Canvey Island coach Glenn Pennyfather had every right to be happy with the performance, but was disappointed by the result of last night's friendly defeat against Gillingham.

It's there - John Kennedy puts Canvey ahead from close range after 28 minutes Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

The Conference new-boys more than matched their Championship visitors for most of the game and led at the interval thanks to midfielder John Kennedy's goal.

But the Gills completed a classic smash-and-grab raid by netting twice in nine second-half minutes to leave Canvey beaten, but still upbeat.

"I can't believe we've lost to be honest," said Pennyfather. "But I've got to be happy. They are a Championship outfit who are only ten days away from starting their League campaign and we've more than matched them.

"The big plus for me was our shape. We played Lee Boylan up front as the lone striker, with five across the midfield, but it never restricted us as our movement was so good and we always had plenty of options.

"It was just a complete travesty that we lost."

Canvey took the lead after 28 minutes when Kennedy stabbed the ball home from close range at the far post after Boylan had helped on Keeling's left wing centre.

The Gills pulled level against the run of play on 63 minutes, when winger Matt Jarvis chested down a switched pass from the left-flank to race clear and roll the ball under Potter from twelve yards.

And nine minutes later, the Championship side's substitute hitman Mama Sidibe reacted quickest to slam the ball inside the right post following an unchallenged charge through the centre of the park from team mate Dean Beckwith.

Published Wednesday July 28, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo