MARK Bentley is backing Jason Hallett to earn Canvey Island more prize money when they get their FA Trophy campaign underway this weekend.

The Gulls are set to visit Isthmian Southern Central outfit Welwyn Garden City in the extra preliminary round of the competition tomorrow.

Having already grabbed the winning goal in FA Cup replays against Waltham Abbey and St Ives Town, Hallett has banked the club £11,250 in prize money despite only returning to Park Lane last month.

And Bentley is pleased with the striker’s impact.

“I saw a tweet earlier in the week saying that he has won us lots of money with his forehead, which seems an odd fact,” said the Canvey chief.

“But he is in the team to score goals and he is a match-winner.

“We know he is a good finisher and he, alongside George Purcell, is a handful for defenders.

“He has been in good form since joining us last month and hopefully he will be able to get another important goal this weekend because Welwyn Garden City are a difficult side to face.”

While Canvey have made an encouraging start to Bentley’s first full season in the hotseat, Welwyn Garden City have also impressed and are in the Isthmian Southern Central play-off places.