Derby day on Canvey

AFTER a three-year armistice, Canvey’s two clubs are set to recommence battle with a Christmas cracker at Thames Road.

The fixture list has decreed that Monday, December 27, will be the day when the island’s clubs will resume their rivalry.

It was the first match the clubs’ fans looked for following Concord’s promotion to the Ryman Premier last season, and a bumper crowd is expected to turn out for a mouth-watering derby match between the two play-off hopefuls.

Their last meeting was in Essex Thameside Trophy on a chilly Tuesday evening in February 2008, and Canvey won 2-1 at Thames Road.

Current right-back Andrew West gave the Gulls the lead, before Concord’s current joint-manager Danny Scopes equalised late on.

But Canvey youth product Kieran English – in his one and only appearance for the first team – scored a 90th minute to secure the win.

Scopes said: “I think our keeper made a mistake for their winning goal. I remember heading in the equaliser from a corner. I’ve got a photo of it with our club secretary celebrating in the background – it’s my screen saver.

“And I remind the lads at training that I was the last one to score against Canvey - because I don’t want them to forget!”

Danny Heale and John Easterford, who have both starred for Canvey this season, played for Concord in that game two years ago.

Scopes added: “This is the first time Danny and John will have come back, so it will be interesting to see what sort of reception they get.

“But both played a massive part in our promotion last year so I hope they get a good response from the crowd.”

Canvey manager John Batch, who was in charge of the Gulls for that game in 2008, said: “I remember it came at an awkward time of the season, and both teams rested some players.

“But it was a competitive and tight game. I remember Kieran English scored the winner. It was the only game he played for the first team and I think he went travelling after that.”

The two sides have met a total of 11 times in all competitions since Concord earned senior status in 1991.

Canvey have seven wins, Concord two, and there have been two draws.

But it’s Ryman Premier new boys Concord who currently enjoy top-dog status.

The Beachboys are four points and five places above Canvey going into the game, but Batch says it is far too early to suggest there has been a power-shift between the two clubs.

He said: “They are having a good year, there is not a lot between us, and we will respect them.

“But I think where the power lies will be shown at the end of the season, and not where we are after this one game.”

Both clubs have fully fit squads to chose from for the game. Lee Noble will be available for Concord after having his loan from Dartford extended, but Marc Sontag will be unavailable because he will be away for Christmas.

Kick-off at Thames Road is at 3pm.

* Elsewhere in the division, Billericay will hope to end their alarming three-game losing streak when they host tenth-placed Hendon.

Billericay have no new injuries and expect full-back Greg Oates to recover from a virus.

Manager Craig Edwards said: “It has been a nightmare December for us following a very good November.

“We have dropped from third to eighth but if we had won our games we would be sitting comfortably in second.

“So we need to start turning things round.”

Billericay will play a friendly against Dagenham & Redbridge at New Lodge on Wednesday, December 29. Kick-off is at midday and admission is free.

* And AVELEY will look to continue their good form under new boss Carl Griffiths when they make the short trip to AFC Hornchurch.

Millers come into the game on the back of two wins, a draw and a defeat from their last four games.

RYMAN ONE NORTH

GREAT WAKERING'S home game against Thamesmead Town on December 27 is already being rated as doubtful because of the bad weather.

A statement from the club said the pitch is still under several inches of snow and says a postponement is “probable”. Check the club website nearer the time before travelling to the game.

Should the game go ahead, Rovers will be looking to avenge an FA Trophy defeat to Town at Burroughs Park in October.

That day goals from Andy Constable and a flukey effort from Ashley Probets meant Bradley Walsh’s strike for Rovers was only a consolation.

Wakering boss Ryan Wilkinson has a fully fit squad to pick from, and hopes to sign Brentwood’s Jack Gardner on the day if the game goes ahead.

He said: “We went on a five-game winning run after the last time we played them so hopefully we can do the same again.”

Elsewhere in the division, GRAYS will technically host EAST Thurrock at Rookery Hill.

With Grays listed as the home team, Rocks will have to use the visitors’ dressing room and away dug-out at their own ground.

Rocks boss John Coventry said: “It will be a bit strange, but it is just one of those things. We’ll just be happy if we manage to get the game on.”

TILBURY travel to Essex rivals Brentwood. A win for Dockers will move them away from the drop zone, but defeat could see them drop into the bottom three.

BLUE SQUARE BET SOUTH

THURROCK have a tasty-looking Essex derby double header with Chelmsford City over the festive period.

The snow was cleared from the Ship Lane pitch on Tuesday, and the club are confident the Boxing Day fixture will go ahead.

A win for Thurrock could see them move out of the relegation zone.

And victory for Chelmsford could see them break into the play-off places. Kick-off at Ship Lane on Boxing Day is at 1pm.