PAULTON Rovers’ slim chances of reaching a play-off spot in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League were virtually ended as they succumbed to a crushing 5-0 home defeat at the hands of Torpoint Athletic.

After an impeccably observed minute's silence for ex-Rovers secretary, Keith Simmons, the game got underway. It was a slow start from both teams as they struggled to make clear openings. It was a pattern that would dog Rovers in particular for the rest of the game. The first attempt Rovers secured was a shot from outside the box in the 14th minute by Will Hailston but it was an easy take for Ryan Rickard in the Torpoint goal. That was followed by a shot from a tight angle by George Fowler a minute later which went narrowly wide.

Milo Murgatroyd was being his usual tricky self and in the 20th minute danced around two defenders but his shot was deflected wide. Moments later though, Torpoint forced a corner from which Jack Farion was unlucky to turn into his own net. It was a blow to the hosts who had created the better of the chances up until that point.

The rest of the half played out without much excitement, although Rovers' best chance of the game fell in the 45th minute. Milo Murgatriyd had a shot parried over the bar and from the corner, Jack Dancey had a header deflected just wide. The next corner saw another header cleared off the line.

Rovers needed a big second half performance, and an early chance for Will Hailston which he put over the bar gave the home support some hope. But it wasn't to be as Torpoint added a second in the 51st minute when Curtis Damerell was allowed to cross the ball in for a relatively easy tap in for Gary Hird.

It was a big blow to Rovers who were now struggling to gain any momentum going forward with Torpoint seemingly easily snuffing out any attacks. Ten minutes after the second, the visitors were three up when James Rowe was allowed the time and space to shoot from distance with the ball ricocheting in off the far post.

Rovers were shellshocked and never really ever looked like getting a foothold into the game at all and the fourth came in the 81st minute as Ryan Richards broke free and beat Dan Jackson with another shot from distance. Rovers followed with a short spell of pressure as Will Hailston got another shot away that was easy for the keeper to take. As Rovers pushed, the almost inevitable happened as Richards was allowed to break again and fire home in added time.

Jon Green