Report by Jon Green

It was billed as a possible title decider as soon as the fixtures were announced and the build up in the week cited the game would be a classic. All in all though it was a bit of a damp squib as Rovers uncharacteristically didn’t turn up and Torpoint managed the game well.

The desire to win a game that has been so prominent since Martin Lenihan and Jack Dancey took over, seemed to desert Paulton as they looked nervous and very out of sorts from the start. Things weren’t helped when Tom Bradley had to be replaced in the 17th minute due to injury.

However, Rovers were still in the game up until the 34th minute and realistically there had only been one opening each for either team. A shot over the bar by the hosts and a shot from a tight angle that went wide by Will Osborne.

And then the decisive twenty minutes unfolded. Sam Pearson was fed the ball by Curtis Damerell and he seemed to have time to take a touch and slot the ball into the right corner.

Disaster struck three minutes later when a long ball over the top caught out the Rovers defence. James Smallcombe charged from his goal but Gary Hird nipped it away from him and was able to roll the ball into an open net.

Torpoint’s third came in added time. A corner was lifted in and played back to Callum Martindale who struck a sweet volley into the net.

Rovers were left reeling and needed a big response if they were to get back into the game. But it was Torpoint that got the first chance narrowly heading over early in the half.

In the 59th minute the visitors grabbed some hope when Brandon Bak nodded in Max Williams corner. The hopes were still slim and despite toiling and never giving in, Torpoint set about managing the game. Rovers were resorting to too many long balls that the hosts defence lapped up.

The final thirty minutes didn’t see much goalmouth action for either team and Torpoint played out the game in control and deserved the win.

It was disappointing after so much good work had been done to get Rovers in touching distance of the title. It was the first game they had lost in the league since October; a feat that should be remembered as the club go into the playoffs on Saturday.