GULLS FLY AWAY WITH THE POINTS

Blues injury jinx struck again in this local derby, already missing the services of Mitch Hahn before kick off they then lost central defenders Pat Ahern and Lewis Clark, followed by holding midfielder Lewis Dark all within the first 45 minutes forcing them to reshuffle their formation. But even allowing for the disruption, they were never at the races in a low par display and were caught cold by opponents who were much sharper in the opening period - going behind on seven minutes. Danny Sambridge had to be at his best on numerous occasions as Canvey held the upper hand in the first half allowed too much time and space by their timid hosts.

Alarm bells rang as early as the 2nd minute when Tobi Joseph was released with a simple ball through Blues back line and should have done better with only Sambridge to beat his tame effort was easily saved.

The lesson was clearly not learnt when Canvey under no pressure were allowed to dictate play and it was no surprise when they went ahead on seven minutes through Evans Kouassi, who was a real thorn in Blues side all afternoon - there was ample opportunity to clear the ball but ineffective defending allowed the Canvey man to score with ease.

Pat Ahern sustained an injury immediately after the goal to be replaced by Rob Bartley.

The Gulls were still allowed to move the ball around the park with ease - Blues were tentative in the challenge failing to win crucial second balls. Connor Hubble tested Sambridge who pulled off a brilliant save to turn the ball over.

Lewis Dark was Blues next casualty, further disrupting Blues rhythm, to be replaced by Albert Levett who showed enough to conclude he will be an asset to the squad immediately demanding the ball and cajoling his team mates.

It wasn't until thirty minutes into the game that Blues at last showed some urgency forcing Bobby Mason into action punching clear under pressure and a corner caused panic where Tony Stokes fired wide.

Worryingly Canvey were breaching a square Blues back line with ease and the next goal looked increasingly likely to come from the men in yellow and so it was when Kouassi with another darting run evaded weak challenges and found the unmarked Joseph who had the simplest of tasks to make it 2-0 five minutes before the break.

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Lewis Clark failed to appear for the start of the half replaced by Joe Agunbiade with Roy Omalabi moved to centre back resulting in Blues using all their substitutes all through injury and now preventing substitutions for tactical changes further exacerbating matters.

Looking sharper after the break Blues took the game to their visitors and signalled a revival of sorts pressing higher up the park and it paid off when a slick passage of play set up a chance for Stokes, saved at the expense of a corner by Mason. Canvey quickly replied when Kouassi forced Sambridge into a diving save.

The Gulls still looked the more dangerous going forward breaching Blues back line - Kouassi was the key with some darting runs setting up opportunities, at times it was a contest between him and Sambridge who had to be alert to turn away another dangerous effort.

Any hopes Blues could reduce the arrears were dashed on 66 minutes when Sambridge again made a fine save to turn the ball behind and from the corner the ball flashed across goal where Elliot Ronto stole in at the far post to slide home.

It was now looking ominous, the goal had clearly sapped Blues resolve and it was now a case with just over fifteen minutes to go whether they could keep the scoreline respectable, but that hope was quickly dispelled when an intricate passage of play set up Harrison Chatting for the fourth on 71 minutes.

Jey Siva came close to making it five when his clever free kick drifted past the woodwork. Agunbiade and Joao Carlos both had chances both putting headers wide and then an Agunbiade cross was met by Stokes whose shot was saved by Mason.

So a disappointing afternoon for Blues in a game of what might have been - certainly the three injuries had an impact but they must address the sluggish start to games which was apparent today, and Wednesday against Potton. Conceding early you are always going to be chasing the game, having said that it's too early in the season to read too much into the defeat and once a number of injured players are back in contention then competition for places will energise the squad.

Sambridge, Sammons , Joynes, Clark (Agunbiade 46), Ahern ( Bartley 8),Dark (Levett 26),Melaugh, Omolabi, Stokes, Paxman, Carlos

Subs not used: Moore, Russell