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The FA cup doesn’t just begin when the Premier League teams enter in the 3rd Round proper. It began in summer with the First Qualification Round and one pre qualifying round before.
In the truest traditions of the grassroots tournament, we are following a side from the outset and hope to stay with them and be at their games, or those of the side who eliminate them, all the way to Wembley.
This site already sponsors the manager of Carlisle City, James Nichols. So in the interests of geographical balance, we selected a club at the other end of the nation, Portsmouth’s own Moneyfields FC. Our assistant editor Conor Smith claims to have played against their reserves for Netley which may have influenced our choice.
The decision was cemented by their opposition Aylesbury United. The Ducks are a club with an FA Cup pedigree, who currently play their home games in Chesham, agonisingly far from their own Buckinghamshire home town, but agonisingly close to Wembley which is where this story ends next May.
So we started our series, “Moneyfields to Wembley“ with their visit to Aylesbury United, the Ducks, now playing their home games at the Meadows, home of Chesham United.
The Moneys however lost to London’s oldest club Cray Wanderers. Wanderers went to the West Country on October 17th and won through on penalties against Bristol Manor Farm. Cray then travelled to Canvey Island in a quest to achieve reaching the First Round Proper for the first time in their 160 year history.
That game saw us change over to cover Canvey from the Fourth Qualifying Round to the Second Round where they took on Boreham Wood in search of returning to the Third Round for the first time since 2001.
Canvey Island players walking off in disappointment after their 3-0 defeat to Boreham Wood. Photo: Andy Wilkins
Canvey Island 0 : 3 Boreham Wood
Canvey Island were unable to carry on their fine run in the FA Cup with a 3-0 defeat endured to National League Boreham Wood under the BT Sport cameras on Monday night at Park Lane.
The game in itself started very evenly despite Boreham Wood offering the majority of possession and it was actually the visitors who were winless in four league games. Boreham Wood did take the lead with nine minutes of the game played as Kabongo Tshimanga drove into the Canvey penalty area from the right wing before managing to strike into the bottom corner.
Canvey no doubt tried to get back into the game but these efforts were flickered when the Wood managed to capitalise on their lead in the 28th minute through a strike from Kane Smith. A chance that on another day might’ve not gone in.
However despite the scoreline reading 2-0, the hosts continued to press ahead as Evans Kouassi, Elliot Ronto and Connor Hubble all tried to create chances. Meanwhile, Michael Finneran and Jamie Salmon were attempting to keep the likes of Matt Rhead and his fellow attackers at bay.
Evans Kouassi in action for Canvey Island. Photo: Andy Wilkins
Canvey ‘keeper Bobby Mason had been the star of the show throughout the Gulls’ run through to the Second Round and he was able to oversee a good save 10 minutes after Boreham’s second. A counter-attack led by Kabongo Tshimanga ended in a strike from Sorba Thomas, whose shot from the edge of the penalty area was parried away by Mason.
The former-Great Wakering keeper improved five minutes before the half time whistle came along when saving former-Billericay Town and Lincoln City man Matt Rhead’s header.
The teams returned back from the changing rooms in what felt like now colder conditions than that they had left. Many of the Canvey fans who were peering over to watch the game from the seawall end of the Park Lane ground also returned once more.
On 61 minutes, Bobby Mason was yet again at the heart of the dramatics as he was able to force a Sorba Thomas free kick over the bar. Yet again, highlighting his remarkable talent available on offer in front of the BT Sport cameras.
Canvey themselves finally were able to create their first shot on target just a matter of six minutes later through Australian and former Heybridge Swifts man Elliott Ronto. His effort from the outside of the penalty area forced a good stop from former-Portsmouth youth keeper Nathan Ashmore.
Boreham continued much of the second half like they had done in the first with vast amounts of possession. The valliant Canvey defence held strong with the occasional returning play created by wing backs Jey Siva and Dan Humphries.
In due time, Canvey were able to strike a threat to their National League opponents after replacing defender Rob Girdlestone for attacking midfielder and Canvey veteran Harrison Chatting however despite their best efforts, Boreham were still able to cut out any major chances.
The closest the Gulls came to scoring was the 79th minute when Evans Kouassi linked up with substitute and new signing from Concord Rangers, Ryan Charles, however his shot from the edge of the penalty area was made straight at Ashmore who saved without any major problems.
Boreham managed to grab a third and final goal in the 83rd minute as Matt Rhead’s header was unable to be kept out by Mason. He celebrated whilst looking at the Canvey fans who had trying to distract him all night.
Matt Rhead (centre) was able to score for Boreham Wood their third goal of the game. Photo: Andy Wilkins
The full time whistle came along and sealed Boreham Wood’s path into the Third Round of the FA Cup where they will host Millwall of the Championship at Meadow Park in January.
The result means that the National League opponents are in the Third Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history. A great achievement no doubt to be part of.
Canvey can hold their heads up knowing they did well throughout the game and especially in the second half and also proud of their run made.
Analysis from Non-League Correspondent Andy Wilkins
What has been a brilliant cup run for Canvey it has been and more so for the first time in over 15 years that they’ve been able to reach the First and Second Rounds of the FA Cup has unfortunately come to an end on Monday night.
Canvey Island fans weren’t able to replicate viewing the game in the stands like when they hosted Cray Wanderers in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round so this was the next best alternative. Photo: Andy Wilkins
Whilst Canvey players, officials and fans alike will feel proud of what they’ve achieved over the last few months in the competition, it will be hard for some of them knowing that they have been deprived of a home tie with Championship side Millwall in January. They can hold their head high knowing they were the last Essex club to be evicted from the tournament this season. A title that is often given to Southend United or Colchester United who both play in the EFL.
Boreham didn’t show any major class despite the scoreline potentially suggesting otherwise to the outsider. It was three chances, three goals for them and if you don’t take your chances, then you might dwell on them in the future no doubt.
For Canvey, they’ve got a few weeks of preparation before returning to Isthmian North action whilst for Boreham Wood, its back to business in the coming week as they look to finally end their winless run in the National League following this win.
Canvey Island: Bobby Mason, Dan Humphreys, Jey Silva (Capt), Jamie Salmon, Michael Finneran, Rob Girdlestone (Harrison Chatting 64’), Elliott Ronto, Conor Hubble (Rob Lacey 90’), Tobi Joseph (Ryan Charles 78’), Evans Kouassi, Mason Hall
Subs not used: Louie Hunt, Ben Sampayo, Tom Blackwell, Cameron Harris
Boreham Wood: Nathan Ashmore, Tom Champion (Capt), Jamal Fyfield, Femi Ilesanmi, Gus Mafuta, Keiran Murtagh (Adam McDonnell 90+2’), Kane Smith, Zaine Francis-Angol, Sorba Thomas, Matt Rhead, Kabongo Tshimanga
Subs not used: Ryan Huddart, Danny Woodards, David Stephens, Piero Mingoia, Shaquile Coulthirst
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