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Dover Athletic boss Mitch Brundle on the arrival of former Crystal Palace winger Brandon Pierrick

Former Premier League winger Brandon Pierrick is exactly the sort of exciting player Dover are eager to recruit, according to manager Mitch Brundle.

The 21-year-old ex-Crystal Palace man made his Whites bow in their 1-0 National League South win at Taunton last weekend, having signed last week.

Midfielder Jack Paxman has returned to Ebbsfleet after a loan spell at Dover. Picture: Ed Miller/EUFC
Midfielder Jack Paxman has returned to Ebbsfleet after a loan spell at Dover. Picture: Ed Miller/EUFC

His competitive Eagles debut came off the bench in a 1-1 draw against Norwich in 2020 before he started in a 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Derby four days later.

He made one further appearance in the 2019/20 season, coming on in a 4-0 loss to a star-studded Liverpool side.

Since then, Pierrick has played for Kilmarnock and in Denmark with Vejle Boldklub.

He spent some of pre-season with Portsmouth, where he sustained an ankle injury, but he’s now a Dover player.

On Pierrick's debut, Brundle said: “He did fantastically.

“He hasn’t played a lot of football as of late. He got tired towards the end.

“But he brings something different to our armoury, he has electric pace.

“He’s so good in one versus one areas. He has fantastic ability - it’s now time for him to use that ability.

"He started at the top and wants to get back there.

“That’s what sort of player we are after. They can drop down the leagues but he’s humble.

Dover midfielder George Wilkinson comes back into contention for Saturday's home match against Bath. Picture: Stuart Brock
Dover midfielder George Wilkinson comes back into contention for Saturday's home match against Bath. Picture: Stuart Brock

“Brandon’s a humble person, a nice person, and a good character.

"That’s what we want. He can be a huge player for us.

“He’s got something we have not got, which is raw pace. He lasted longer than I thought he would do.

"He has got everything to go back to where he was before. He’s a little gem.”

While midfielder Jordan Higgs bagged the only goal of the game at Taunton, another midfielder, youngster Freddie Oliver, impressed. He was given his chance after Jack Paxman returned to Ebbsfleet following a loan stint at Crabble.

Brundle said: “We had an in-house game on Tuesday, and Freddie did exceptionally well.

"You never know if someone will be ready until you throw them in. He did fantastically on Saturday.

“He’s only 18 and he’s had his chance. Now, it’s up to him to get a consistent performance basis.”

Victory at Taunton extended Dover’s unbeaten run to four matches. They host Bath on Saturday and welcome Cheshunt on Tuesday.

“It’s been good,” Brundle admitted after the Taunton game.

“We are four unbeaten and could have won a couple more. We have changed personnel. Everything I have asked of the boys, they have done.

“You always come up short in certain games but, when they’re doing what we’re asking, you can accept it.”

Brundle also explained the decision to allow young defender Harrison Byford to head to Isthmian South East Faversham on a one-month loan.

“There’s no point having players on the bench all the time,” he said.

“We have players in that position at the minute, performing to a high level.

“These kids just want to play. Harrison did well at the weekend.

"There’s a couple of players that are starting to lose fitness, which is why they need game time.”

On-loan Crystal Palace defender David Boateng (groin) is a couple of weeks from a return but midfielder George Wilkinson (knee) could come into contention.

Dover beat high-flying Havant 1-0 on Tuesday to extend their unbeaten run to five fixtures.

Returning wideman Luke Wanadio scored in the 78th minute after good work by substitute Noah Carney.

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