After a trip to Essex on Saturday to Hashtag United, Essex comes to us tonight as we welcome Canvey Island in our first home outing of the new season.

Saturday's game in Pitsea couldn't have fitted much more drama in it could it? A red card for Manny Parry in the 22nd minute, forcing us to play with ten men for well over an hour, three enforced changes in the first half, two well-taken Luke Wanadio strikes, save after save from Jack Ruddy in the second half, some of which defied logic, a controversial moment when Hashtag seemingly scored after the ball had gone out of play, and then a last-minute equaliser from the hosts to ensure a 2-2 draw and share of the spoils.

Don't worry Hamlet fans, we began 2017-18 with a draw, and we know how that ended!

There will surely be question marks over the fitness of Ryley Scott and Elliott Romain for tonight's game, both limping off with injuries in the first half on Saturday. Parry will be available tonight but will be suspended when Hastings come to town on Saturday. Alfie Allen and Jerry Gyebi could both be included in the squad.

Our visitors had a dramatic afternoon of their own on Saturday at Park Lane. Trailing 2-0 inside 11 minutes to Haringey Borough, it seemed like an opening-day defeat for the Gulls. However, Mason Hall gave them hope in the 72nd minute, before Bradley Sach equalised six minutes later. The turnaround would be completed by talismanic forward Evans Kouassi five minutes from time.

The Islanders have had successive play-off finishes, first in Division One North in 2022, when they overcame Felixstowe & Walton United and then Brentwood Town to earn promotion back to the Premier Division following a five year absence. Then last year they almost repeated the trick, as a third-placed finish gave them their highest position in the football pyramid since their days in the Conference in the mid-naughties. This time however, they were ultimately defeated by Aveley on penalties in the semi-final.

The afore-mentioned Kouassi will be a crucial player for the Gulls on Tuesday, with more than 50 goals in his last two seasons at the club, whilst midfielder Conor Hubble also has an eye for goal from midfield. Sach also netted more than 20 times last season, so there are plenty of attacking threats around the Islanders squad.

It is our first meeting since the 2016-17 season, where despite Canvey being relegated from the Premier Division, they would earn a league double over the Hamlet. In August of that season, Harrison Chatting put our visitors ahead, before a swift leveller from Gavin Tomlin. However, Ryan O'Rawe scored seven minutes from time to earn Canvey the win. In the return game in January, Steve Sheehan left it even later to net a winner, the defender popping up in the 87th minute to secure a 1-0 win.

Our record against Canvey Island is:
Head to Head: P12 W6 L6 GF17 GA16
At Champion Hill: P6 W3 L3 GF9 GA8
Biggest win: 3-0 (H) 2015-16
Biggest defeat: 0-3 (H) 2014-15