Canvey Island 1–1 Bognor Regis Town

From the Frost Financial Stadium

Ryman Premier League

 

IT was late heartbreak from Canvey Island as they conceded a 94th minute equaliser to Bognor Regis Town.

Jason Prior’s late header cancelled out Martin Tuohy’s second goal of the season, which had come on the stroke of half-time.

But they faced a tough task against Bognor Regis, who had won back-to-back matches to open the season, and it was the away side who started brightly.

Chad Field ballooned over from a promising position, before Jason Prior failed to hit the target when he was well-placed, with Jake Larkins rooted to the spot.

The Gulls first chance of the match fell to centre-half John Easterford, but his drive was straight at goalkeeper Grant Smith.

And then, eight minutes before the break, a moment of recklessness saw Canvey returned to 10 men. Ashley Dumas, who was celebrating his birthday, was the one giving out presents as he picked up a second yellow card.

Having been booked after two minutes, he tugged back an onrushing attacker to his cost.

Bognor pushed on, but were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men themselves, as Stuart Green kicked out at Tambeson Eyong.

But Canvey were not feeling sorry for themselves, and Martin Tuohy grabbed his second of the season on the stroke of half-time, profiting after a neat through-ball from Richard Halle.

Their likeliest outlet appeared to be Ozzy Adeniji, who was causing problems in the final third whenever he had the ball, but Bognor should have been level after a combination of Larkins and his defence somehow scrambled the ball clear after a barrage of shots in their box.

But the drama was yet to come, as Prior headed past Larkins to wild celebrations. The visitors even had a chance to grab a winner, as Alfie Rutherford nodded inches wide.

But it was a point for Canvey and their search for a first win of the season goes on.

Canvey Island: Larkins, Dumas, Easterford, Halle, Eong, Pitty, Curran (Agyakwa), Poole (Sheehan), Chatting, Tuohy (Gilchrist), Adeniji