By JOHN CHUBB
Brentwood Town visited their Bostik League North and Essex rivals Canvey Island in the renamed League Cup competition, bagging a 1-0 victory and a place in the second round.
The Gulls created a host of chances, the first of which came after only 2 minutes when George Sykes – Canvey’s top scorer last season with 21 goals – had his effort saved by Brentwood goalkeeper Anthony Page. But it was the Blues who scored what proved to be the only goal of the tie after 26 minutes, former Canvey defender Ryan O’Rawe returning to haunt his old club when he headed home a header from Luke Rowe’s cross.
The home side pushed hard for an equaliser for the remainder of the first half with Sam Collins, David Knight and Frankie Merrifield going close. In fact Merrifield found the net on 41 minutes but his effort was disallowed, supposedly for a foul on Page but the Gulls players claimed a Brentwood defender had collided with his own keeper. In spite of the protests referee Aaron Farmer would not let the goal stand.
Canvey continued to pile on the pressure after the break with Merrifield, Knight and Sykes all going close as Danny Heale’s side continued to create chances for each other. The Blues nearly doubled their lead with 56 minutes on the clock though, and once again it was their skipper O’Rawe who nearly found the net but an outstanding save from Gulls keeper Henry Newcombe kept the score at 1-0. Andrew Freeman also went close for Brentwood on a couple of occasions.
Two of the home side’s second half substitutes George Craddock and Mitchell Gilbey both had good chances, the latter crashing the ball against the base of the post with 20 minutes remaining. Canvey’s frustration continued when Sykes missed a couple of late chances, with visiting keeper Page consistently alert to any danger to ensure a place for Craig Shipman’s Blues side in the 2nd round.
Canvey Island: Newcombe, Pitty, Dumas, Levett (Craddock 54), Sheehan, Sobers, Merrifield, Collins, Sykes, Knight (Griffiths 76), Nesbitt (Gilbey 62).
Brentwood Town: Page, Pugsley, Foster, Jones, O’Rawe, Martin, Stanley (Hilton 72), Hall (Hilder 76), Price, English (Bell 90), Freeman.
Attendance: 238
