VCD Athletic 2-2 Canvey Island

From Old Road

Ryman Premier Division

 

CANVEY Island conceded two late goals to draw 2-2 with fellow strugglers VCD Athletic.

The Gulls had taken a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Steven Smith, his first for the club, and captain Jay Curran.

But, following a Dave Collis red card, two goals in the space of two minutes put paid to Canvey’s hopes of winning their first game in almost six weeks.

Danny Heale’s men started the match brightly, although the first save came from Tim Brown as he tipped a Mikhail Kennedy effort around the post.

But, with 13 minutes on the clock, Canvey broke the deadlock. Former Arsenal trainee Smith met a deep corner to the far post by Collis and he headed home.

VCD responded well and Aaron Jeffrey shot wide before Kennedy saw a free-kick pushed away by Brown.

Curran headed wide as Canvey looked to add to their advantage before the break, with Taylor Tombides shot over when he should have hit the target.

James Duckworth missed a golden chance to equalise when the goal was gaping and the Gulls struck again moments later.

Simmons and Tombides combined with the latter crossing home for Curran to tap in.

Into the second-half, Canvey’s hopes of retaining the lead were dealt a big blow when Collis was red carded after fouling the last man.

VCD pressed although Canvey still looked dangerous, with Tombides denied what appeared to be a penalty when he fell in the box under pressure from a defender.

But VCD rallied and scored their first of the afternoon with 12 minutes remaining. Leigh Bremner headed home after some fine wing play before Kennedy did finally beat Brown seconds later, to bring parity.

Tombides was denied by home goalkeeper Nick Blue as Canvey pushed for a late winner but it wasn’t forthcoming and the points were shared.

Canvey Island: Brown, Collis, Carter, Jones, Banton, Easterford, Simmons, Smith (Barlow), Curran (Sykes), Tombides, Dumas