Stevenage Boro 3 Canvey Island 0 BORO laid one bogey to rest on Tuesday night as they beat Canvey for the first time in their Conference history. In truth, it was a comfortable victory against the lacklustre visitors at a freezing Broadhall Way. Most in t

Stevenage Boro 3 Canvey Island 0

BORO laid one bogey to rest on Tuesday night as they beat Canvey for the first time in their Conference history.

In truth, it was a comfortable victory against the lacklustre visitors at a freezing Broadhall Way.

Most in the ground would probably have wished they had stayed in the warm to watch Arsenal play Real Madrid during a dour first 45 minutes.

Both teams struggled with fluidity as chances were at a premium.

Eric Obinna, making his full debut, partnered Darryn Stamp in attack and the frontline were fairly effectual for the first half.

An awful beginning saw the sides fail to create a single opportunity in the opening 15 minutes.

The banality was broken in unexpected fashion when captain Rob Quinn swung in a cross and Dino Maamria stooped to score for the second time in four days.

Even though the ball went in the corner, it seemed a soft goal and goalkeeper Richard McKinney and his defenders appeared culpable.

McKinney also made hard work of saving Stamp's shot minutes later. His efforts were not acknowledged however as referee Bull pointed for a goal-kick instead!

Canvey's only effort of the first 40 minutes was a header wide from the portly Neil Gregory.

But they could easily snatched an equaliser in the five minutes before the break with a trio of chances.

Ben Sedgemore had two of them, skidding a shot just past Alan Julian's post and then heading just wide of the opposite upright.

In between, Kezie Ibe got away with a clear handball before forcing Julian into a routine save.

Boro needed a lift and it was provided by a double switch at the break - Jefferson Louis and Canvey Island old boy Ollie Berquez on for Stamp and Mickey Warner.

It was still Canvey who threatened first, Mario Noto curling a clever effort just past the post.

The vital second goal for Boro arrived on 54 minutes when a superb cross from Obinna, who looked far sharper during the second period, was met by the head of Louis.

Louis also went close to his second and Boro's third just after the hour mark.

Boro were now in control and apart from a caution for Adam Miller against his former club, it was plain sailing for the rest of the match.

George Boyd, so influential in the England National Game XI's 3-1 win over the Italians last Wednesday, added the late gloss.

He sent most of the Canvey back four the wrong way with a body swerve before hammering a low shot into the far corner three minutes from the end.