Biggleswade Town assistant boss Brett Donnelly has hailed ‘unbelievable’ Peter Clark after the midfielder completed the Waders’ comeback in their 2-1 FA Trophy victory over Harrow Borough on Saturday.
The Waders fell back into old habits in the first-round qualifying game, conceding inside a minute and struggling to find their feet early on.
However, goals from Jonny McNamara and Clark in the 78th and 82nd minutes sent the Waders into the second qualifying round.
Clark was signed from St Ives Town in August, and the 22-year-old quickly made an impact in centre-midfield, with his intelligent runs and dogged desire earning him a regular spot in Lee Allinson’s talented XI.
Speaking to CometSport, Allinson’s assistant, Donnelly - who doubles as a battling centre-forward - said: “Peter’s been brilliant, he’s surprised me.
“His energy is infectious, he must run 20 miles a game. The other lads see him running around and do the same.
“He’s very down to earth, unassuming, quiet and he loves his football. Missing an open goal against Banbury United got to him, so I’m delighted he scored the winner on Saturday.
“He’s played a lot of games at this level, he wanted to come to us and we took a chance on him and it’s worked out really well.”
The early goal scored by Ryan Moss was the first conceded by the Waders in six games.
However, Donnelly said they were determined both to impress legendary Waders boss Chris Nunn - who was at Langford Road for the first time since ending his 12-year reign in May - and to avenge their first-round qualifying FA Cup exit, falling 2-1 to Chesham United in September.
Donnelly said: “We limped out of the FA Cup and at half-time on Saturday we said we didn’t want to limp out of this.
“It’s a tough competition, there’s no easy games because we’re at the second lowest tier in the competition.
“We huffed and puffed and in the last 25 minutes we were brilliant. I think there was only ever going to be one winner.”
The Waders have drawn Hendon away in the second round of the Trophy. James Gray’s side are third and in-form in the Evo-Stik Southern League South, and a tight and fiery game is expected on the 10th November.
On Saturday the Waders travel to fifth placed Leiston - a game Donnelly will miss after being sent-off following what he described as a ‘coming together’ in the 3-0 win over Coalville Town - as they look to defend their unbeaten record against a side Donnelly says are ‘up there for a reason.’
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