Poulson hails rising star Donaldson after wonder save

MANAGER Dave Poulson hailed rising star Archie Donaldson after the goalkeeper pulled off a wonder save to help earn FC Stratford a vital 2-0 victory over CT Shush last Saturday.

With Stratford leading 1-0, the 17-year-old produced a moment of brilliance to deny Shush a second-half equaliser.

Shush striker Gregg Phillips unleashed a volleyed effort from just six yards out only for Donaldson to get a strong hand to the shot to push the ball around the post.

The save arrived at a critical time following a sustained period of Shush pressure and Poulson said: “He is just unbelievable.

“We knew they’d come out second half and give it a good go and they had one really good chance to equalise, but Archie has pulled off a wonder save for us.

“He’s probably saved our season there as I don’t think we’d have recovered from that. Where would we have gone if we’d only got a point from that?”

Donaldson has started in FC Stratford’s last nine games, claiming three man-of-the-match awards in his last four.

Poulson believes the Stratford Town Youth product is more than capable of playing at a higher level if he is given his chance.

“What Archie needs is someone to pick him up and give him the coaching he needs for the next level — he is that good,” said Poulson.

“If somebody gets hold of him, he’s going to be top class. It would be such a waste of a talent if he didn’t go on and play at a higher level.”

James Gifford had put Stratford ahead early on and Matthew Pemberton’s deflected effort sealed the points in the 75th minute.