Grays Athletic 2-0 Canvey Island

(Stuart 40’, Bishop 88’)

From Mill Field

Ryman Premier League

GRAYS Athletic handed themselves another timely boost as they defeated rivals Canvey Island to secure back-to-back Ryman Premier League victories.

The pressure was on both sides, with each desperate to lift themselves out of the relegation places and move up the league.

Grays had won their last match to end a seven-match losing run but it was the Gulls that were on top early on.

Omar Jomanday’s strike was pushed behind by home goalkeeper Amadou Tangara after 15 minutes, with Canvey knowing a win could be enough to lift them out of the drop zone.

Harry Watkins struck narrowly over the crossbar and the forward was proving tricky to handle, with only Lewis Moore and Jake Pitty denying the Grays man soon after.

The opener came five minutes before half-time and it was a well-worked free-kick. John Mbamarah committed a foul on the edge of the penalty area and Grays took full advantage.

Watkins played in player/manager Jamie Stuart down the left and his cross was deflected beyond the despairing Moore.

George Sykes hit over the bar with an acrobatic effort as the half came to a close.

Gulls manager Danny Heale handed Callum Ibe a second-half debut, after he joined from Southend Manor.

And he created the best chance at the start of the second-half, getting his head to a Mitch Gilbey cross only for Tangara to push it away.

The away side were dominating the second period but without getting the goal they so desperately needed.

Tangara scurried back to stop his own defender finding the net but Grays were to make the game safe in the final moments.

Kieran Bishop got between two defenders to strike beyond Moore and into the net.

Grays Athletic: Tangara, Mahal, Stuart (Cunningham), Campbell, Aghatise, Forbes, Watkins, Osei, Menga (Hornsley), Bishop, Mascoll