Relegation-threatened Chesham's hopes of finding Canvey in charitable mood following the realistic ending of their title hopes in midweek proved unfounded.

Despite having to make two changes from the defeat by Aldershot, the Islanders proved far too strong for a visiting side now in real danger of going down.

Good football was difficult in the near gale-force wind which blew at Park Lane here, but the visitors spurned a decent chance in the first minute when Daniel Braithwaite broke clear on the left but shot weakly into the hands of home goalkeeper Danny Potter.

Gloved up : Chris Duffy looks for a way through against Chesham Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

Gulls went ahead when skipper Neil Gregory took advantage of indecision in the Chesham rearguard to shoot home a 17th-minute opener and, although Delroy Preddie in the visiting goal did well to foil Lee Boylan with a diving save, it was 2-0 after 31 minutes when defender Ben Chenery stabbed home from close range following Jeff Minton's free-kick from the left.

Chesham, unlucky when Andrew Scarlett crashed an effort against the woodwork, reduced the deficit from the penalty spot a minute before half-time, Grant Cooper shooting home after a handling offence.

However, with the wind in their favour on a bitterly cold afternoon, it was really only a question of how many Jeff King's men would win by.

Despite losing Ross Johnson, John Kennedy and Chenery with knocks at various stages, Canvey made sure it was virtually one-way traffic.

Boylan cracked home his 40th of the campaign in majestic style after 49 minutes and, although Gregory shot wide of an open goal on the hour when set-up by Boylan's cross, the fourth wasn't long in coming.

It duly arrived on the 71-minute mark when Ollie Berquez broke free, rounded Preddie, and shot into an open goal.

Published Monday, April 21, 2003

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