Conference National side Canvey Island played good football to beat Thurrock. Canvey were quickly out of the blocks and the free scoring Lee Boylan headed just over the bar after only 10 minutes. Canvey were dominating possession but Thurrock came close to scoring when Craig O’Connor’s 25 yard shot was deflected just wide. Canvey did take the lead halfway through the half when Jeff Minton beat the defence and stroked the ball past Billy McMahon in the Thurrock goal. Canvey were buoyant and Boylan was unlucky when McMahon pulled off an excellent save to deny his 20 yard drive. Thurrock started to get into the game and equalised 10 minutes before half time when Dave Collis’ pinpoint free kick was headed home by Martin Carthy. Canvey put the pressure back on the Thurrock defence and only a goal line clearance from Martyn Lawrence denied Boylan. Canvey did retook the lead on the stroke of half time when a one two between Boylan and Dwain Clarke led to the former flicking past McMahon into the corner of the goal. Thurrock did have a chance to equalise in injury time but Kris Lee headed straight at the keeper.

Canvey were straight out of the blocks in the second half as Keize Ibe scored from a through ball within a minute from kick off. Canvey continued to press and the impressive Minton beat two defenders and saw his drive come back of the post. With fifteen minutes to go the deficit was halved when Collis’ free kick was headed into his own goal by Dave Theobald. Thurrock couldn’t get an equaliser and Alan Tait scored with virtually the last touch of the game when he headed home former Fleet favourite John Keeling’s excellent corner.

Thurrock: McMahon, Collis, Goodfellow, Goddard, Fletcher, Heffer, Carthy, Forbes, Lawrence, Lee, O’Connor.