began to dictate the game. Just after the hour another clever build up from the hosts saw Tom Winter find Gareth Heath who released Joe Francis into the box but his angled drive flashed just wide. Minutes later the Blues were forced to re-shuffle as Blake Saker limped off. Danny Block went up front with Josh Merritt at right back and Tom Winter right midfield. The enforced changes saw the side lose the impetus and on 73 minutes Canvey drew level. Mike Jones well hit long range effort was deflected for a corner that Dave Collis delivered. Danny Gay’s punch from under the bar was then headed back into the danger area where Jack Simmons plundered home the equaliser much to the delight of the travelling contingent behind the goal. Canvey now sensed the game could be turning in their favour and three minutes after his leveller, Simmons drilled a well hit half volley goalwards but fortunately for the Blues it was straight at Danny Gay. Leiston just could not get back into their rhythm while Canvey continued to knock balls into the home box to increase the pressure. But despite an additional four minutes neither side were able to fashion a clear chance to claim all three points.

FT – Blues 1 Canvey Island 1

Blues line up – Gay, Saker (Block 64 mins), Dunbar, Boardley, Jefford, Bullard, Merritt (Brothers 83 mins), Heath, Winter, Hubble, Francis. Subs not used – Nicholls and Rossis.

EDF Energy Man of the Match – Stuart Boardley

Attendance – 183