CANVEY Island got their pre-season schedule off to a winning start as they recorded a 3-1 victory over Hornchurch.

George Purcell, Dan Humphreys and Ryan Melaugh found the back of the net to ensure Mark Bentley’s Gulls got the better of their Isthmian Premier League visitors at Park Lane.

The Urchins should have gone ahead inside the opening two minutes as Daniel Akindayini saw his shot saved by Lamar Johnson before the rebound fell kindly for him. With the goal at his mercy, Akindayini sent his follow-up effort wide of the target.

Purcell – making his Canvey bow following his summer move from Hornchurch – fired a warning shot which was blocked after being found by Ade Osifuwa’s cutback, while Humphreys saw his strike stopped by Urchins goalkeeper Joe Wright after the custodian’s poor clearance.

However, the Gulls were to break the deadlock with 21 minutes on the clock as Purcell turned and found the bottom corner of the net with an impressive long range strike.

And Canvey doubled their advantage three minutes later as Humphreys was on hand to round off a fine team move from close range.

Hornchurch went in search of a goal before the break but Lewwis Spence was thwarted by Lamar Johnson – who was making his debut following Harry Palmer’s midweek departure – while the goalkeeper then frustrated Akindayini on the stroke of half-time as his close range effort was stopped on the goal-line.

The interval saw numerous changes made by both sides and one of those who came on for the hosts, Kane Gilbert, would have pounced on a defensive error from Hornchurch were it not for Wright scampering quickly off his line.

The goalkeeper then had to divert a Melaugh free-kick around the post as the winger’s delivery threatened to find the top corner of the net.

Hornchurch halved the deficit on 67 minutes as a trialist bundled the ball home.

But Canvey ensured victory with three minutes remaining as Melaugh found the bottom corner of the net from 25 yards out.