Ryman Premier

Canvey Island 0, Kingstonian 1

DANNY Heale was left angry with the referee and his own striker Simon Thomas as his reign as Canvey manager started with a defeat.

The Gulls boss shared the popular view that referee Elliott Kaye gave K’s a very soft spot kick after Andre McCollin tumbled in the presence of defender Rob Bartley in the 12th minute.

McCollin, though, did not look the gift horse in the mouth as he stroked the resulting kick calmly inside the Dale Brightly’s left-hand post for what would prove to be the winning goal.

Heale said: “I don’t think anyone in the ground thought their one was a penalty – I think only the ref thought that, and I don’t think he had the best of games.

“Rob Bartley’s gone for the ball and he’s told me he got it, and from my angle it looked like he’d got it and their player has thrown himself down to win a soft penalty.

“It was the only chance they created all game so we’re a bit gutted really because the boys put in a decent performance. But we’ll move on.”

Heale also revealed that Thomas had gone against his orders by taking and wasting Canvey’s own penalty on the hour mark – when the taker should have been Tyron Smith.

Thomas won the spot kick when he burst clean through on goal and was shoved in the back by left-back Marcus Moody, who was shown a straight red card for the foul.

Thomas’ kick was well saved by Rob Tolfrey, diving low to his left, and the K’s keeper completed his heroics by quickly regaining his feet to push Jay Curran’s follow-up around the post, when it looked certain he would score.

Heale said: “I made a decision that Tyron Smith was to be our penalty taker and that’s what should have happened.

“I’ve spoken to Simon Thomas in the changing room after the match and let him know what the score is now on that.

“If I make a decision then the players have to stick by that decision. Tyron Smith will be on penalties in the future.”

It all made for a frustrating day for Heale, whose side were worth at least a point in front of an expectant opening-day crowd of 368 at the Prospects Stadium.

After K’s had taken the lead Canvey went incredibly close to a quick response, but Curran’s stab from Ashley Dumas’ cross hit the inside of the post and rolled away to safety.

Canvey continued to create the better chances, the best seeing Curran’s close-range effort blocked by Tolfrey, who also gratefully gathered Curran’s late free header as the visitors held on with 10 men.

But it wasn’t to be and Heale must steel his new side for a response tomorrow when they head to Cray, who lost 4-1 at Leiston on Saturday.

Heale said: “Leiston have spent a lot of money this summer, so I won’t read too much into that result. Cray are always a good footballing side and we’ll be ready for a tough game.”