MATCH PREVIEW: CANVEY ISLAND VS CONCORD RANGERS

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 Match Preview 

Canvey Island vs Concord Rangers 

 

Founded: 1926 

Stadium: Park Lane (Capacity: 4,100) 

Colours: Yellow and Blue 


Concord rangers pre-season gets underway this Saturday with a short trip to Park Lane to take on local rivals and recently promoted Canvey Island.  


The Islanders won promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division last season following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Brentwood Town in the Isthmian League North Division playoff final, following a 1-1 draw after extra time.  


Similarly, to Concord, Canvey have also competed in an FA Trophy final this century. In 2001 The Gulls beat Forest Green Rovers 1-0 to win the FA Trophy in front of over 10,000 spectators at Villa Park.  


Three years later in 2004 The Islanders returned to Villa Park for yet another FA Trophy final.

However, on this occasion The Gulls came home empty handed as a late Chris Brindley goal gave Hendesford Town a 3-2 win over Canvey.  


In 2004 Canvey won promotion to the fifth tier of English football. After two seasons manager Jeff King took a voluntary relegation to the Isthmian Division One North, due to poor attendances which had resulted in a lack of investment.  


In 2012 Canvey won the Essex Senior Cup thanks to a 1-0 win over Colchester United.  

  

Key Player  

Evans Kouassi  

 

A former Beach Boy, Kouassi was Canvey’s top scorer last season with the Ivorian netting an impressive 34 goals in 57 appearances.  


The 33-year-old has played for a host of clubs including: Chelmsford City, Hayes & Yeading, Bishop’s Stortford and Wealdstone, before moving to Park Lane in 2020 from Heybridge Swifts.  


Kouassi signed a new contract in the summer after playing an instrumental role in Canvey’s promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division last season; the experienced striker picked up an assist in the playoff final and scored a penalty in the shootout.  

  

Manager 

Brad Wellmen 

 

Wellmen was appointed manager of the Islanders in November 2021 following the departure of previous manager Mark Bentley, who left Park Lane to become a coach at Southend United.  


Prior to his appointment as first team manager, Wellmen had been assistant since 2017.  

Before arriving at Canvey, Wellmen had spent 16 years coaching American side Chicago Fire.  

  

They’ve played for both 

Melvin Minter 

 

Concord’s only signing of the summer so far this season will be a familiar face for the Park Lane faithful.  


Minter had a brief spell with Canvey following his departure from Brentford Under 21’s in 2013, making a handful of appearances for the Islanders. 


The 27-year-old has since played for: Hendon, Farnborough, Hanwell Town, Harrow Borough, Whitehawk, Kings Langley, Darlington and Harrogate Town.  


Minter joined the Beach Boys from National League side Chesterfield in the summer.  

  

Rob Girdlestone  

 


The 26-year-old centre back was ever present for Canvey last season, appearing 40 times in all competitions for the Islanders.  


Girdlestone came through the youth ranks at West Ham United before switching the claret and blue of West Ham for the claret and white of Chelmsford City.  


After two years in North Essex Girdlestone left the Clarets for Concord. During his time with the Beach Boys, the defender picked up Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year.  


In 2018 Girdlestone joined Maldon & Tiptree and was part of The Jammers side that stunned Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.  


In the summer of 2020 Girdlestone joined Canvey and was part of a mean defence that only conceded 42 times last term.  

  

Odei Martin  

 

The Spanish midfielder joined Canvey from Concord this summer following a successful loan spell at Park Lane last season. 


Martin started his career with Spanish side Indartsu before moving to Heybridge Swifts in 2018. The 25-year-old helped the Swifts to the Isthmian North Playoff Final in his first season. 

 

After two years at the Scraley Road Stadium, Martin moved to Concord and was part of the Beach Boys side that lost the 2020 FA Trophy final.  


Last season Martin was loaned out to Canvey, scoring four goals as the Spaniard helped Canvey to promotion, before making the move permanent this summer. 

 

Previous Meetings 

 

Date 

Home 

Score 

Away 

20/07/2021 

Canvey Island 

3-2 

Concord Rangers 

01/04/2013 

Canvey Island 

0-2 

Concord Rangers 

26/12/2012 

Concord Rangers 

3-0 

Canvey Island 

 

By Nathan Williams