Brandon Pierrick pinpoints where Crystal Palace lost FA Cup tie against Derby County

BY SAM SMITH

Crystal Palace teenager Brandon Pierrick felt his side’s FA Cup tie against Derby County was lost in the first half.

Pierrick, 18, made his full debut against the Rams after a cameo appearance against Norwich City on New Year’s Day. Chris Martin’s first half goal knocked out the Eagles in the third round.

“The club has been really good to me, ever since I was a player in the academy. So today, to get my first start and pay them back was a plus to me. We had good spells in the first half but we also were very passive and we weren’t aggressive enough to get tight to players. We lost the game in the first half but we tried in the second half.

“It felt good to play in front of the fans. It was a massive achievement for me but it was disappointing to not get the win.”

Chances for Pierrick and Palace’s other youngsters have come as a result of an injury crisis, and the academy graduate has encouraged his peers to take their chances in the first team.

“It’s disappointing that there are loads of injuries but it has been given us young players a chance in the squad, to travel and get minutes. There are chances for us so we have just got to be prepared.”