This mouth-watering challenge against in-form Canvey was reduced to a farce by the gusting, swirling wind powering straight down the nearby Thames estuary.

The crossfield sowesterly was the only real winner, nullifying this contest as a spectacle, seemingly picking up high balls at will, and sending them wherever it pleased.

Boreham Wood shaded the first half in terms of possession, indeed Leon Bell sent in the first shot of the game on 10 minutes.

After 17 minutes Corey Browne held the ball up well in midfield, allowing Jude Stirling to break forward receiving a fine pass while heavily marshalled.

Stirling's shirt was almost pulled off his back as he ran into the penalty area, with referee Pollard playing the advantage. Keeper Harrison came out and dived at the feet of Stirling, who went to earth via the raised arm of the Canvey keeper, who saw red for his efforts.

Reserve keeper Potter took his position between the posts; Woods Browne picked his moment, waiting patiently for the relentless wind to leave the ball stationary on the penalty spot. When Browne finally picked his spot, Potter dived to his right to save well from the Wood man.

Noel Imber remained alert in the Wood goal, often called upon by mother nature to guess the trajectory of some far post crosses, which ended up testing the keepers agility at the near post!

Canvey took the lead on the half-hour, through goalscoring machine Lee Boylan. Running on unmarked to a central through ball from Dobinson, he advanced to the penalty spot before coolly dispatching his 31st goal of the season.

Minutes later Dominic Grime, who was busy all afternoon on the right flank linked up with Mark Preston to centre for Bell whose dipping effort crashed against the crossbar.

Manager Micky Engwell threw Marvin Walker into attack for the second half, aiming to take advantage against the ten men of Canvey.

However it was the home side who were first to the ball, with Gary Dixon and Walker rarely outjumping the organised Canvey defence.

Stirling continued to ooze class in midfield, setting up Dominic Grime, whose shot was carried off in the gale.

Then strong running by Dixon forced a corner, which Bell and the wind sent into the stands on the opposite side of the ground!

Boylan continued to threaten for Canvey, sending a low shot just wide of Imber's post.

In the 74th minute, a central free kick conceded by Nick Grime was dispatched to the far post by Minton, with Gregory's headed effort going just wide.

Scott Honeyball and Gary Wotton had solid games at the back, affording Imber protection, and giving the Wood enough possession to challenge the in-form Essex side, although Micky Engwell must feel let down by his teams overall second-half performance.

WOOD: Imber, D Grime, N Grime (Salih, 90mins), Wotton, Honeyball, Stirling, Walker, Preston, Dixon, Browne, Bell. Subs (not used): Whittington, OConnell, Munn.

Canvey Island 1

Boreham Wood 0

Ryman Premier League