Richards' Lion Heart

THEY say that one man’s misfortune is another man’s gain.

The misfortune of many players, missing out on Argyle’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Aldershot, meant an opportunity for one of the Pilgrims’ young professionals.

Jamie Richards, an 18-year-old academy graduate, was placed in the heart of Argyle’s defence alongside fellow teenager Curtis Nelson in the absence of suspended captain Darren Purse and the injured Max Blanchard.

Jamie gave a confident and assured display in a 2-1 victory for the Greens, and is yet another teenage prospect who has a bright future at Home Park.

“With Jamie he’s still really young,” said Carl Fletcher.  “He’s 18, not 19 until next June.

“We’ve got some young players in the squad, and they can do all the training they like, but you’ll only know about them once they get out there and actually play a game.

“Nelse and Jamie have grown up together through the youth team, played a lot of games together and I think that showed.

“Reid’s played pretty much all of Aldershot’s games, and Hylton is a good front man. It was a proper test, and we’ve come away from it and done well.

“They’ve handled themselves really well tonight, and they should be really happy with their performances.”