With their great FA Cup run over, Canvey Island could hardly return to Ryman League Premier Division action with a more intriguing game than tomorrow's home clash with St Albans.

For, after a poor start to the season, the Hertfordshire side are swiftly moving into a position to be one of Gulls' main rivals for the Ryman League Premier Division title.

Since ex-Billericay Town boss John Kendall took over at Clarence Park in the autumn, the Saints are undefeated in 12 out of 13 matches and, in all competitions, have won eight times on the trot on opposition territory.

Not that the Islanders are in any mood to let that record continue tomorrow as they aim to get back on the trail of their number one priority this season - winning the championship and, hopefully, elevation to the Nationwide Conference.

Said coach Glenn Pennyfather: "As soon as the game was over at Southend last Sunday we were immediately talking about how we'd got to put the fabulous Cup run behind us.

"It's been absolutely superb for everyone at the club, players, management, officials and fans, but that's all behind us now.

"We have three very tough League games coming up in the next 11 days as we visit local rivals Billericay tomorrow week and then host Gravesend on Boxing Day. It's vital we get back on track in the League for what looks like being a very tight title race."

Manager Jeff King and Pennyfather will definitely be without defender-cum-midfielder Peter Smith tomorrow as he underwent a successful shoulder ligament operation on Monday.

Mark Stimson, who performed outstandingly on his return to former club Southend on Sunday faces a late test on a groin injury.

One decision for the home camp centres on whether they start the game with record Ryman League striker Steve Clark, who scored well over 300 goals for St Albans in nine seasons before joining the Park Lane set-up in the summer.

His starting appearances at Canvey have been very limited due to the top form of Neil Gregory and Wayne Vaughan, but away to St Albans in the second match of the season he scored twice in a thrilling 4-1 win.

With Christmas just over a week away, tomorrow is traditionally a bad day for attendances with many fans being "dragged away" for Christmas shopping rather than watch a game.

But home officials are hoping that a large turnout of Canvey supporters will be at tomorrow's match to pay tribute to the heroes who served them so well in that Cup run.

There will be plenty of reminders of the great moments. Videos of both Port Vale games plus the Southend tie will be on sale plus copies of the souvenir match programme of the Roots Hall game.

And, with the end of the year 2000 approaching, Gulls' first ever calendar, produced in association with the Evening Echo, is proving a popular buy.

Danger - Steve Clark scored twice for Canvey against his old club in the visit to St Albans in August

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

By Dick Marshall

Reporter's e-mail: dick.marshall@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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