Damerell hits four as Torpoint bounce back to form

CURTIS Damerell scored four goals as Torpoint returned to winning ways in style on Saturday by comprehensively beating Bishops Lydeard at The Mill.

After four successive defeats, the Point rediscovered their rhythm and now face Honiton Town at home in the second qualifying round on September 12.

Torpoint opened the scoring on the 15-minute mark when full-back Dave Barker crossed the ball through to Damerell to flick the ball home, with his back turned away from goal, past visiting keeper Joe Hollands.

Seven minutes later Damerell ran through the defence to put Joe Rapson through into the area, but his effort was well saved.

Just before the break, Damerell found Rapson on the edge of the box, he turned two defenders, but his effort went just over the bar.

Four minutes into the second period the hosts doubled their lead. Damerell flicked the ball onto Rapson, who ran through and fired a clinical finish past the keeper.

Minutes later as Torpoint changed gear they extended their lead. A corner by Tom Payne found Damerell at the near post to head home from close-range and make it 3-0.

Just before the hour the visitors pulled a goal back, when Liam Scovell turned a Torpoint defender and crossed to Jake DeMiranda, who blasted into the top corner past home keeper Jamie Dudley.

In the final 30 minutes, the hosts controlled the possession. Rapson’s shot was well saved from 15 yards, then Sam Pearson’s low drive went inches wide of the post from 25 yards.

In the final 10 minutes Rapson ran clear of the visiting defenders, but his effort went just over the bar.

In the first minute of stoppage time, the hosts scored their fourth goal. Good build-up play from Rapson and Josh Jansen found Damerell to blast home a well-taken strike past Hollands, for his hat-trick.

Three minutes later, Torpoint completed their scoring in style and saved the best goal of the afternoon until the end.

Damerell collected the ball 40 yards out and produced a sublime lob over the keeper with a swivel half volley which completed the rout.

Boss Dean Cardew admitted it was great to bounce back from their recent patchy form and hopes they can build on that against struggling Wellington at The Mill on Saturday (3pm).

He said: “It was nice to get back to winning ways on Saturday, but we’re not getting carried away. There are still areas that we know we need to improve on but there were also lots of positives to take, in particular the partnership of Dammers and Joe back as a front two. They were excellent together so long may it continue.

“Hopefully we can take a bit of confidence into our next game on Saturday and try to pick up some more points. It’s another home game and these are the ones that are so important to get results from.”

TORPOINT ATHLETIC: Jamie Dudley; Dave Barker, Sam Hepworth, Sam Morgan (Josh Jansen, 58), Darren Hicks, Elliott Crawford (capt), Tom Payne (Owen Haslam, 87), Sam Pearson, Curtis Damerell, Joe Rapson, Tom Hensman (Gary Hird, 58). Sub not used: Fred Chapman.

Referee: Alan Bassett.

Attendance: 107.

Torpoint Athletic man-of-the-match: Curtis Damerell.