Canvey Island carried on where they left off in their first outing since winning the FA Umbro Trophy at Villa Park just over two months ago.

In their first pre-season friendly of the new campaign they comprehensively outplayed their Dr Martens League Premier Division visitors.

Ryman Premier Gulls started the game with the outfield line-up which disposed of Forest Green Rovers in such great style in the Midlands in May.

The only change came in goal where Ashley Harrison, a virtual ever present last term, was out with a leg injury which could keep him out of the start of the new campaign.

Alexis Vizarelis, who played college soccer in America last season, came in between the sticks, one of four trialists used by the Island side during the 90 minutes.

One of them, striker Lee Boyland, really made his mark by coming on as a half-time substitute and grabbing two fine goals in little more than 90 seconds after being on the pitch for just five minutes.

After a nervy start, Gulls were soon in control and went ahead when wing-back John Kennedy bravely beat visiting goalkeeper Jimmy Glass to a 50-50 ball and lobbed it over him into the net after 14 minutes.

Glass earned his own place in soccer folklore two seasons ago by coming up to score the late goal which kept Carlisle in the Nationwide League in their final match of the campaign.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 when Steve Parmenter struck home a fine shot.

Parmenter soon afterwards picked up a dead leg after a clumsy challenge and was substituted by the talented Adam Miller as a precaution but, despite making wholesale changes at the break and during the second-half, Gulls generally held the upper hand.

In fact their dominance was so total that keeper Vizarelis had little to do for long spells until called into action in the latter stages.

Although then beaten three minutes from time by a Robbie Collins close range header, he did excel with a great double save from one-time Chelmsford City favourite Steve Restrict and Danny Carroll.

Canvey continue their build-up tomorrow (Tuesday) when Foresters Essex Senior League Bowers United, managed by ex-Park Lane favourite Brian Horne, are the visitors (7.30pm).

One on one - Ben Chenery (left), who scored the FATrophy winner, feels the force of a challenge

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

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