Ryan Walmsley reports on the latest transfer news…
Plymouth Argyle centre-half Jamie Richards has extended his loan spell at Conference Premier strugglers Dartford for the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old defender, who has had previous loan spells with Southern Premier League side Weymouth and in Northern Ireland with Linfield, has started all three games for the Darts since arriving.
Dartford are unbeaten in the trio of games in which they have picked up five important points. The centre-half made his debut in a 2-2 draw against table-topping Bristol Rovers before he helped the Darts to a 3-2 victory over bottom-placed Telford United which was then followed by a 1-1 tie away at Aldershot.
Despite Dartford remaining rooted in the relegation zone, their recent upturn in form has closed the gap to safety to five points with games in hand on teams around them. Before Richards’ arrival, the Darts had lost five straight games – conceding 15 times in that stretch – including a 6-1 hammering at the hands of Dover Athletic.
Five goals have been conceded in the three games since Richards’ arrival: certainly not an impenetrable defence, but the youngster’s presence has helped plug enough gaps one of the Conference Premier’s most porous defences.
Not many would have expected Richards’ impact to be so instant and noticeable, but if the Darts can continue to find a way to pick up points, then the Kent club may stave off the threat of relegation.