Canvey Island 2–2 AFC Sudbury

(Dumas 80’, Ibe 85’: Wales 41’, Williams 55’)

From the Frost Financial Stadium

Ryman Premier League

CANVEY Island’s nine-year stint in the Ryman Premier League came to an end as they left their fightback too late against AFC Sudbury to be relegated.

The Gulls knew what they needed to do to if they had any chance of remaining in the division, and that was beat already relegated AFC Sudbury.

But they drew 2-2, rarely troubling away goalkeeper Marcus Garnham until the final 10 minutes.

The Gulls had the better of the opening exchanges, with Mitch Gilbey a livewire in the centre of the field.

But there were few chances, with Frankie Merrifield’s wild lash over the crossbar the best effort of the first 30 minutes.

The midfielder then headed down for Simon Thomas but out came Garnham in the away goal to block away the danger.

Sudbury had not created much but, four minutes before half-time they struck.

A ball was played in behind Steve Sheehan and Liam Wales was through. The striker bore down on goal and poked low beyond the onrushing Conor Gough.

A goal down at half-time, Canvey needed to show something more.

But 10 minutes into the half, their survival hopes took what looked to be a decisive blow.

Ashley Dumas let the ball slide under his foot and Wales was away. The striker sent a low cross in and Dylan Williams tapped home at the far post.

Sykes sent a fine near post header off the underside of the crossbar as the pressure slowly began to grow, and they gave themselves the slimmest of chances 10 minutes from time.

A corner was swung in and Dumas was on hand to drive home.

Astonishingly, five minutes later it was all square. Substitute Harrison Chatting sent his low effort across the face of goal and Callum Ibe drove into the goal.

But despite a spate of late half-chances, the ball wouldn’t go in for Canvey as they were relegated for the first time in 20 years.

Canvey Island: Gough, Pitty, Dumas, Merrifield (Ibe 60’), Allen, Sheehan, Gilbey, Blackman, Sykes, Thomas (Chatting 60’), Agyakwa (Lawson 60’)