Kingstonian 3-1 Canvey Island

Kingstonian bounced back from the disappointment of earlier in the week in the best possible style with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Canvey Island.

Sporting three changes from Tuesday's game, with Alimi, Bolarinwa and Hall in for Bird, Hamlin and Harkin respectively, Kingstonian dominated the match for long periods and ran out comfortable winners.

Following a relatively quiet start to the match in which the sides exchanged a couple of half chances each, Kingstonian took the lead in the 10th minute. After some good work down the left, Gray sent in a perfectly weighted cross which was converted with a minimum of fuss by Jinadu, who headed the ball into the bottom corner despite being surrounded by defenders.

As the half progressed, the most penetrative moves came down the Kingstonian right as Gray, playing at right wing-back, consistently found the lively Bolarinwa, who used his pace and trickery to good effect. Indeed, the next clear cut chance came in the 26th minute as Bolarinwa managed to get in a dangerous cross from the right which was met with a first time volley from Traynor which flashed just past the near post. A minute later Lodge shot just wide from an acute angle having been put through courtesy of a magnificent 40 yard diagonal pass from Gray.

Kingstonian continued to look dangerous without creating too many clear cut chances, although Bolarinwa went close after cutting inside and firing off a shot, but it went too close to the keeper. As the half came to a close Canvey managed to exert some pressure with two of corners in quick succession, but the defending was resolute, with Thompson in particular heading away well under pressure. There was still time for Traynor to come close to scoring in the second minute of time added on at the end of the half, as he hit the bar with a glancing header from a Bolarinwa cross.

It only took Kingstonian four minutes into the second half to double their lead as Bobby Traynor, exhibiting a superb strikers instinct, exploited the merest hesitation in defence following a back pass from Canvey's right back Everett. Quickly realising he wasn't likely to reach the ball first as the centre half was half a yard ahead of him, Traynor launched himself at the ball and slide it past the approaching keeper.

After a quiet first half Lodge started to make Everett's life difficult as he constantly marauded down the left. Having picked up a booking as early as the 9th minute for a foul on Lodge, Everett was walking a tightrope, not least when he appeared to impede Lodge as he whipped the ball past him in the 64th minute. But he soon made amends with a crucial touch as Lodge looked to be through on goal.

In a rare counter attack, Everett now turned attacker and was brought down by Hustwick just outside the area by the by-line. The product from the resulting free kick was disappointing as the left winger Rhodes, shot wide of the near post.

Kingstonian then put the result beyond all doubt as Traynor netted his second and Kingstoninan's third goal in the 68th minute. Put through by a clever pass from Bolarinwa, Traynor calmly rounded the keeper and made no mistake from a narrow angle.

Having duly conceded three goals Canvey then produced their best chances of the match as Tolfrey was called upon to make good saves from Heale and shortly afterwards, following a rare mistake from Alimi, Curran.

Having made a very encouraging full debut, Bolarinwa was replaced in the 78th minute by Harkin as the chances continued to flow for both sides. First Lodge had a firm shot well saved by Russell, before Tolfrey did well to keep out Heale from close range. Traynor then showed good strength to get on the end of a long ball before sending his shot just wide. At the other end, Curran found himself in acres of space on the right side of his area but he only succeeded in firing well wide.

Canvey finally managed to score a consolation goal in the 88th minute as Curran fed in Heale who had plenty to time to find the corner of the net from 12 yards.

Overall it was a fairly emphatic all round display from Kingstonian and if there was ever any doubt about the class of Bobby Traynor, following his recent barren patch, it was dispelled today as he gave a master class in the art of forward play. Working hard to win the ball when he didn't have it, holding it up well when he did, and then scoring when he had both half chances and clear chances. When combined with a good all round team effort it proved sufficient to see off mid-table Canvey Island.