Canvey Island began their pre-season build-up in winning style at Park Lane last night by capturing the notable scalp of Nationwide League Division Two club Colchester United.

A 20th-minute headed goal by Steve Parmenter following a corner settled the issue in front of a 300-plus crowd.

Both sides used large squads and, although the frequent changes on personnel made flowing football difficult, Gulls and the visitors produced some good moves and entertainment at times.

The Islanders gave new signings, defender Mick Bodley and striker Steve Clark, run-outs at various stages of the match and also had a couple of trialists in action.

One home man to immediately catch the eye was midfielder Chris Duffy, who joined the Park Lane set-up a year ago from Nationwide Conference outfit Northwich Victoria.

Duffy showed incredible sharpness so early in the friendly campaign and proved a constant threat to the visitors throughout.

Gulls continue their preparations for the forthcoming Ryman Premier Division season on Saturday when newly-promoted Nationwide League Division One outfit Gillingham come to the Island (3pm).

(Right) Hands off - Canvey midfield star Chris Duffy (right) gets to grips with a Colchester opponent during last night's Park Lane action

(Left) Outnumbered - Colchester (striped shirts) enjoyed numerical advantage in this tussle, but lost the pre-season friendly 1-0.

Pictures: MAXINE CLARKE

Don't panic - it was only a friendly

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette

Steve Whitton today urged Colchester United fans not to panic after watching his troops tumble to defeat at Canvey Island.

The U's lost 1-0 to the Ryman League premier division side in a pre-season friendly but manager Whitton said he was heartened by the performance.

He said: "The result isn't really important but it was a good opportunity to improve our fitness. It was a very good workout for us because Canvey Island were fired up and gave us a tough match.

"There's plenty of things we need to work on but overall I was pleased. It's still early days but I thought we made enough chances to win easily."

The U's started their pre-season build-up with a crushing 4-0 triumph at Cornard United on Saturday and Whitton used that match to field two teams, one in each half.

He employed a similar tactic last night in a match settled by Steve Parmenter's 25th-minute header and only striker Tony Lock played the full 90 minutes.

Trialist Richard Goddard, a towering defender, was included in the starting line-up while youngsters Lee Kersey, Ben Cranfield and Adam Swindells figured on a crowded substitutes' bench.

Gavin and Ross Johnson appeared in the second-half after missing the match at Cornard, but there was no place for Lomana Lua Lua, who suffered a leg injury last week.

The Zaire-born teenager is expected to join in training tomorrow (Thursday).

Whitton added: "We treated the match as a training exercise and it was an excellent opportunity for some of the younger lads to show what they're capable of.

"The two lads up front worked their socks off and I was really pleased with Karl Duguid's contribution."

Midfielder Jason Dozzell hobbled away from the action after suffering a knock in training this week.

He said: "I was struggling before the game after picking up an ankle injury but it's nothing serious. It felt sore during the first-half so it was just a question of getting through to the break.

"The match was a good workout for us. We've still got a bit to do, in terms of sharpness, but we've got time to work on things like that before August 12."

Neil Gregory, the U's record-signing who moved to Park Lane last season, played for Canvey in the first-half, while new signings Mick Bodley and Steve Clark figured for the Gulls.

"Steve McGavin also played well and always wanted the ball, which is good to see. Simon Clark had a solid game and it was good to see Ross and Gavin back in action."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.