Canvey Island 1–1 Grays Athletic

From the Prospects Stadium

Ryman Premier Division

 

CANVEY Island were pegged back by another late goal to draw 1-1 with Thurrock rivals Grays Athletic.

The Gulls had taken the lead after yet another goal from on-loan Barnet striker George Sykes only minutes before half-time, but Manny Parry popped up with two minutes to go to hand the visitors a share of the points.

The result comes only days after Danny Heale's side conceded late on at Witham Town.

Both sides came into the match on a decent run of form – Canvey unbeaten in the last six and Grays winning five of the last seven since Mark Bentley took over as manager.

But it was Canvey who started this match on top with Jay Curran, restored to the line-up in place of the injured Enoch Showunmi, leading the line for the Gulls.

Sykes was looking dangerous but Manny Parry and Jay Leader were marshalling the Canvey attackers well.

In fact, it was a first half dominated by defences, with John Easterford also handling the powerful Dumebi Dumaka impressively.

The best chance of the opening exchanges came when Grays full-back Jey Siva sent a delightful ball to the far post, narrowly missed by the marauding Jordan Wilson.

Canvey grew into the game, and it came as no surprise that Sykes was a central figure as the Gulls pushed Grays back.

First, the 20-year-old saw a header cleared off the line by former Southend United man James Stevens and he was denied soon after by Athletic goalkeeper Conor Gough.

But the stopper was helpless to stop the goal when it did come, three minutes before the break.

Mike Jones burst forward and was tripped but, following an excellent advantage by referee Rob Smith, the loose ball fell to Sykes who stroked home the opening goal.

The second half was equally as cagey, with neither goalkeeper called into action until the final 15 minutes.

Manny Parry saw a header drift past Brown’s far post midway through the second half before Stevens’ fierce free-kick brought the best out of Brown, pushing the ball away at his near post.

Canvey had struggled to create anything of note after the break, with their first chance coming with 15 minutes remaining.

Tombides shot wide under pressure from Gough, with Curran also missing the target from a wide left position.

But Grays did score a decisive goal only two minutes from time. A corner from Siva was not cleared and Parry was able to score, via a deflection past Brown.

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

Grays: Gough, Siva, Leader, Parry, Stevens (Bentley), Wilson, Beaney, Dumaka, Nouble (Ferguson), Carlos

 

Other results:

Conference South: Boreham Wood 0-0 Concord Rangers

Ryman Premier: Enfield Town 4-0 Billericay Town, Tonbridge Angels 3-1 East Thurrock United