Match report by John Mifsud.

Capital League Game: Canvey Island Reserves 1-0 Billericay Town Reserves (HT 1 - 0)
 
M&M opened their Capital League campaign by fielding perhaps their youngest ever Reserves side against a well fancied strong Canvey Island squad side.

With the Blues average age of only 17-18, they did incredibly well considering most of the players had lacked games, let alone played together.  Obviously, with nerves jumping around like Mexican jumping beans, it was no surprise when in the first couple of minutes they gave away a pointless free kick
on the edge of their own box, which in turn was easily converted unopposed!

But then (thank God) the lights switched on, and I don't mean the floodlights!  With the honeymoon period ending as quick as it started for Canvey, the young Blues brushed themselves down and began showing their hosts True Blue Steel.  But lets make no mistake, the first half mainly consisted of the youngsters containing this strong Canvey side who, to be fair to them, played some excellent football even on a night that felt like a hurricane had blown through Canvey Island, which at times spoiled what would have been a much better game.

The second half saw the wind to Billericay's back which took the pressure slightly off the Blues, pinning the hosts back into their own half.  This created various scoring opportunities for the youngsters which the Canvey Keeper did very well to keep a clean sheet watching a triple clearance off his goal line. Town were very unlucky not to get on level terms, nevertheless, Canvey edged it, and bagged all 3 points.
 
This years Capital League hosts some very strong sides and by the looks of the Canvey Squad, they should be one of them.  Also I wanted it noted they were great Hosts.
 
IMO we will have some exciting young Blues coming through and looking to make their mark for which I have no doubt, in time, they will !   
 
Team: Danny Fowler, Robert Field, Sam West, Connel Dunlop, Ryan O'Rawe, Dean Etchells (Randy Kasa 70m), Kofie Kessi (Tom Deval 70m), Ben Stanton (Paul Ashman 60m), Harrison Chatting, Mike Marsh, Luca Frankis.
Sub's not used: Lewis Lockyar