Billericay Town 0-3 Canvey Island

From New Lodge

Ryman Premier League

 

CANVEY Island got the better of nine-man Billericay Town in a match that was decided in the first 20 minutes.

A red card for Callum Dunne when the game was only four minutes old, combined with two goals in the following 15 minutes, meant it was also going to be an uphill task for Town.

A red card early in the second period for Ola Williams compounded a miserable afternoon before Jay Curran added his second of the afternoon late on.

Much of the build up ahead of the game was the return of trio Richard Halle, Steve Sheehan and Glenn Poole, just months after they had swapped New Lodge for Canvey Island.

But it was Dunne who was making headlines in the early stages. The midfielder raised his hands to Tambeson Eyong and was sent off, with just four minutes on the clock.

Sensing blood, the Gulls burst forward with Poole driving wide, although Tom Derry could have given the hosts the lead before the breakthrough came, striking the base of the post from 18 yards.

It was another old Town boy who played a bit part in the opening. Ashley Dumas fizzed in a cross from the left and Adeniji, coming in unmarked at the back post, volleyed past Jack Giddens.

And with 20 minutes on the clock it was 2-0. A corner was bent in and Curran ran in to tap home ahead of Halle.

The rest of the half was largely played out without incident, although further damage should have been inflicted as the clock ticked into added time.

Eyong led a break with men either side. He chose Odeniji but, although he crossed for Poole to score, the winger had strayed offside carelessly.

The second-half started evenly but, 10 minutes after the re-start Town were down to nine men. An off-the-ball incident between Harrison Chatting and Ola Williams saw the latter shown a straight red card to compound a miserable afternoon.

And, with that, Canvey were content to keep possession and play out the game although Town did endeavour to get a way into the match, with Onome Sodje tireless up front.

There was still time for a late strike, as more fine work from Eyong saw him provide Curran with a simple tap-in moments before the fine whistle.

 

Billericay Town: Giddens, Williams, Stephenson, Dunne, Ellul, Beavan, Hazlwood, Hubble (Edwards), Derry, Sodje, Stamp (Nesbitt)

Canvey Island: Gough, Sheehan, Dumas (Musanya), Eyong, Halle, Yiga, Adeniji, Poole (Pitty), Curran, Tuohy (Agyakwa), Chatting

Echo MOM: Tambeson Eyong (Canvey Island)