MATCH REPORT - Canvey Island - 27/12/25

Canvey Island 1 (Newson 90+1) – Billericay Town 0

Calum Newson’s injury time header sparked jubilant scenes at the Steve Taxi’s Stadium as Canvey Island edged past Essex rivals Billericay Town in a scrappy contest. On a troublesome pitch where both sides struggled for sustained control, the Gulls weathered a first half Ricay storm before creating the clearer chances after the break and eventually finding a decisive moment as the clock ticked past 90 minutes.

On a blustery winter afternoon, Canvey began with the wind in their favour and fashioned the first opening on four minutes, when Abdi Mohamud found space in the box but was denied from close range by Sam Donkin.

Billericay responded ten minutes later, Jack Evans testing Jacob Marsden after the hosts failed to clear their lines, before the Canvey keeper was again called into action to block Liam Nash’s near point blank effort.

Despite playing against the wind, the Blues looked the more likely to break the deadlock and Elliot Long was next to be denied by Marsden. Evans then delivered a teasing free kick that almost picked out former Canvey defender Ollie Parsons at the far post, though his cross evaded everyone in red.

The Gulls remained a threat on the counter but it was Ricay who missed the best chance of the half on 31 minutes, Long racing clear after being played in by Nash only to fire straight at Marsden, and the sides went in goalless.

Billericay began the second half seeing more of the ball but struggled to break down a resilient Canvey back line. Long again threatened when he beat Marsden to the ball, only for Gulls captain Elliott Ronto to produce a vital block.

Although the hosts had offered little in the opening hour, the momentum shifted on 65 minutes when Donkin raced from his goal and was beaten to the ball, yet Finlay Dorrell somehow looped over from 25 yards with the net unguarded.

Dorrell went close again moments later as Canvey began to dominate, before Ricay replied through long range efforts from Tyrell Miller-Rodney and Charlie Ruff that failed to trouble Marsden. The Gulls then spurned another huge opportunity with just over ten minutes remaining, Dorrell racing clear once more but Donkin producing an outstanding fingertip save, despite the referee awarding a goal kick.

The decisive moment arrived as the game moved into stoppage time. A cross found its way to Newson, who looped a header over Donkin, and although the Blues keeper clawed at the ball, the assistant’s flag confirmed it had crossed the line to secure the points for Canvey and send the home fans into raptures.

The win marks the Gulls’ second home triumph of the month and moves them to within seven points of safety, while Billericay slip to 11th after a frustrating afternoon on the Essex coast.

Canvey Island: Marsden; Halsey, Ronto, Dariri, Reeve; Hubble, Yeboah; Newson, Mohamud (Salako 77), Kashket (Finneran 90+5); Dorrell (Ige 81)

Subs not used: Daniels, Hart

Billericay Town: Donkin; Lewis-Burgess, Scott, Parsons, Porter; Miller-Rodney, Evans (Ruff 66); Nash (Cerulli 66), Watts (Owen 87), Long; Merrifield

Subs not used: Barnum-Bobb, Davis

Referee: Craig Wood

Attendance: 702

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