It’s been a mixed start for the Canvey Islanders this season with 3½ games played and almost the full house of results. An opening day draw was followed by defeat then a victory before last Tuesday night’s encounter with Needham Market fell afoul of a floodlight failure with the Gulls holding a slender 2-1 advantage at the break.

With a number of new signings in the bag during the summer manager Danny Heale used the close season to strengthen the spine of a side that had at one-time last season threatened to be a title contender only to fall away disastrously, ironically after a home defeat at the hands of the Hamlet. New faces at the Frost Financial Stadium included experienced midfielder Lee O’Leary from Ryman Premier Division rivals Kingstonian, winger Jack Simmons from National League Dartford as well as a pair of central defenders in the shape of Joey May from AFC Hornchurch and former Arsenal and Stevenage youngster Luis Morrison. Key coup though in the eyes of manager and fans alike was the capture of 6’ 5” forward George Sykes from Dartford, a former Barnet youngster who lit up a chill Champion Hill in February 2015 with a brace of goals in a 3-0 win for the Islanders.

After the rigmarole of preseason had been completed, one of varied fortunes, day one of the campaign took the Gulls to Enfield Town. In scorching conditions at Donkey Lane it looked as if a goalless draw might be on the cards, particularly when Sykes 73rd minute spot kick was expertly turned away by E’s ‘keeper Nathan McDonald. However, Enfield Town’s relief was short-lived with their defence failing to clear the resultant corner and Ryan O’Rawe on hand to hook the ball home from close-range. Going into stoppage time, the score line remained 1-0 to the Gulls but the hearts of the travellers were broken as Billy Crook’s free kick saw Conor Gough palm out a header only for Tyler Campbell to pounce for the leveller.

The Tuesday night saw Canvey play host to Leiston, current table toppers and just one of two club left with a 100% record as things stand. Once more late goals would prove the undoing of the Gulls as the Blues bagged three goals in a frenetic final few minutes to shade the contest 3-2. After almost an hour of deadlock former Leiston wingman found the net with a steam rocket of goal from 20 yards out. Leiston’s Byron Lawrence matched that with his own piece-de-résistance five minutes from the end of the 90 firing home from 30 yards out only for Simmons to put Canvey back ahead within 60 seconds. However, in four minutes of added time the Blues scored twice to achieve a miraculous victory, first when Leiston skipper poked the ball home from close range then as Lawrence’s speculative steamer someone passing through Gough as if he were but a spectre.

Finally, last Saturday, it was three points for Heale’s troops with an old hand coming to his side’s rescue. Leatherhead was the prey and centre forward Martin Tuohy the predator as he snaffled a hat trick against the hapless Tanners. long time scourge of defences across the Ryman League Touchy put the Gulls into the driving seat after just 12 minutes as he dispatched a penalty kick before heading home his second 7 minutes before the break. Despite a wind whipping off the Thames into the face of the Islanders in the second half, they thwarted all efforts of Leatherhead to wheedle a way back into the game. Seven minutes from the final whistle substitute Sykes’ irresistible run from the halfway line ended in the area as he tucked the ball back into the path of Tuohy who completed his hat trick with a regulation tap in.

Canvey looked on course to make it back-to-back wins on Tuesday night away at Needham Market as led 2-1 in Suffolk thanks to a brace of Sykes’ scores. However, as the halftime team talks progressed in the dressing rooms, the floodlights were gently fading into oblivion and though both teams were content to continue, safety fears saw the game abandoned just short of an hour later.

This afternoon’s game takes place at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD, kicking off at 3.00pm. Main turnstiles will be open from 1.00 pm with the Greendale turnstiles also open from 2pm. Guests and officials are asked to enter via the Health Club reception which Season Ticket holders may also use on display of their season ticket.

Admission prices:

£10 for Adults
£4 for Concessions
NB: Concessions cover Seniors - 60+, Teenagers (13-19), Unemployed (JSA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), NHS Staff, Blue Light Services, Serving Members of the Armed Forces and Full Time Students. (Please bring a form of valid ID for your concession as you might not be admitted without that)
Under 13s FREE accompanied by a paying adult

Programmes: £2