FOOTBALL

Waltham Abbey 0
Canvey Island 0
(Ryman North league) WALTHAM ABBEY earned a valuable point against Canvey Island that all but secures their Ryman League North status, writes Nick Hodgskin. Appalling weather - which included strong wind, bright sun and hail - made playing conditions almost impossible.

Canvey created the first opening on 15 minutes when Kevin Dobbinson met Steve Corbell's corner but he could not keep his header down from eight yards.

Abbots stopper John Hickman then produced a fantastic save, tipping John Gurran curling effort from 20 yards round the post.

The home side created their first real opening when Dean Perry broke down the right on 26 minutes.

He beat Andrew West and crossed for James Elmes, whose header went just wide from eight yards.

Hickman saved well again on 29 minutes after Corbell's free kick was cleared to Clyde Roberts, who struck the ball on the half volley straight at the Abbots keeper.

The man-of-the-match stopper then produced another save on 36 minutes. Roberts released Gurran through the centre and the striker appeared to have chipped Hickman but the keeper stood firm and managed to tip the ball wide.

At the other end, Abbey forced James Russell to make his first save of the game, stopping Elmes header low to his right just before half-time.

Nicky Rugg then had an excellent chance 30 seconds after the re-start but he could not hit the target from ten yards after an excellent cross from Nicky Bur.

Canvey then created the best chance of the game on 52 minutes.

Leon Gordon broke down the right and his cross found Rugg free in the area but the striker somehow put his shot wide from 12 yards.

As the hail fell Abbey began to play some attractive football and just after the hour they should of gone in front when Mark Karagul put his header wide from Elmes excellent cross.

Two minutes later Marc Sontag should have done better when free in the area but missed controlled and allowed Russell to gather the lose ball.

With five minutes remaining Bur cut in from the right but his left-foot curling strike was well saved low to Russell's right.

Gordon then had a shot deep into added time, but Hickman saved well to see out Abbey's third home stalemate of the season.

Waltham Abbey: Hickman, Veares, Page, White, Meusah, Ayres, Elmes, Karagul (Sheehan), Sontag, Perry, Bur