Canvey Island 5–2 Tonbridge Angels

From the Prospects Stadium

Ryman Premier Division

 

CANVEY Island claimed their first win in six weeks thanks to a terrific first-half hat-trick from on-loan midfielder George Skyes.

The 20-year-old scored three goals in 30 minutes to put the Gulls in charge against their beleaguered opponents, for whom which goalkeeper Kyle Merson had a game to forget.

Merson fumbled two late efforts, finished by Enoch Showunmi and substitute Harrison Tweddell in a game that Canvey never truly looked like losing.

Regulars at the Prospects Stadium hadn’t seen their side taste success since midway through December but were up against a side who were experiencing similar difficulties in the league, Angels sitting only one place above the Gulls.

But Canvey started this game with a point to prove and were the brighter side from kick-off.

And it didn’t take long for the first goal to arrive, with Sykes profiting from a neat flick by powerful front man Enoch Showunmi.

The forward nodded on for the sprinting Sykes to take a touch and lash left-footed across Kyle Merson in the Angels goal from 15 yards.

Showunmi should have doubled the lead soon after he was played in by Wickford-based winger Jack Simmons. But the Nigerian dallied as he bore down on goal and although he squeezed the ball through Merson’s legs the ball was cleared off the goal line.

But Sykes was back in the thick of it when he doubled his tally midway through the first half. Jumping for a Dave Collis corner, the rangy midfielder picked up the loose ball and crashed home.

Canvey were in control and it was no surprise when the third goal came or who scored it.

Another Collis corner caused confusion in the box, with Merson flapping at the near post and the ball dropped at the feet of the 20-year-old for him to complete his treble.

That should have been that, with almost an hour left to play, but Angels hit back straight from kick-off.

A loose ball in the box cannoned around and Joe Taylor was left free at the far post to tap home and ensure Canvey’s search for a first clean sheet since the start of November went on.

Angels started the second half brighter, with Tommy Whitnell firing wide but the Gulls made the game safe thanks to another stroke of good fortune.

Showunmi’s work rate was rewarded when his free-kick was initially saved by Merson, only for the unfortunate stopper to see the loose ball squirm over his body and into the net.

Jack Parter pulled one back as the clock ticked towards the 90 minutes but Canvey were set to collect the points after another goalkeeping error.

Sykes’ long range effort should have been comfortable for Merson but he once again fumbled and the newly introduced Harrison Tweddell grabbed his first goal for the club.

 

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

Tonbridge Angels: Merson, Foulkes, Parter, D Parkinson, Slocombe, Ball, Taylor, T Parkinson, Williams (Okojie), Whitnell (Tavares), Greenidge

Other results: Ryman Premier Division: Bognor Regis Town 1-1 Billericay Town, Lewes 3-2 East Thurrock United

Ryman One North: Great Wakering Rovers 1-2 Ware