Canvey Island 1-0 Billericay Town

From the Prospects Stadium

Ryman Premier League

 

CANVEY Island gave their survival hopes a massive shot in the arm as they defeated Billericay Town, while dealing what could be a decisive blow to their opponents’ play-off surge.

It was an own goal that proved decisive in the encounter, with former Canvey man Steve Sheehan shooting past his own goalkeeper three minutes into the second-half in what was a miserable day for the visitors.

Both Ryan Scott, after only five minutes, and Jack Edwards, in the dying moments, were sent off for Craig Edwards’ team to leave their chances of making the play-offs hanging by a thread.

Canvey handed former Billericay Town and Grays Athletic goalkeeper Jake Larkins a start in place of the absent Tim Brown and he kept a clean sheet for the Gulls, their first since their last win at Dulwich Hamlet nine games ago.

The game started quickly and it was the hosts that made the early running, with George Sykes bearing down on goal after a mistake from make-shift centre-back Ricky Sappleton and Scott brought him down.

This was after only five minutes and although the consequent free-kick was wasted neither, the game was Canvey’s to lose.

However, the next chance that came dropped to Billericay, as a header cannoned back of the woodwork with Sheehan’s follow-up gratefully clutched by Larkins.

Back came the Gulls, with Jay Curran denied by the Ross Kitteridge, making his second consecutive start in place of the injured Joe Wright.

Larkins denied Rowan Liburd before the goalkeeper was needed again to keep out Affy Obafemi.

Town were impressing with their 10 men, but could have gone in at half-time in arrears after Steve Smith rattled the crossbar, and Enoch Showunmi was denied by Kitteridge.

An incident packed first-half was matched in the second period with the only goal coming shortly after the game resumed.

Ashley Dumas’ cross was heading towards Showunmi when Sheehan lunged and could only divert the ball past his own keeper.

Sykes sent a header wide after more good work from Dumas, with Town starting to feel the exertions of player a man light.

Substitute Harry Baker did test Larkins from the edge of the box but this was their only real chance of the second period.

To add insult to injury, Edwards was dismissed in the dying embers in what appeared a harsh decision.

The result moves Canvey seven points clear of the relegation places with five games to play.

Town are seven points off fifth-place, although have two games in hand on many of the sides above them.

*Billericay host Kingstonian on Monday in the Ryman Premier League. Kick-off at New Lodge is at 7:45pm.

 

Canvey Island: Larkins, Dobinson, Dumas, Smith, Banton, Jones, Curran, Chatting (Pitty), Showunmi, Sykes, Simmons

Billericay Town: Wright, Williams, Nesbitt, Edwards, Sheehan, Scott, Obafemi (Farrell), Poole, Sappleton, Liburd, Melaugh (Baker)