Tyler Christian-Law’s attitude has been praised by Dartford boss Ady Pennock.

Christian-Law came out of the Darts’ starting line-up for their Isthmian Premier home match against Canvey Island last weekend.

Nevertheless, the ex-Faversham, Margate and Sittingbourne midfielder still contributed, sealing a 2-0 win with Dartford’s second goal on 81 minutes.

Pennock said: “I left Tyler out of the starting line-up after he had started the first two games.

“When I left him out, I explained to him face-to-face the reasons why.

“He understood the reasons, didn’t sulk and came off the bench and made a difference.

“That’s what you want.

“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want people to be happy when they’re not in the starting XI but he showed he’s a good character.

“He’s great to have around the place and he’s very important to have around the youngsters because he does talk very well, on and off the pitch. I was pleased with how he reacted.

“As a manager, it’s all about people’s reactions. I do look for that.

“The same with George Whitefield. He had started the last two games, I left him out and he took it.

“He came off the bench on Saturday - I know only for a couple of minutes - but it’s a long season.

“The boys have got to realise I’m not playing people for the sake of it. There’s a reason why people are starting or a reason why they’re on the bench.

“But I was pleased with what I saw from both of those boys.”

Pennock felt Dartford were the better side against Canvey Island. It was a view he shared the previous midweek when Darts lost 1-0 at home to Potters Bar.

But they made their dominance count against Canvey at the weekend.

Pennock reflected: “It was a very good win on Saturday, especially bouncing back after last Tuesday.

“It was important that we came back and got a positive result.

“We played really well on Tuesday, we just couldn’t score. It was one of those games, especially in the second half, where we were camped in their half.

“We hit the crossbar, their keeper was good and they defended very well. Obviously, we were disappointed with the result but the performance was very good.

“It just shows that we’re learning. We took on board lessons and showed that on Saturday.

“I wasn’t overly-pleased with the first half but, in the second half, we stepped it up and scored two very good goals.”

Christian-Law netted after young defender Sam Odaudu turned in from a corner just after the hour mark during a man-of-the-match display.

“I’d heard good things about Sam a couple of years ago,” said Pennock, who joined the Darts in early March. “There were some Football League clubs watching him.

“Then, he fell away a little bit last season with some niggly little injuries but he has got everything.

“He has got pace and power, he has a wonderful left peg, and he’s a genuinely nice fella, as well. He has started the season really well.

“Like everybody, he had a really good pre-season. We’ve got him really fit, really lean and solid.

“He’s started the season well so long may that continue.

“He’s got the bit between his teeth, which is what we want, and we’re really pleased he got his goal on Saturday.”

The Darts now are preparing for a busy Bank Holiday weekend, which will see them visit Carshalton on Saturday before hosting Chatham in a Kent derby on Monday.

“Carshalton are really strong at home on their astro-turf,” said Pennock. “They’re an experienced side that plays some good football so it’ll be a big test.

“Obviously, we’re a young squad but we’re looking forward to it and then we have Chatham on Bank Holiday Monday.

“The next two games are exciting. There will be times where this will be a little bit of a roller-coaster season for us because we’re building from scratch and for the future.

“It’s not going to be win-win-win all season but, as long as we’re learning on the way, which I do believe we will, we’ll be okay because I have got a lot of faith in these boys.

“The changing room is excellent.

“There’s such a togetherness and that’s invaluable.”

Dartford have been drawn at home to Southern League Premier Division South side Marlow in the FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday, August 31.