JAKE Gordon marked his return to Great Wakering Rovers with a brace for new club Canvey Island as their pre-season clash on Tuesday ended 5-2 to the Ryman Premier League side.

Despite conceding inside the opening three minutes to Billy Johnson, Canvey came back into contention strongly although that came after Kris Newby had hit the post for Wakering.

George Sykes combined with Gordon and the latter cut inside to strike below Matt Belcher to equalise after 15 minutes before Lee O’Leary put the away side ahead, heading in a Joey May cross.

Gordon got his second of the afternoon 60 seconds later, blasting in from 25 yards to make it 3-1.

After half-time, Canvey extended their advantage to 4-1 when more good work from Sykes saw him square for O’Leary, with scorer turning provider with 30 minutes remaining.

O’Leary played in Jack Simmons and he found the net.

Adalberto Pinto made it 5-2 with a fortuitous deflected effort but Canvey were comfortable winners in the end.

East Thurrock United were beaten 3-2 by Aveley at Mill Field in their latest warm-up match.

The National League South newcomers had come from behind twice to draw level, with goals from Brandon Scott and Darren Foxley, only to concede late on to lose.

Bowers & Pitsea drew 1-1 with Wivenhoe Town, with Marc Gorbell striking for Rob Small’s team.

It was a chastening night for Hullbridge Sports ahead of their first Essex Senior League match of the season on Saturday, going down 8-0 at home to Witham Town.

Basildon Town drew 2-2 with Harold Wood Athletic, with the goals coming from Dan Williams and Ayoola Omotola Odedoyin.