It is early in the season but this game has added importance for both sides. Neither club will be happy with how the early season has gone to date. Canvey brought in a raft of quality players, but their form has been patchy at best and they visit us in 18th place with 8 points from 10 games played. We sit one place lower in 19th with 7 points from 11 games and so far, not fulfilling our potential.

We have already met this season in the 1st Qualifying Round of the F.A.Trophy at the Steve's Taxis Stadium. Canvey ran out 4-1 winners with goals from Mitchell May (2), Conor Hubble and Evans Kouassi. Grays reply came from Ned Hepburn. The Blues finished with 9 men with Tyler Brampton receiving a second yellow card for dissent and soon after, Jordan Clarke was shown a straight red for a bad challenge.

Head to Head
That game has updated the record in competitive matches to;
P40 W7 D7 L26 Goals For 42 Goals Against 81.

Our last league meeting was in April 2022 at Canvey. Just like the Trophy game, The Gulls took a 3-0 lead into half time, with current Blue, Matt Price scoring twice and Evans Kouassi the other. In the second half, Anointed Chukwu got a consolation goal and it finished 3-1. Canvey went on to promotion through the play offs, defeating Brentwood Town in a memorable final.

In The Dugout

There has been a change in team manager since our Trophy game, with Garry Kimble being replaced by Kevin Horlock on 3rd September. Kevin, of course, was manager at Maldon and Tiptree last season, leading them to the Isthmian North title. He previously had a successful spell in charge of Needham Market. Kevin has brought in his long time footballing partner, Pip Boyland, as his assistant.

Recent Signings

Canvey have looked to Step 3 to refresh their squad, signing Josh Curry from Needham Market, Ben Coker on loan from Chatham Town and this week, Alfie Cutbush, from Stanway Rovers.

Opponents Form

In their last 6 league games, Canvey have Won 1, Drawn 1 and Lost 4, scoring 6 and conceding 10. Their win was against Takeley at home and the draw was at the EMR against Tilbury. Three of their four losses have come at the Steve's Taxis Stadium, with Wroxham, Newmarket Town and Fakenham Town taking the points back home. They have had one league win away from home this season, a very impressive victory at Cambridge City, back in August.

In the F.A.Cup they reached the 2nd Qualifying Round before a narrow loss at home to Chelmsford City. In the F.A.Trophy, after beating us, they had a great comeback win 3-2, at home to Cambridge City, before losing, again at home, to Needham Market.

Last Time Out

Canvey travelled on Tuesday Evening to Hullbridge Sports in the 3rd Round of the Essex Senior Cup. It was always likely to be a tricky tie, as Hullbridge managers Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace have put together a quality squad, more than capable of challenging for honours in the Essex Senior League. However, no-one would have predicted a 6-0 win for The Sports. The Gulls skipper, Elliott Ronto was sent off in the second half and Canvey's match report gave an assessment of their performance as, "abysmal".

For Blues, 24 hours later, we hosted a Hornchurch in the Senior Cup, with our National League opponents fielding a side comprised of Academy and U18 players. In fairness, Grays also rested several players, but the difference between youth and men's football still told. Liam Morritt celebrated his return to the starting line up with a first half hat-trick, his first goals for Grays. Liam was not alone in opening his account as Callum Burkey grabbed his first goal and Brandon Adams scored a brace. Gabriel Chapps also netted, with one in each half to become our top scorer this season as The Blues ran riot, winning 8-0.

Summary

When the league fixtures were announced, along with our games with The Dockers, the games I was looking out for were those against Canvey. I fully expected them to be challenging right at the top of the table, and I hoped we would be in touch with them. I think I can claim that at this stage, I got it half right....

It's still early days, but we have seen what the likes of Hashtag and Newmarket are capable of and there is clearly plenty of work to do. Whether the big win on Wednesday will have an impact on Mitch's thinking for Saturday, we will have to wait and see. At least he knows there are a group of younger players full of confidence, looking to step up to play a bigger role in the first team when called upon.

Please note that Saturday's game will be played in memory of our great friend, Colin Tillett, a stalwart supporter of The Blues, who sadly passed away recently. I know Colin will be looking down on us, cheering us on.

Come and join us for what should be an exciting game with a good crowd guaranteed. Make sure you get here early.

COYB!

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