Lee Mansell’s return to the Launa Windows Stadium proved to
be the mere side-show it probably deserved to be as Bristol Rovers defeated
Torquay United on Boxing Day.
The former Gulls’ skipper, who now wears the captain’s
armband for the Pirates, was part of the Rovers’ supporting cast as the
football on offer took centre stage.
A Matty Taylor strike from 18-yards after eight minutes and
a header from Neale Trotman on the half hour mark set them on their way and
ultimately proved to be decisive.
Duane Ofori-Acheampong pulled a goal back for the Gulls
three minutes later, with an effort that deflected off his heel after the Rovers
keeper Fabian Speiss flapped at a Courtney Cameron cross;
United were denied a
late equaliser through substitute Elliot Benyon that was ruled out for a
dubious offside.However, if the goal had stood then it would have been a
point gained from a Gulls perspective, as the Pirates had dominated the
proceedings in terms of chances created.
The stand-out performers for the Gulls included skipper Luke
Young, who outshone his predecessor Mansell and nearly found an equaliser on 26
minutes with a long-range effort that cleared the cross bar; right-back Durrell
Berry, who produced a solid display on his recall to the side, and teenage
left-back Levi Ives.
