As the festive season loomed large, I decided to travel East towards Canvey Island, to see an Isthmian League Premier Division fixture at a new ground, Park Lane, home of Canvey Island FC.

Park Lane, as well as sharing a name with the most sought after street in Monopoly, has a maximum capacity of 4500, with seating for 500. The club moved to Park Lane in 1962 and the ground benefits from a large clubhouse, floodlighting, refreshment stands and covered standing areas on one side of the ground, as well as one large covered grandstand and a large open terrace. The record attendance at Park Lane, of 3553, came against Aldershot Town in the 2002-03 season.

The home side, managed since 2021 by Brad Wellman, have had a positive first half of the season and came into today’s game sitting in ninth place, just outside the play off spots, with 28 points from 19 games. Goals this season, for “the Gulls”, as Canvey Island FC are nick-named, have come from Chris Harris (7 goals), Jaxon Brown and Bradley Sach (both 6 goals).

Horsham FC sit four places lower than Canvey Island, but in a tight league this represents just a two point difference and “the Hornets” have a game in hand. Manager Dominic Di Paolo, who is entering his tenth year in charge, would have come into today’s game hopeful of an away win which would have seen his side emerge as play-off contenders. Horsham FC would have been looking to top scorers, Chris Dickson (12 goals), Daniel Ajakaiye and Reece Myles-Meekums (both 6 goals) to fire them to the points today.

Canvey Island began positively, dominating play and exciting the loud home support with early chances.

After the lively opening the game went quiet, with most of the action taking place in a packed midfield. Neither side looked like breaking the deadlock before the break, so as the whistle went, the teams remained tied at 0-0.

The second half saw Horsham win more possession and create a range of openings as Shamir Fenelon put run after run in to pressure the Canvey back line, in the high winds and heavy rain that had erupted.

The addition of Chris Dickson, Horsham’s top scorer, as a substitute in the 68th minute, gave hope that a goal might come and within seconds the away side had a chance which should have broken the deadlock.

Then in the 74th minute, Horsham FC were ahead. Charlie Hester-Cook found space from a corner to calmly nod the ball home and send the travelling away fans into a chorus of singing.

With a minute of the 5 extra minutes, added at the end of normal time, by the referee, Canvey Island were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Conor Hubble who sadly, for the home side, saw his shot saved by Lewis Carey in the Horsham FC goal.

Seconds later the referee blew up for fulltime and it was Horsham whose players and fans went away with three points and the momentum going into the festive period. Canvey Island FC may well regret this missed opportunity as they push for play off spots later in the season. The crowd of 301 who braved the wind, rain and seasonal traffic had seen a hard fought game.