Justin Donawa believes he is tailor made for the English game and is learning to fully exploit his natural gifts as he aims to reach the Football League.The pacy winger has been a revelation since joining the Vanarama National League North side Darlington, notching nine goals already this term.His eye-catching displays have not gone unnoticed by teams higher up the league ladder, with Alun Armstrong, the Darlington manager, insisting the Bermudian will “not go cheap” if he is to leave the County Durham outfit.Although Donawa is solely focused on helping Darlington finish the season strongly, he admits his long-term goal is to join compatriots Nahki Wells, Reggie Lambe, Jonté Smith and Nathan Trott in the top tiers of the English football pyramid.“I’ve hit the ground running at Darlington and I couldn’t have asked for a better season so far,” said Donawa, whose side are eleventh in the table.“It’s been a whole new environment in a different country and I wasn’t used to the football over here. I’m over the moon about the start I’ve had, scoring nine goals, and I hope there are plenty more to come.“My ambition now is to help Darlington finish as high up the table and push for the play-offs and hopefully promotion.“As for my long-term goal, I definitely want to play in the Football League and I’m trying to do best every single day.“Throughout the past two years, I’ve made a lot of strides in terms of my personal development. I’m not trying to rush things, but hopefully by the summer I would have made some strides to achieving that dream.”Despite being cut loose by Columbus Crew soon after being picked up in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft, Donawa refused to give up his professional dreams and decided to try his luck in England.The setback proved to be a blessing in disguise for the 23-year-old, as he believes his considerable physical attributes are better suited to the cut and thrust of the English game.“I went to the MLS draft and that didn’t really go too well,” Donawa said. “Thankfully, I was able get an opportunity at Darlington and impress during preseason. It felt right and I was like, ‘OK, this is a step in the right direction.“My athleticism definitely sets me apart from a lot of footballers over here. I have an athletic background and I’m very quick, or so I have been told over the years, and that really helps in my position.“Having been a triple jumper in my youth, that also allows me to win a lot of headers. It’s weird because it’s something I’ve never really taken full advantage of before. “However, when I came over here they told me that’s something I had to use to the best of my abilities.“I’m learning to hold my own and I don’t like to get bullied. I like to think I can stand my ground with the ball at my feet. It’s been a good transition.”Donawa believes his “football IQ” has improved considerably under Armstrong, a former Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough forward, who has encouraged the former Somerset Trojans man to play to his strengths.“Every game, Alun tells me just use what I’ve got,” Donawa added. “I just have to believe in myself and learn how to do that more efficiently and be smarter.“I thank Alun for that because he’s definitely taught me how to use what I’ve got.“That’s really helped my confidence and made me realise that I didn’t do that enough in the past.”Another aspect of Donawa’s game that has become more refined is his finishing.“I’ve started to feel a lot more confident in front of goal and that wasn’t always the case when I was at college [Dartmouth College in New Hampshire] or with the national team,” he said.“I’ve gone through a good scoring spell at Darlington and know I can score goals. “I always try and take the positives from every game, but if I don’t score, then I’m not really happy.”