CANVEY Island boss Mark Bentley has called on his side to build momentum ahead of next week’s derby with Bowers & Pitsea.

The Gulls welcome Witham Town, who prop up the Isthmian North table, to the Frost Hire Stadium just seven days before going head-to-head with table-topping Bowers.

And, having claimed a 4-0 victory over Felixstowe & Walton United last time out, Canvey chief Bentley is looking to pick up back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

“It was a fantastic win against Felixstowe and, without being disrespectful to them, we could have scored seven or eight goals because we were dominant from start to finish,” said Bentley.

“I was really pleased after the win but my attentions turned straight to Witham after the game.

“This is the type of game we haven’t been winning this season and so I have been drilling it into the boys that they have to have the right application and mentality.

“If we perform how we did against Felixstowe, then there is no reason why we won’t get a positive result this weekend.”

Canvey, who are 10th in the standings and nine points off the play-off places, are likely to be without Jordan Brown and Josh Hutchinson tomorrow.