Coulson Takes Confidence From Before FA Cup Calamity

Things were going so well for the Vanarama National League club in the first round of the FA Cup.

Going two goals up, they went into time added on in the first half looking as if they would grab headlines.

But as soon as the fourth official’s board went up, they went to pot. Two instant Donny goals made it 2-2 at half-time and soon as that blow was struck there really was only one winner.

The League One club eventually ran out 6-2 winners at Stonebridge Road but Coulson stressed it wasn’t all bad. They face Leyton Orient in the live BT Sport game on Saturday.

“Clearly there was disappointment with how the second half went last weekend,” said Coulson, who scored a fine goal to double their lead.

“But in football you have always have to try and take the positives from any difficult experience. They way we played in the first half before Doncaster scored in time added on shows the level we can play at.

“We were toe-to-toe with a League One team. More than toe-to-toe really. It’s a compliment to ourselves, but we have got to learn from the second half and what happened right at the end of the first.

“There was a huge amount of disappointment in the changing room. We felt like we blew a big chance.

“But what the gaffer said straight away to the players was that good teams bounce back. Leyton Orient gives us the opportunity to do that, not only because it’s our next game but because it’s against one of the biggest sides in Non-League and it’s on TV.

“There’s no better way that to move on from the FA Cup than by winning on Saturday night.”

Coulson looks like he is enjoying his football again. Deployed just behind Danny Kedwell against Doncaster, the attacking midfield thrived and scored a fantastic goal to put Fleet 2-0 up.

“I feel that’s my best position but I fully respect there are a lot of good players to fit in to this side,” he added.

“It gives me the freedom to go where I want and playing off someone as good as Kedwell is great - he is so clever, not only does he win the flick ons, but he finds your runs as well.

“I hope my goal can help us push on now and with a bit of luck get into the play-offs.”