Full-time: Canvey Island 0-0 Chelmsford City (Canvey Island win 3-2 on penalties)
Canvey Island progressed to the final of the Essex Senior Cup after emerging victorious in a penalty shootout against Chelmsford City on a cold night by the sea.
The Clarets created more chances than their hosts in normal time, but the likes of Ruaridh Donaldson, Kane Crichlow, Jordan Greenidge and Jacob Bland were all unable to convert their opportunities.
After a goalless 90 minutes, both teams’ goalkeepers came out on top in a penalty shootout which determined the winner of the cup tie. Ted Collins denied Canvey twice from the spot, while the Gulls’ shot stopper Bobby Mason made three saves in the shootout, which allowed his side to come out on top in the semi-final.
Robbie Simpson fielded a strong lineup, with seven of the eleven players who started in last Saturday’s win against Salisbury keeping their places. Arthur Penney, Donaldson, Bland and Greenidge were all inducted into the team.
City started the game positively and came close on several occasions in the opening 20 minutes. The first chance of the game fell to Donaldson in the 6th minute. The Scotsman volleyed a knockdown just wide of the post after it fell his way inside the Canvey penalty area.
Crichlow then forced Gulls keeper Mason into a fine save in the 15th minute. His shot from the edge of the box was tipped over the crossbar by Mason’s outstretched hand.
The Clarets were denied by the crossbar in the 39th minute when Greenidge headed Ryan Blackman’s free-kick towards goal. However, the header clipped the woodwork, and the rebound just eluded Crichlow, who would have had a simple tap-in.
Like they did in the first period, City also started the second half positively. Greenidge flashed an effort wide of goal in the 47th minute. After a pass from Bland behind the Canvey defence, Greenidge held off his marker and produced a powerful shot from a tight angle, but unfortunately his effort went the wrong side of the post.
Ipswich Town loanee Nico Valentine was introduced in the 62nd minute as Simpson looked to find the extra spark which his side needed. This change nearly paid off instantly when Valentine came close to helping City take the lead three minutes after his arrival. Some good work on the right flank from the winger saw him cross to Bland, whose shot from close-range was saved by Mason.
At the other end of the pitch, Collins made his first save of the night in the 67th minute. The Clarets’ goalkeeper dived low to his left to keep out Canvey full-back Toni Tinubu’s powerful shot.
City pushed for a winner in added time but couldn’t find the decisive goal needed to avoid a penalty shootout. Finley Wilkinson saw an effort which he struck from the edge of the box go ever so slightly over the crossbar. Even deeper into added time, Crichlow then fired a volley straight at Mason.
In the penalty shootout, substitutes Jake Hyde and Wilkinson scored Chelmsford City’s first two spot kicks. However, Harry Barbrook, Greenidge and Penney all had their penalties saved, which allowed Canvey to progress to the final after they converted three of their five efforts from 12-yards out.
Canvey Island XI: Mason, Tinubu (Kastrati 85′), Stephen, Salmon (C) (Hubble 59′), Wallace (Ejjayha 79′), Ronto, Adebiyi, Harris, Sach, Santos-Hurtado, Dorrel (Gilbert 59′).
Unused substitutes: Wakefield
Yellow cards: None
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Penney, Rye, Barbrook, Oguntayo (Wilkinson 89′); Blackman (C), Tamplin (Appiah 81′); Bland (Hyde 89′), Donaldson (Valentine 62′), Crichlow, Greenidge.
Unused substitutes: Ruff
Yellow cards: None
Match Officials: Tolu Sangowawa (Referee), Andrew Crossley (Assistant Referee), Adekola Adeyemi (Assistant Referee), George Barker (Fourth Official).
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