MARK Bentley has called on Sam Dulieu to ‘come out of his shell’ after scoring his first goal for Canvey Island.

Dulieu, who had made the step up from Benfleet’s Eastern Counties League Division One South outfit to feature with the Gulls, netted in the 4-1 Isthmian League Cup victory over Tilbury.

And boss Bentley was pleased to see the versatile Dulieu get his name on the scoresheet for the first time.

“Sam is one of the unfortunate players who I sometimes leave out even though he never lets me down,” said Bentley.

“He is a quiet lad and I want him to come out of his shell a bit.

“Sam is a local lad who loves his football and wants to play in every game, like every player, but he needs to be a bit more patient sometimes.

“I was delighted for him to score his first goal for the club.

“He was playing at right-back and he put a really good shift in.

“Hopefully he will take that kind of performance into our league campaign.”

Rob Lacey, another Benfleet star who has made the grade with Canvey, also impressed Bentley as the Gulls bounced back from their 3-0 Isthmian North humbling against Histon in style.

“After Saturday’s flat performance, I decided to use the game as an opportunity for those who were on the bench to stake a claim for a place in the squad,” added Bentley.

“Rob Lacey has given me a big headache because he was the best player on the pitch.

“It was a good performance in difficult conditions.

“Although there was no way for us to go through, Tilbury would have reached the knockout stages if they had beaten us and we dominated them.”

A Joe Burgess own goal put Canvey in front before quickfire goals from Dulieu and James White before half-time ensured the visitors in the ascendancy at Chadfields.

Although Ola Ogunwamide pulled a goal back for Tilbury, Tobi Joseph came off the bench to put the result beyond doubt.

The encounter brought the curtain down on the group stages of the Isthmian League Cup and Bentley feels changes may have to be made to the competition ahead of next season.

“At the start of the season, I was looking forward to being involved in the Isthmian League Cup because it meant we would be involved in more Tuesday night games,” admitted Bentley.

“But only one team goes through out of a group of six and so that results in more dead rubbers. The league may have to look into that.”