Lowestoft Town travelled to Park Lane for a Ryman Premier League game, knowing that Canvey Island would be smarting after being 2-0 up at half-time in the Alan Boon Cup on Tuesday, which ended with Lowestoft going on to win 3-2 in a good second-half display.

The weather was pretty mild, if a little blustery, which was going to make it difficult for the goal-keepers to keep the ball in play.

Lowestoft were looking to take 3 points back to Suffolk from their Essex rivals, and really push home the advantage of games in hand on the leaders of the league, but Canvey had other ideas.

The management team had to decide if they should give Robert Eagle, recently released by Grimsby Town, his Ryman League debut, and he lined up wearing the number 11 shirt, after two pretty impressive games in recent cup matches, scoring 2 in 2.

Lowestoft were kicking right to left in the 1st half, with Eagle playing wide left and Guentchev on the right.

Lowestoft started the game brightly, and in the first minute were awarded a free-kick that Mitchell tested the keeper, Russell, into making a smart save, to force the first corner of the game.

Mitchell had another free-kick in the 7th minute but that came to nothing. Lowestoft were in the driving seat and Guentchev had a rasping shot palmed away by Russell on 10 minutes for a corner. From that corner, Crane's header nearly found the net.

Canvey's first real venture forward resulted in a good cross-field ball by Bradley Woods-Garness to Alex Rhodes, who fired home a shot past Reynolds in the Trawlerboy's goal for 1-0, with the Lowestoft defenders appealing to the linesman for offside, clearly not agreeing that the goal should have been allowed to stand.

Lowestoft continued to try to pull a goal back and in the 14th minute Gaughran had a free header that went over the bar.

Mid-way through the first half and Henderson was set clear with only the keeper to beat, but Russell saved well, making a good save to his left.

Down the other end, Canvey could have gone 2-0 up as Reynolds came out to foil a shot, and could only watch as the play went closer to the goal-line before being cleared by a Lowestoft defender to safety.

On 35 minutes Lowestoft got the score level after good work by Frew and Henderson, and the move was finally finished off by Guentchev from a fairly tight angle.

This sprung Canvey into life again with the impressive Bradley Woods-Garness scoring an overhead kick from the edge of the penalty area after a good cross from Jason Hallett, and send the home fans wild.

The scoring wasn't over yet, and a minute later Canvey made it 3-1 after great work from debut player James Comley, who found his way to the touchline and then crossed deep finding the unmarked Jay Curran to tap home from a few yards.

Half-time - Canvey Island: 3 Lowestoft Town: 1

Lowestoft made the change at half-time, with Forbes coming on at right back, and Gaughran who hadn't had his best of games, being replaced. Mitchell moved into the middle to partner Crane at the centre of defence.

Lowestoft were pushing hard to get a goal back and were leaving themselves fairly open at the back. Canvey had chances to further increase the scoreline through Hallett, Curran and also King. Reynolds was having to be at his best and made some good saves, and could only watch as one Canvey shot clipped the crossbar from long range.

Forbes was playing well at the back clearing one off the line after a stop by Reynolds.

Lowestoft did get the score back to 3-2 mid-way through the second half, when a great forward run by half-time sub Forbes, and pin-point cross found the head of Henderson to give the away a chance.

Dean Mason, another new signing, came on for Canvey, along with Nolan making way for Guentchev with about 20 minutes to go.

Mason could and should have made it 4-2 to Canvey after ghosting through the Lowestoft defence, but missed an open goal.

Lowestoft tried all they could, even taking off Ainsley and replacing with Forshaw with only a handful of minutes to go.

The ref indicated 3 minutes of injury time, mainly due to what could have been a bad injury when Fisk came off worst after a high boot from a Canvey midfield player earlier in the game.

The game did have one last twist but the scoreline wouldn't change in the last minute of injury time. Henderson hit the crossbarand Canvey cleared the ball. The ref blew the final whistle.

Final Score - Canvey Island: 3 Lowestoft Town 2: Attendance 371

With other games going Lowestoft's way, not to much damage was done today. They have a chance to bounce back against Wealdstone next weekend, (28th January 2012), who have found some form over recent months, (this has mainly been because of on-loan duo Britt Assombalonga and Connor Smith from Watford. They both joined in November and have been great for Wealdstone. Assombalonga has great pace and so far scored 8 goals and midfield man Smith is a firm tackler and picks his pass well). Town must also make the most of the games in hand they have on the league leaders.

Assombalonga will have to be watched very carefully by our back four in this game, (28th January). Wealdstone knocked out Barrow in the last round of the F.A. Trophy and now face Dartford away in the last 16 in early February. They also have Richard Jolly, a crowd favourite with the club, back after he was recently released by Sutton United.

Wealdstone travel to Hendon in midweek for another Ryman Premier League game.

The Wealdstone game will be a cracking game, so if you haven't been to Crown Meadow in a while, why not get yourself along.

Steven End - Press Officer, Lowestoft Town Football Club