Boyhood Dover Athletic supporter Jordan Gillmore made his bow for the Isthmian Premier leaders on Saturday.
Red-hot forward Ruben Soares-Junior’s brace, alongside strikes by 18-goal top scorer George Nikaj and creative midfielder Alfie Matthews, allowed Whites to come from behind to win 4-1 at Dulwich Hamlet - which was a ninth victory in 11 league matches for Jake Leberl’s side.
But it was in goal where there was a new face at Champion Hill as 22-year-old Gillmore deputised for the sidelined Mitch Walker (knee), ahead of Claudio Boakye-Sarfo.
“He did really nicely,” said Whites boss Leberl, who has been named as November’s Isthmian Premier manager-of-the-month. “He was very confident and assured. He kicks really well.
“Obviously, it was a difficult decision. We still don’t really know what we’re doing with Mitch, although his knee is doing better.
“Claudio has come in and done all right - but it was a big ask. The odd game? Maybe, but, for someone who hasn’t really played at the level, it’s a big ask to do much more than that.
“We did weigh up some loan keepers but there was just something about this lad. He was in just before Mitch first got injured, and Brunds (ex-boss Mitch Brundle) even had him in pre-season last year.
Two-goal Dover man makes team-of-the-week
“He used to watch on the terraces with his grandad so I thought he’d get the feeling of the club. I knew he was a local boy but not that he was a Dover fan.
“Barnet gave him a four-year deal but he had a falling-out there. Then, he went to Welling and had an absolute nightmare. He kicks well and, hopefully, we can get him to stay around.
"I’m really pleased for him.”
Dover’s unbeaten run did appear as though it was going to come under threat early on
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