Canvey Island 0 Lowestoft Town 0

Att 341

Teams:-
Canvey Island: Vickers, Alaile, Boucott, Game, Bartley, Humphrey, Curran, Smith, Thomas, Sellears, Dumas. Subs; Onwubiko, Bellotti, Chatting, Hawes, Brightly

Lowestoft Town: Jones, Jack Ainsley, Crane (Gleeson 65 mins), Gaughran, Stuart Ainsley, Fisk, Lee Smith, Okay, Fisk, Henderson, Frew (Woods-Garness 63 mins). Subs; Adam Smith, Woods-Garness, Cunningham, Gleeson, Viner

After a silly sending off by Henderson, Lowestoft work their socks off to earn a solid point in a 0-0 draw at Canvey Island.

Both Ashlee Jones and Bradley Woods-Garness returned to their old club, as Lowestoft made one change from Saturday with Okay coming in for Gleeson.
Canvey Island had young Arsenal loanee Vickers in goal, as they went in search of their first points of the season.

The match got underway with Jack Ainsley starting at right back, Lee Smith moved from the centre of midfield to wide right and Okay playing alongside Eagle in the middle of the park.
Stuart Ainsley was called into action early doors, coming across from left back to make a great clearance in the Lowestoft box but it was Lowestoft who were showing good movement and pressing well early on. Lowestoft went on to boss the large majority of possession in the opening twenty minutes but neither keeper had been asked any questions at that point.
Canvey eventually started to get into the game and get some possession themselves in the Lowestoft half but were not getting much joy and as the half went on both teams started to cancel each other out. Dumas did have a shot charged down for Canvey but overall it was frustrating stuff with neither side working any real chances on goal.
Henderson was looking busy for Lowestoft but in a spell of two mad minutes he was rightfully sent for an early bath by the referee. In truth he was lucky to get just a yellow card for kicking out at Smith but followed it just a minute later with another silly challenge on Smith and was given his marching orders after being shown his second yellow card (38 mins). It was a disappointing and uncharacteristic dismissal for Henderson but Lowestoft got their heads down and focused on getting to the break to re-group.
Canvey nearly took advantage before the halftime whistle but following a great ball across the box from the left, Stuart Ainsley made a super interception to clear the danger.

Lowestoft started the second half by pushing Fisk up alongside Okay to make a 4-4-1.
Canvey did get an earlier sighter of goal with Curran hitting a weak effort at Jones but it was Lowestoft who started the half with loads of energy and effort in their play.
As the half progressed Lowestoft continued to show a fantastic work rate and certainly didn't look like a side who were down to ten men. Gaughran was commanding the back line, Stuart Ainsley was committed to his defensive play and both Okay and Fisk were working hard centrally.
Frew had worked hard again for just over two thirds of the game but Lowestoft looked for a fairytale outcome, introducing the ex Canvey striker Woods-Garness in the 63rd minute. Two minutes later Lowestoft had to make their second change with Crane feeling his groan and being replaced by Gleeson.
The fairytale outcome of Woods-Garness scoring the all important goal very nearly came to pass, as Lee Smith showed some fantastic work in the right corner to make space and tee up Woods-Garness, who forced the keeper Vickers to turn the ball around the base of the post. It was a good first time shot by Woods-Garness and a great save.
At the other end however, Canvey had yet to force a real save from Jones, which was credit to the effort Lowestoft were putting in.
An Eagle free kick from the right brushed the crossbar for Lowestoft but as the final ten minutes of the match were entered, Lowestoft not surprisingly started to tire a little.
The whole Lowestoft team had really rolled up their sleeves in the second half though but very nearly conceded right at the death, in what would have been a cruel blow.
A clear foul was made on Eagle but with the referee surprisingly waving play on, Game crossed from the right for Canvey and the towering Thomas rose in front of goal to send a header clattering against the bar and straight down on the line. It was just millimetres away from crossing the line but instead ended up in the arms of Jones, much to the relief of every travelling supporter.
As the final whistle sounded Lowestoft could hold their heads high after putting in a fantastic second half performance that was full of effort and determination to not lose the match.

Fisk and Okay held together a great second half effort for the team, while Gaughran looked solid throughout. It wasn't the type of free flowing match for Eagle to shine but even he kept trying, looking for that moment of magic.
The Man of the Match for Lowestoft though was the consistent Stuart Ainsley, who put in another focused effort at left back with some brilliant tackles and interceptions to regularly frustrate Canvey Island.

The team had given everything to secure a point and I very briefly caught up with Man of the Match Stuart Ainsley after the game:-
Fantastic work rate in the second half and a well deserved point? "Yeah it was really hard work second half against eleven, with us being down to ten but the boys put in a good shift everywhere. It was hard work but good to take a point in the end".
On a personal level, a Man of the Match performance from yourself, putting in some great tackles and interceptions? "Have you got your glasses on (laughs). Nah, everyone done well, one through to ten. So I'm not sure I was man of the match but I'll take it".

Lowestoft will be on their travels again on Saturday as they head to AFC Hornchurch but will be back at the Crown Meadow on Bank Holiday Monday to take on a strong Leiston side.

Terry Bullen