Torquay United 3-3 Bristol Rovers (League Two)

Return of the Matt!

Matt Harrold performed the perfect comeback appearance after 7 months on the sidelines by netting a 94th minute equaliser away at Torquay United. The striker nodded over the oncoming Michael Poke to seal a final day point for Rovers and ensure that John Ward's boys reached the 60 point target he had set earlier in the year. It was a rollercoaster encounter on the English Riviera with 5600 supporters packed inside Plainmoor to enjoy it. Both sides showing good finishing to capitalise on atrocious defending and Gasheads and Gulls were united at full-time in celebrating their respective successes.

I doubt many would have predicted 6 goals in this one before kick-off but in the glorious sunshine that was exactly what we got. The ground had Gasheads everywhere you looked. We'd sold out the away terrace and pockets of Bristolians could be seen around the home areas too, it was incredible considering the game was a 'dead rubber' from our perspective. It took a while for the game to become worthy of the tremendous support but the away goal we were all hoping for came half an hour into proceedings. Fabian Broghammer nipped in to nick the ball over the Torquay defence allowing Tom Hitchcock to run through and lob Poke from 15 yards. The celebrations were, as you would expect, manic and it brought to light just how many Roves fans were present as none of them attempted to cover the identity! There were no further incidents in the first half (that I can remember, I was half cut!) but the game exploded in to life after the break.

Within seconds Rovers were awarded a penalty by referee Darren Deadman as he adjudged Brian Saah to have pushed Hitchcock on the byline. Lee Brown wrestled the ball off a keen Ryan Brunt after pointing out it was his role and he prepared himself to take the spot-kick. The left back stepped up coolly but saw his feeble rolled effort easily saved by Poke and the ball was then cleared away to safety. He hit it as he has his other efforts this year, with little conviction, but if he is unable to deceive the goalkeeper then it's always likely to be saved. That's how it turned out and the two goal cushion we needed to obtain control of the match didn't come. It lifted our hosts and they began to exert some pressure on Steve Mildenhall's goal. Minutes later they forced the equaliser when Elliot Benyon, formerly of Bristol City, swivelled in the box to fire low into the bottom corner. It was game on from this point and both sides went all out to seize the initiative. Just 3 minutes later the ball hit the net again and it was Ryan Jarvis who scored it. Not for his Torquay side though. A Broghammer free-kick was inexplicably headed towards his own goal by Jarvis and it looped over Poke into the top corner. The team enjoyed the celebrations in front of the travelling supporters but were then required to defend resolutely. They did so for 5 minutes but the Torquay pressure eventually told and Jarvis made amends for his OG with a right footed finish from 8 yards. Rovers were rocking and more slack defending then allowed Benyon to slide home from 6 yards out when the ball was passed across Mildenhall's goal.

For the first time in the match we were trailing and it required a magnificent effort to overcome the home side's new found confidence. Neat inter-play on the right wing caused them a few problems and they started to show their defensive frailties once again. Aaron Downes was being given the runaround by Hitchcock and Brunt was fighting for every ball. The strikers had worked tirelessly and Ward withdrew both to give others a chance to shine. Oumare Tounkara came on but the introduction we all craved to see however was that of Matt Harrold after his injury lay-off. With just over 10 minutes left to play Ward rewarded the fit again Harrold by bringing him on as we searched for an equaliser. His name rung around Plainmoor by the Rovers fans as we were just delighted to see him back out on the pitch. We expected nothing more.

The script, which so often in football throws up some wonderful surprises, contrived to give Harrold his fairytale return. Michael Smith lofted a ball in to the box with seconds left and Harrold leapt above Poke to head over the line for 3-3. Cue pandemonium on and off the pitch with supporters, players and club staff madly cheering the extraordinary last-gasp equaliser. The delight was totally for Harrold himself though and the forward took his shirt off and was subsequently booked by Deadman. A goal and a booking in 15 minutes is pretty impressive going! It was the perfect end to the season. Our returning favourite rescued a point and ensured we ended the season on a poignant high note which is important going into the summer. Torquay had got themselves safe with a point and their nerve-wracking relegation battle had ended in success. Both sets of supporters could enjoy the sunshine and a drink by the sea. Truly brilliant.

All the focus now is on off the field matters with the club hoping the Sainsbury's section 106 is signed this week and the futures of our out of contract players being decided. Recruitment is the name of the game for Ward and chairman Nick Higgs and with pre-season beginning on June 20 they have 7 weeks to get most of it done and dusted. It'll be interesting, as every close season is, and hopefully it will be just as impressive as the football has been in 2013.