Ryman premier league

Sat 26th August 2000

conditions wet and warm

SUTTON UNITED 0   CANVEY ISLAND 1

Canvey deservedly took the points from this league encounter , they always looked capable without really impressing. Sutton's failing was up front. It was 80 minutes before they had a shot , a rising effort from Danny Bolt just outside the area, the next and last shot came from Dave Harlow , with 5 minutes to go. Its early cliches in the season yet , and too expect so many new faces to fire on all cylinders, is unrealistic. Sutton are playing some nice approach work and I think it has been a long while since We've had so many players who are so comfortable on the ball. However you don't win points for nice mid-field play (give it time, the TV companies will find a way).

      In the first half the Us played with 3 at the back,   Harford, Berry and Palmer. Westcott was wide on the wing and the gap left was readily exploited by The Canvey number 11, Kennedy. Forcing 2 good stops from Howells in the early exchanges. Duffy hit a good long shot through a crowd of players in the 26th minute and United were pleased to see it go wide. Sutton forced a number of corners but they never amounted to any serious danger.

    Canvey struck in the 47th minute, while most of the crowd were still drinking their half time teas , a fine through ball to Vaughan enabled him to round Howells and slot home. Sutton changed things. They reverted to a four at the back bringing Andy Walker on as a full back, Harford pushed into midfield with Berry and Palmer doing the central defending. At times during the first half there were players who looked ill at ease with their roles, Westcott did not give the  quite the same impressive display that he had a Tuesday for instance. It seemed the change should suite United, but strangely it wasn't to be, Canvey showed they didn't mind shooting on sight and Gareth had to be at his best to keep the score down as Canvey pressed forward. Definitely not Sutton's day today, but as the team settles down, it will be soon.

Howells, Westcott , Gray ,Berry, Palmer, Harlow, Bolt,  Harford, Ekoku,  Salako,  Sears,    Subs   Walker ,  Thompson, Hodges