County Cups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FansFocus.Com SENIOR CUP
 
 

CANVEY ISLAND   0 - 5   HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS
 
A fantastic first half hat-trick from Sean Marks saw Heybridge Swifts sweep aside Canvey Island with a 5-0 FansFocus.Com Senior Cup Third Round victory at Park Lane, all the goals arriving before half time.

Ryman Premier Heybridge were always in the boss seat against the three-times winners from the moment Marks put his side in front on 10 minutes, poking home Danny Gabriel's header from close range.

Canvey stopper Glen Johnson, in his first game back at the club following a short spell away, did well to hold onto a long-range Marks header moments later but he had absolutely no chance as a thumping volley from Dave Wareham, having controlled a Robbie King cross, flew into the top corner to double the advantage on 32 minutes.

Canvey's first opportunity saw Jon Stuart's low drive deflected just wide after a strong run, but another chance for the visitors saw Marks side-foot inches wide having connected with a great cross from Ryan Hull.

Heybridge added to their lead on 39 minutes, Gulls full-back Chris Bourne diverting Danny Gabriel's shot into his own net. Marks added his side's fourth four minutes later, heading Danny Barber's centre into the net off the underside of the crossbar. Front-man Marks then completed his trio on the stroke of half time, this time slamming home a low twenty-yard shot that 'keeper Johnson could only help into the bottom left-hand corner.

The second half saw Canvey finally find their feet and restricted a frustrated Swifts to a goalless period. Goalkeeper Johnson, despite the first half goal flurry, was in fine form and he made a great double-save seven minutes after the re-start, firstly pushing away Barber's deflected free kick and then tipping Marks' rebound around the post.

Another Barber free kick smacked against the upright with Johnson beaten before bouncing to safety while Canvey's Leon Gordon saw his fierce angled drive firmly tipped over the top by Swifts custodian Stephen Northwood.

Gordon had another half chance for the home side, shooting into the gloves of Northwood, before Heybridge squandered a few late chances to extend their winning margin. Barber, again, saw a low free-kick zip just wide of the post and Marks connected well with Adam Passfield's cross but saw his dipping volley dropped just over the crossbar.

The last action, three minutes from time, arrived when Swifts substitute Luke Fisher sent a curling drive against the underside of the crossbar with the Canvey defence safely cleaning up the danger as the ball bounced back into play.

Canvey Island: Glen Johnson, Andrew West, Chris Bourne, Jon Stuart, Craig Davidson (George Blewer, 75), Clydie Roberts (Stuart Batch, 70), Gabriel Fanibuyan, Leon Gordon, Nicky Rugg, Ian Luck (Matt Reade, 46), Danny Francis. Unused Substitutes: Gary Britnell, Steve Corbell.

Heybridge Swifts: Stephen Northwood, Ryan Hull, Danny Barber, Robbie King (Luke Fisher, 61), Daryl Bourgeouis, Tobi Jinadu, Matthew Batt, Adam Passfield, Sean Marks, Danny Gabriel, David Wareham (Ian Wiles, 73). Unused Substitute: Ollie Morris-Sanders.

Bookings: None.

Attendance: 126.

Referee: Neil West (Leigh-on-Sea)

Assistant Referees: Jonathan Pickford (Leigh-on-Sea) and Ben Quartermaine (Dagenham).

Man of the Match: Sean Marks (Heybridge Swifts) - His well-taken hat-trick put the game out of Canvey's reach by the break and Marks was unlucky with two further opportunities.