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             Canvey Island completed their Ryman League victory with a 2-1 win against Thurrock. Canvey started brilliantly and took the lead after only four minutes with Ollie Berquez finishing off a fine move. The lead was nearly doubled two minutes later when a shot was cleared off the line by Dave Collis. Thurrock were chasing shadows as Canvey’s passing game was cutting them to shreds.

            Thurrock did manage a shot after ten minutes when TK’s long range effort was dealt with comfortably with Potter in the Canvey goal. A minute later confusion between Goths and John Purdie nearly led to an own goal.

            The rest of the half passed without many major incidents although the referee did blow for half time after 35 minutes, which confused player and fan alike.

            Thurrock flew out of the blocks in the second half. Cliff Akurang went clear through and after three attempts put the ball into the back of the net. Canvey came back strong and put the Thurrock goal under lots of pressure. The pressure told with ten minutes to go. Lee Boylan was left with an open goal after a save by Goths and he duly scored the goal that secured promotion to the Conference.

Thurrock did pressure Canvey late on and Thurrock fans were treated to seeing John Purdie join the attack, probably for the first time in his 291^st appearance for the club. He started a move by passing to Paul Linger who passed to Collis. Collis’ cross was flicked on in the box by Purdie and Terry Bowes’ shot was pushed wide. From the resulting corner Akurang hit the bar with a towering header. The final whistle was blown soon after and Canvey celebrated after three consecutive second places.

Man of the Match: John Purdie

Thurrock: Gothard, Broom, Collis (Lawrence 89), Purdie, Heffer, Howard, Bowes, Allen (Linger 89), Akurang, Lee (Martin 67), Kandol